Based on reporting by STV News, 7 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to STV News, three people were taken to hospital following a serious four-vehicle collision on the A8 near the BP garage at Ingliston, close to Edinburgh Airport, at around 9.20am on Monday 7 September 2026. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deployed three appliances to the scene, and the Scottish Ambulance Service dispatched three ambulances, two special operations response teams, a paramedic response unit, and a critical care paramedic. All three patients were transported to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, as reported by STV News.
Police Scotland described the crash as "serious" and closed the A8 in both directions, causing significant disruption for commuters and passengers travelling to Edinburgh Airport. Traffic Scotland confirmed a diversion was put in place via the M8 and around to Gogar to allow airport access.
Edinburgh Airport issued a statement advising passengers to allow additional travel time and to contact their airline directly for guidance, as reported by STV News. The airport said it was working closely with emergency services and relevant partners to manage access throughout the day.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When a multi-vehicle collision occurs on a busy arterial road such as the A8, the process of establishing who may be liable for any resulting injuries can be complex. In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with the driver or drivers whose actions caused or contributed to the collision. Every driver on Scottish roads is legally required to hold valid motor insurance, and it is typically through those insurers that compensation claims are pursued.
Where a claim involves more than one vehicle, fault may be shared between parties. This is known in Scots law as contributory negligence, and any award of compensation can be reduced proportionally if the injured person is found to have contributed to their own injuries. A thorough investigation, drawing on police reports, witness accounts, dashcam footage, and physical evidence from the scene, is usually necessary to establish the facts.
For passengers injured in any of the vehicles involved, the position is generally more straightforward. A passenger who had no control over the driving is rarely found to have contributed to a collision, and can typically bring a claim against the insurer of the driver or drivers responsible. Claims are pursued under the law of delict in Scotland, requiring the injured person to show that another party owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach caused their injuries.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, anyone injured in a road traffic accident in Scotland has three years from the date of the accident to raise a court action. This is known as the limitation period. Missing this deadline will ordinarily prevent a claim from proceeding, regardless of how serious the injuries are.
There are limited exceptions to the three-year rule. Where the injured person was under 16 at the time of the accident, the three-year period does not begin to run until their 16th birthday. Where a person lacks legal capacity due to a mental health condition or cognitive impairment, the period may not run at all during that incapacity. Courts also retain a discretionary power to allow late claims in exceptional circumstances, although this is not guaranteed and should never be relied upon.
Even where the three-year window appears to leave ample time, it is advisable to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an accident. Evidence can deteriorate, witnesses' memories fade, and medical records are easier to obtain promptly. Early instruction also allows time to gather the full picture of financial losses and care needs before any settlement is agreed.
What compensation can cover
A successful personal injury claim in Scotland can cover several distinct heads of loss, which are assessed individually and then combined into an overall award.
- Solatium: This is compensation for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by the injuries themselves. The amount depends on the nature and severity of the injury, and Scottish courts use the Judicial College Guidelines alongside their own precedents to set appropriate figures.
- Loss of earnings: Where injuries prevent a person from working, either temporarily or permanently, past and future loss of income can be claimed. This includes loss of bonuses, overtime, and pension contributions where these can be demonstrated.
- Care and assistance: If a person requires help with daily tasks, personal care, or domestic duties as a result of their injuries, the cost of professional care or the value of unpaid care provided by a family member can be recovered.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation: Costs of physiotherapy, psychological therapy, surgery, medication, and other treatment not available promptly through the NHS can be included in a claim.
- Travel expenses: The cost of getting to and from medical appointments, hospital visits, and any additional travel costs arising from the injuries are recoverable.
- Vehicle damage and other out-of-pocket expenses: Where a vehicle has been damaged in the collision, repair or replacement costs, as well as hire car expenses, may form part of a claim.
It is worth noting that when instructing a claims service that operates on a 0% success fee basis, clients keep 100% of their compensation rather than seeing up to 20% deducted by the firm, which is what many Scottish practices charge under a traditional success fee arrangement. Over the course of a substantial award, this distinction can make a meaningful financial difference to the person making the claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can a passenger in one of the vehicles make a compensation claim?
Yes. In Scotland, a passenger who is injured in a road traffic collision can generally pursue a claim against the insurer of the driver or drivers whose negligence caused the crash. Passengers are rarely found to have contributed to the accident itself, so their claims often proceed without any reduction for contributory negligence.
What if I am unsure which driver was at fault?
In multi-vehicle collisions, fault can be shared or disputed. An investigation drawing on police reports, witness statements, CCTV, and dashcam footage helps establish responsibility. Where fault is genuinely unclear, it may still be possible to recover compensation, and in cases involving an uninsured or untraced driver, the Motor Insurers' Bureau provides a route to claim.
How long does a road traffic accident claim take in Scotland?
Straightforward claims where liability is accepted and injuries resolve relatively quickly can settle within several months. More complex cases involving serious or long-term injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take considerably longer. It is generally advisable not to settle until the full extent of the injuries and their long-term consequences are understood.
Will my claim go to court?
The majority of personal injury claims in Scotland are resolved through negotiation and settle without a court hearing. Proceedings may be raised to protect the limitation period or to progress a disputed claim, but most cases conclude by way of a negotiated settlement before a proof diet is required.
Does using a 0% success fee service affect the quality of my claim?
Not at all. A 0% success fee simply means the claims service does not deduct a percentage from the compensation you are awarded. Clients retain 100% of their settlement, compared with the up-to-20% deduction that many Scottish firms apply. The legal process and the quality of advice should be identical regardless of the fee structure used.
Based on reporting by STV News, 7 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.