Based on reporting by STV News, 23 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to STV News, police in Fife were called to Main Street in Coaltown of Balgonie at around 4.15am on Friday 23 October 2026 after a car collided with a parked vehicle. A teenager, reported to be 19 years old, had been travelling as a passenger in the car involved and was taken to hospital following the incident. His condition was not confirmed at the time of reporting.
As reported by STV News, footage captured from a nearby property reportedly showed a car travelling at speed along the residential street before leaving the road and striking the parked car. Both vehicles are said to have spun out of control on impact. Police Scotland confirmed that enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, who is understood to have left the scene.
Police Scotland said in a statement: "Around 4.15am on Friday, October 23, we received a report of a car crashing into a parked vehicle on Main Street, Coaltown of Balgonie. The passenger, a 19-year-old man, was taken to hospital. Enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver."
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
Being injured as a passenger in a road traffic accident is one of the most straightforward situations in which to pursue a personal injury claim in Scotland. As a passenger, you are almost never considered to bear responsibility for a collision. In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with the driver of the vehicle in which the injured person was travelling, the driver of another vehicle involved, or a combination of both.
Where the at-fault driver has valid motor insurance, a claim is typically made against that insurer. The situation becomes more complicated when a driver has fled the scene and cannot be identified, as appears to be the case here. In such circumstances, the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) exists specifically to compensate victims of untraced or uninsured drivers. The MIB is a UK-wide scheme and is available to injured passengers in Scotland, meaning that the absence of an identified driver does not necessarily prevent a compensation claim from proceeding.
Claims involving the MIB follow a specific process with their own procedural requirements and deadlines, so it is important to seek advice promptly if you believe you may be affected by an incident of this nature.
Time limits
In Scotland, personal injury claims are governed by the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. The general rule is that a claim must be raised in court within three years of the date of the accident, or within three years of the date on which the injured person first became aware that they had suffered a significant injury as a result of the incident.
For claimants who were under the age of 16 at the time of the accident, the three-year period does not begin to run until their 16th birthday. In the case of a 19-year-old, no such extension applies and the standard three-year window from the date of injury would normally govern the deadline.
Claims involving the MIB have additional procedural requirements and their own notification deadlines that sit alongside, and in some cases are shorter than, the statutory limitation period. Missing these deadlines can affect your ability to recover compensation, which is why acting without delay is particularly important in hit-and-run situations.
What compensation can cover
In a road traffic accident claim in Scotland, compensation is intended to reflect both the personal impact of the injuries and any financial losses flowing from them. The main heads of damage typically include:
- Solatium - this is the Scottish legal term for the general damages award covering pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The amount depends on the severity and duration of the injuries.
- Loss of earnings - if the injured person has been unable to work because of their injuries, past and future lost income can form part of the claim.
- Care and assistance - where a family member or friend has provided help with daily tasks during recovery, this can be recognised in the award even if it was given informally and without charge.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation - costs associated with physiotherapy, specialist appointments, prescription charges, or psychological support can be included.
- Travel expenses - the cost of getting to and from hospital, GP appointments, or treatment sessions is also recoverable.
- Future losses - where injuries have a longer-term impact on earning capacity or require ongoing treatment, these future financial consequences can be factored into the settlement.
It is worth noting that some claims services deduct up to 20% of your compensation as a success fee. Scotland Claims charges a 0% success fee, meaning clients keep 100% of whatever they are awarded.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if the driver who caused my injuries has not been found?
Yes. In Scotland, where a driver has left the scene and cannot be traced, you may be able to make a claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau's Untraced Drivers Agreement. This scheme exists to ensure that innocent victims, including passengers, are not left without a remedy simply because the responsible driver has fled.
Does it matter that I was a passenger rather than a driver?
As a passenger, you are in a strong position to bring a claim because you are not considered to have been in control of any vehicle involved. In the vast majority of cases, passengers bear no responsibility whatsoever for a collision, which means your claim is unlikely to be reduced on grounds of contributory negligence unless very specific and unusual circumstances apply.
How long do I have to make a claim in Scotland?
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to raise a court action. For claims involving the Motor Insurers Bureau, additional notification requirements apply and can have shorter timescales, so it is important to seek advice as soon as possible after the incident.
What if my injuries do not seem serious straight away?
Some injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue damage, and psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, may not become fully apparent until days or weeks after the event. The three-year limitation period in Scotland can, in some circumstances, run from the date you first became aware that your injury was attributable to the accident rather than from the date of the accident itself.
Will I have to go to court?
The majority of personal injury claims in Scotland are settled before they ever reach a courtroom. Insurers and the Motor Insurers Bureau regularly negotiate settlements without the need for a formal proof. However, court proceedings may be raised to protect your position against limitation deadlines, and your representative should keep you informed at every stage of the process.
Based on reporting by STV News, 23 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.