Based on reporting by BBC News, 22 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to BBC News, six people required hospital treatment following a collision involving three vehicles on Springhill Road in Aberdeen on the evening of Wednesday 22 October 2026. The incident is reported to have occurred at around 5:05pm.
As reported by BBC News, emergency services attended the scene and Springhill Road was temporarily closed to allow police to carry out an investigation. The road has since reopened. Police Scotland confirmed that enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When multiple vehicles are involved in a single collision, establishing liability can be more complex than in a straightforward two-vehicle incident. Under Scots law, any person injured in a road traffic accident may be entitled to make a compensation claim if their injuries resulted from the fault of another road user.
In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with one or more of the drivers involved, depending on the circumstances established by the police investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings. Each driver on a public road in Scotland is required by law to hold valid motor insurance, which means that injured parties typically pursue a claim against the at-fault driver's insurer. Where a driver is uninsured or cannot be traced, the Motor Insurers' Bureau may be able to assist.
With multiple injured parties and more than two vehicles involved, it is also possible for liability to be shared between drivers. In Scots law this is dealt with through the concept of contributory negligence, where the damages awarded may be reduced proportionally if the claimant is found to have contributed to their own injuries.
Time limits
In Scotland, the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 sets a three-year time limit for personal injury claims. This period generally runs from the date of the accident, meaning anyone injured in an incident of this kind would ordinarily need to raise a court action within three years of the date on which the collision occurred.
There are limited exceptions to this rule. Where an injured person did not become aware of their injuries or their connection to the accident until a later date, the three-year period may run from the date of that knowledge rather than the date of the incident itself. For children, the three-year limit does not begin until they turn 16. Courts also have a discretionary power to allow claims outside the limitation period in certain circumstances, though this is not guaranteed and should never be relied upon.
Given that police enquiries are still ongoing following this collision, it is worth being aware that the limitation clock is already running. Taking early legal advice helps to protect your position.
What compensation can cover
A successful personal injury claim in Scotland can cover a range of losses, both financial and non-financial. The main heads of claim typically include:
- Solatium - this is the Scots law term for compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. It reflects the physical and psychological impact of the injuries themselves.
- Loss of earnings - where injuries have prevented a person from working, whether temporarily or on a longer-term basis, past and future lost income can be claimed.
- Care and assistance - if an injured person has required help from family members or professional carers as a result of their injuries, the cost or value of that care can be included.
- Treatment costs - private physiotherapy, specialist consultations, prescription costs and similar expenses are all potentially recoverable.
- Travel expenses - the cost of travel to and from medical appointments related to the injuries can also form part of a claim.
The amount awarded will depend entirely on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained, their impact on the individual's daily life and work, and the evidence available to support each head of loss. Scotland Claims operates on a 0% success fee basis, meaning clients keep 100% of the compensation they are awarded. This is in contrast to many Scottish firms, which deduct up to 20% of a client's damages as a success fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if I was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved?
Yes. Passengers who are injured in a road traffic accident are generally in a strong position to make a claim, as they are rarely found to bear any responsibility for the collision. A claim would typically be made against the insurer of the driver found to be at fault, which could be the driver of the vehicle you were travelling in or another driver involved.
What if the police investigation has not yet concluded?
You do not need to wait for a police investigation to finish before beginning the claims process. Legal advisers can gather evidence independently, and any findings from the police investigation can be incorporated later. Starting the process early helps preserve witness accounts, photographic evidence and medical records.
What if more than one driver was at fault?
In multi-vehicle collisions, liability can be shared between two or more drivers. Under Scots law, each at-fault party's insurer may contribute to the overall settlement. This does not necessarily reduce the total compensation available to an injured person, though the process of apportioning liability between insurers can add complexity to the claim.
How long does a road traffic accident claim in Scotland typically take?
Straightforward claims where liability is accepted early and injuries are not severe can sometimes resolve within a matter of months. More complex cases, particularly those involving serious injuries, disputed liability or multiple parties, may take considerably longer. Your legal adviser should keep you informed of progress throughout the process.
Does it matter that I did not go to hospital immediately after the accident?
Not necessarily. While attending hospital or seeing a GP promptly after an accident creates a useful contemporaneous medical record, a delay in seeking treatment does not automatically prevent a claim. It is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible after any accident, both for your health and to ensure your injuries are recorded professionally.
Based on reporting by BBC News, 22 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.