Based on reporting by The Press and Journal, 15 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to The Press and Journal, two children were taken to hospital following a collision on the A9 near Borgue in the Highlands. The incident was published on 15 October 2026 and involved at least one vehicle on this major Highland route.
As reported by The Press and Journal, an adult was also hospitalised as a result of the crash. No further details about the circumstances of the collision were provided in the report at the time of publication.
Police are understood to have attended the scene, as is standard procedure for road traffic incidents involving injuries on the A9.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When people are injured in road traffic collisions in Scotland, they may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation. Claims of this kind are generally brought against the insurer of the vehicle or vehicles considered to be at fault. In incidents involving multiple vehicles, liability can be shared between more than one party depending on the circumstances.
Where a driver is untraced or uninsured, injured parties in Scotland are not left without recourse. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) exists specifically to handle claims in these situations, ensuring that victims are not denied compensation simply because a responsible driver cannot be identified or does not hold valid insurance.
In incidents of this kind involving child passengers or pedestrians, liability often rests with the driver or drivers whose actions contributed to the collision. Children injured in road accidents are generally considered blameless unless highly exceptional circumstances apply, which means their prospects of recovering compensation are typically strong.
Claims are usually handled under Scots law and governed by the principles set out in the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, which covers both solatium (compensation for pain and suffering) and patrimonial loss (financial losses flowing from the injury).
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, most personal injury claims in Scotland must be raised within three years of the date of the accident. If a claim is not brought within this period, it will ordinarily be time-barred and the court will not hear it.
However, there is an important and well-established exception where the injured person is a child. The three-year clock does not begin to run until the child reaches the age of 16. This means a child injured in a road accident today would, in most circumstances, have until their 19th birthday to raise a claim in their own right. A parent or guardian may also raise a claim on a child's behalf before that point.
For the adult injured in this incident, the standard three-year rule applies from the date of the collision. It is advisable not to leave matters until the deadline approaches, as gathering medical evidence and witness information becomes more difficult with the passage of time.
What compensation can cover
A successful personal injury claim in Scotland can cover a range of losses, both physical and financial. The main heads of claim include:
- Solatium: compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injuries themselves.
- Loss of earnings: where an injured adult has been unable to work, either in the short term or on a longer-term basis.
- Care and assistance: where family members or others have provided help with daily tasks during recovery.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation: costs of physiotherapy, specialist appointments, prescription charges and similar expenses.
- Travel expenses: reasonable costs of travelling to and from medical appointments related to the injury.
- Future losses: in serious cases, compensation can account for ongoing care needs, reduced earning capacity or adaptations required to a home or vehicle.
For child claimants, solatium is the most common head of claim, though care costs provided by parents during the child's recovery may also be recovered. Where injuries affect a child's long-term development or educational progress, further heads of loss may apply.
It is worth knowing that at Scotland Claims, clients receive 100% of any compensation awarded. Unlike many Scottish firms that deduct up to 20% of a settlement as a success fee, our model applies a 0% success fee, meaning every penny of your award stays with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can a parent claim on behalf of a child injured in a road accident in Scotland?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can bring a claim on behalf of a child who lacks legal capacity to act for themselves. Any settlement reached on behalf of a child must be approved by the court to ensure it is in the child's best interests. Alternatively, the child may bring their own claim after turning 16.
What if the driver responsible was uninsured or fled the scene?
In Scotland, claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers can be made to the Motor Insurers' Bureau. The MIB operates two schemes covering these situations and ensures that injured parties are not left without a route to compensation simply because a responsible driver cannot be identified or does not hold valid cover.
How long does a road traffic accident claim take to settle in Scotland?
Timescales vary depending on the complexity of the injuries and whether liability is disputed. Straightforward claims where liability is admitted may resolve within several months. More serious cases, particularly those involving children or significant ongoing injuries, can take considerably longer to reach a fair settlement that fully accounts for future needs.
Does a claim have to go to court?
The majority of personal injury claims in Scotland are settled out of court through negotiation between the claimant's representative and the defender's insurer. Court proceedings may be raised to protect against the time limit expiring or to apply pressure, but most cases resolve before a full hearing takes place.
What evidence is useful after a road accident in Scotland?
Useful evidence includes photographs of the scene and any vehicles involved, contact details for witnesses, a copy of the police incident reference number, medical records and GP or hospital letters, receipts for any expenses incurred, and a diary of symptoms and their effect on daily life. The sooner this information is gathered, the more straightforward the claims process tends to be.
Based on reporting by The Press and Journal, 15 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.