Based on reporting by The Press and Journal, 10 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to The Press and Journal, a stonemason from Aberdeenshire was left paralysed following a motorbike accident. The tradesman, who specialises in heritage stone carving, a skill possessed by very few craftspeople, has since had to adapt both his personal life and his working methods significantly as a result of his injuries.
As reported by The Press and Journal, the individual has been working to rebuild his life and continue practising his specialist trade, demonstrating the long and complex journey that serious road accident survivors often face. The publication does not detail the precise circumstances of the collision or attribute responsibility to any party.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When someone is seriously injured in a motorbike accident on a Scottish road, they may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim under Scots law. The legal basis for such a claim typically rests on establishing that another party owed a duty of care and that a breach of that duty caused the injuries sustained.
In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with the driver of another vehicle involved in the collision, though road conditions, vehicle defects or other factors can also be relevant depending on the circumstances. Every case turns on its own facts, and an investigation into the specific evidence is always required before liability can be assessed.
Where a negligent driver is identified, their motor insurer is generally responsible for meeting any damages awarded or agreed. In cases where a driver cannot be traced or is uninsured, the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) operates schemes in Scotland that allow seriously injured claimants to seek compensation even in those more difficult situations.
Serious injury claims, particularly those involving paralysis or permanent disability, are among the most complex in personal injury law. They typically require expert medical evidence, specialist rehabilitation assessments and detailed calculations of future financial losses. Because the sums involved can be very significant, it is important that claimants receive specialist advice early in the process.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, an injured person ordinarily has three years from the date of the accident to raise court proceedings in Scotland. Missing this deadline can result in the right to claim being lost entirely, which makes taking early advice extremely important.
There are some exceptions to the standard three-year rule. Where the injured person lacks legal capacity, for example due to a severe acquired brain injury, the three-year period does not begin to run until capacity is regained or a curator bonis or guardian is appointed. For children injured in accidents, the three-year period generally runs from their 16th birthday rather than from the date of the accident itself.
Even where time appears to be on a claimant's side, delay can make a claim harder to pursue. Witness memories fade, physical evidence disappears and medical records can become more difficult to piece together. Beginning the process promptly gives any claim the strongest possible foundation.
What compensation can cover
In a serious road accident claim involving paralysis or life-changing injury, compensation in Scotland can address a wide range of losses and impacts. These typically include the following.
- Solatium: A sum awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. In cases of permanent paralysis this is substantial, reflecting the profound effect on every aspect of daily life.
- Loss of earnings: Past income lost while unable to work, and future earning capacity where the injured person can no longer pursue their previous occupation or trade. For a specialist tradesperson with rare skills, this calculation can be particularly significant.
- Cost of care and assistance: Professional care costs, as well as the value of unpaid care provided by family members, both historically and into the future.
- Rehabilitation and treatment: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, specialist equipment, home adaptations and any other therapeutic intervention required as a result of the injuries.
- Accommodation and vehicle adaptations: In paralysis cases, it is common for the home to require substantial modification, and a suitably adapted vehicle may also be necessary.
- Travel expenses: Costs incurred attending medical appointments, therapy sessions and court hearings.
Compensation in catastrophic injury cases is intended to place the injured person, as far as money can, in the position they would have been in had the accident not occurred. Awards in paralysis cases can run to very large sums when all heads of loss are properly accounted for.
It is worth noting that at Scotland Claims, clients keep 100% of their compensation. There is a 0% success fee deducted, which contrasts with the up to 20% deduction that many Scottish personal injury firms take from a claimant's award.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if I was the motorcyclist involved in an accident?
Yes. Being the motorcyclist does not prevent you from making a claim. If another road user's negligence caused or contributed to the accident, you may be entitled to pursue a claim against their insurer. Your own conduct and any protective equipment worn may be considered, but an injury does not automatically disqualify you from recovering damages.
What if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Scotland Claims can assist in these situations through the Motor Insurers Bureau. The MIB operates two schemes covering uninsured drivers and untraced drivers respectively, allowing seriously injured motorcyclists to seek compensation even when the responsible driver cannot be identified or does not hold valid insurance.
How long does a serious injury claim take to resolve?
Complex claims involving permanent disability can take several years to conclude. This is because it is important to have a clear picture of long-term prognosis, future care needs and lifetime financial losses before settling. Interim payments can sometimes be obtained to assist with immediate costs and rehabilitation while the full claim proceeds.
Will I have to go to court?
The majority of personal injury claims in Scotland settle without a full court hearing. Negotiations between legal representatives and insurers resolve most cases. However, court proceedings are sometimes raised to protect the claimant's position and to progress matters, and occasionally a proof diet before a sheriff or judge is required.
How is compensation calculated for a specialist tradesperson who cannot return to their original work?
Loss of earnings for someone with a specialist trade is calculated by reference to what they would have earned over their working life, compared with what they are now able to earn. Expert evidence from employment and actuarial specialists is typically used. Rare vocational skills and the associated earning potential are taken into account, which can result in a significant award under this head of loss.
Based on reporting by The Press and Journal, 10 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.