Based on reporting by STV News, 28 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to STV News, three people were hospitalised following a collision involving three vehicles on the A9 near the Birnam junction, close to Dunkeld and Birnam railway station, on the afternoon of Monday 28 September 2026. Emergency services were alerted shortly before 3pm, with Police Scotland and fire crews both attending the scene. A fire service spokesperson confirmed that four appliances were deployed to assist.
As reported by STV News, the A9 was closed in the aftermath of the crash, causing significant queues that did not ease until around 6pm that evening. The three individuals involved were taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for treatment. Police Scotland have confirmed that enquiries into the full circumstances of the collision remain ongoing, and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
Multi-vehicle collisions on busy trunk roads such as the A9 can give rise to personal injury claims under Scots law. Where a person suffers injury as a result of another party's driving, they may be entitled to seek compensation through that driver's motor insurance policy. In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with the driver, or drivers, whose actions contributed to the collision, though establishing fault is a matter for investigation and, where necessary, the courts.
Because this incident involved three vehicles, questions of liability may be more complex than in a straightforward two-vehicle crash. Each driver's insurer will typically investigate the circumstances, and it is possible for liability to be shared between more than one party. Anyone injured in such a collision is entitled to pursue a claim regardless of which vehicle they were travelling in, including passengers, who are generally not considered at fault.
Claims of this type in Scotland are handled through the civil courts, most commonly the Sheriff Court, or by negotiated settlement with the relevant insurers. Instructing a personal injury specialist familiar with Scots law is advisable, particularly where injuries are serious or where liability is disputed.
Time limits
In Scotland, the right to bring a personal injury claim is governed by the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. As a general rule, a claim must be raised within three years of the date on which the injury occurred, or the date on which the injured person became aware that their injury was attributable to another party's act or omission. For this incident, that three-year period would run from 28 September 2026.
There are limited exceptions to this rule. Where an injured person lacks legal capacity, for example due to serious cognitive injury, the three-year period may not begin to run until capacity is regained. For children injured in road accidents, the three-year clock typically starts from their eighteenth birthday. Courts also retain a discretion to allow late claims in exceptional circumstances, though this is never guaranteed and should not be relied upon. Anyone affected by a collision of this kind is strongly advised to take legal advice promptly, well before the three-year deadline approaches.
What compensation can cover
A successful personal injury claim following a road traffic accident in Scotland can cover a range of losses, both financial and personal. The main categories include:
- Solatium - a payment for pain, suffering and loss of amenity arising from the physical and psychological effects of the injury.
- Loss of earnings - compensation for income lost during recovery, and for any future reduction in earning capacity if injuries have a lasting effect on ability to work.
- Care and assistance - where an injured person requires help at home from a family member or professional carer, the cost of that care can be recovered.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation - reasonable costs of physiotherapy, specialist consultations, medication and other treatment not available through the NHS, or where private treatment would speed recovery.
- Travel expenses - costs incurred travelling to medical appointments or for other journeys made necessary by the injury.
- Vehicle damage and related losses - where a vehicle was damaged in the collision, repair or replacement costs and the cost of a hire vehicle may also be recoverable.
Compensation awards are assessed individually and depend on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained. It is worth noting that clients who pursue their claim with us keep 100% of any compensation awarded. Unlike most Scottish personal injury firms, which deduct up to 20% of a client's damages as a success fee, we charge a 0% success fee, meaning every penny of the award goes directly to the person who was injured.
Frequently asked questions
Can a passenger in one of the vehicles claim compensation?
Yes. Passengers injured in road traffic accidents are almost never considered to be at fault, and are generally entitled to make a claim against the driver, or drivers, responsible for the collision. The claim would typically be made against the relevant driver's motor insurer. Being in any one of the three vehicles involved does not affect a passenger's right to pursue compensation.
What if the driver at fault does not have insurance?
In Scotland, uninsured driver claims can be made to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which exists to compensate people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers. The MIB process has specific procedural requirements, so early legal advice is important to ensure the claim is properly constituted and submitted within the relevant time limits.
How long does a road accident claim take to resolve in Scotland?
Timescales vary considerably depending on the complexity of the case. Where liability is admitted early and injuries are straightforward, a claim may settle within several months. Where liability is disputed, or injuries are serious and prognosis is uncertain, cases can take considerably longer. It is generally advisable not to settle a claim until the full extent of recovery, or any permanent effects, is understood.
Do I need to wait for the police investigation to finish before making a claim?
No. A civil compensation claim is separate from any criminal or police investigation and can proceed in parallel. You do not need to wait for Police Scotland to conclude its enquiries before instructing a solicitor or beginning the claims process. Evidence gathered during a police investigation may, however, be relevant to establishing liability in the civil claim.
What if I was partly responsible for the accident?
Under Scots law, a person who is partly at fault for an accident is not necessarily barred from recovering compensation. The principle of contributory negligence may apply, meaning any award could be reduced by a proportion reflecting the injured person's share of responsibility. Legal advice will help clarify how this might affect the value of a claim in any particular set of circumstances.
Based on reporting by STV News, 28 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.