Based on reporting by Glasgow Times, 12 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to Glasgow Times, a woman in her early 20s was critically injured in a road collision on the A736 Lochlibo Road at its junction with the B778 Bloak Road in Ayrshire. The incident is reported to have taken place at approximately 7.10am on Friday, 11 September 2026, during the morning rush hour. One vehicle, described as a blue Ford Mondeo, was involved.
Emergency services attended the scene, and the road was closed for a period to allow collision investigators to carry out their work, as reported by Glasgow Times. The injured woman was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where her condition was described as critical by medical staff.
Police Scotland issued a public appeal for witnesses and urged any motorists who were travelling on the A736 around the time of the incident to come forward. Officers specifically requested that drivers check any dashcam footage that might help establish the full circumstances of the collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0531 of 11 September 2026.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When a person is seriously injured in a road traffic collision in Scotland, they may be entitled to seek compensation through the civil courts or via an insurance claim. The process is governed by Scots law, which differs in several respects from the law that applies in England and Wales.
In incidents of this kind, liability often depends on the findings of the collision investigation and, where relevant, the conclusions of any police inquiry. A claim may be pursued against the insurer of a vehicle involved in the accident. Where a vehicle is uninsured or the driver cannot be traced, the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) operates a compensation scheme that can cover injured parties in Scotland.
It is important to note that reporting or investigating a collision does not by itself establish civil liability. Any question of fault must be assessed separately, on the basis of the evidence available. In serious cases involving critical injuries, gathering that evidence early, including witness accounts, dashcam footage and police reports, can be particularly important to a claim.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, injured persons generally have three years from the date of the accident to raise a court action for personal injury compensation. Missing this deadline can result in losing the right to claim altogether, so it is advisable to take legal advice as early as possible.
There are some exceptions to the three-year rule. Where the injured person lacks legal capacity, for example due to the severity of their injuries, the three-year period may not begin to run until capacity is regained. In cases involving children, the time limit typically begins on their 16th birthday. Courts also retain a discretion to allow a late claim in certain circumstances, though this is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
What compensation can cover
In a successful personal injury claim in Scotland, compensation is typically made up of several distinct heads of loss. These can include:
- Solatium - this is the element of compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injuries themselves. In cases of critical injury, solatium awards can be substantial.
- Loss of earnings - where injuries prevent a person from working, either temporarily or in the longer term, past and future lost income can be claimed.
- Care and assistance - if an injured person requires help with daily tasks, whether from professional carers or from family members, the reasonable cost of that care can form part of a claim.
- Medical and rehabilitation costs - expenses for treatment, therapy, aids, adaptations to a home or vehicle, and other medical costs may be recoverable.
- Travel and other outlays - reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of the injury, such as travelling to hospital appointments, can also be included.
Compensation is intended to be restorative rather than punitive, reflecting the actual impact of the injury on the individual's life. In cases of very serious injury, a specialist legal team will often instruct medical and other expert reports to properly quantify the full extent of past and future losses.
One point worth knowing is that the level of compensation you ultimately receive can also be affected by the fees your legal representative charges. Many Scottish firms deduct up to 20% of the final settlement as a success fee. Scotland Claims operates on a 0% success fee basis, meaning clients keep 100% of any compensation awarded.
Frequently asked questions
Can a person make a claim if they were the driver of the vehicle involved?
In some cases, yes. Whether a driver can claim compensation depends on the specific circumstances of the accident and the findings of any investigation into liability. A driver injured through no fault of their own, or only partly at fault, may still have a valid claim. Legal advice should be sought to assess the particular facts of any given case.
What if the injured person is in a critical condition and cannot instruct a solicitor themselves?
Where a person lacks capacity due to the severity of their injuries, a family member or other appointed representative may be able to take steps on their behalf. The three-year time limit may also be treated differently in these circumstances under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. Taking early advice is strongly recommended.
How does a claim proceed if Police Scotland are still investigating the collision?
A civil compensation claim and a police investigation are entirely separate processes. A civil claim can be pursued independently of any criminal proceedings or police inquiry. Evidence gathered during the investigation, including collision examiner reports, may later become relevant to a civil case.
What is the Motor Insurers Bureau and when does it apply?
The Motor Insurers Bureau is a UK body that compensates victims of road accidents where the responsible driver is uninsured or has fled the scene and cannot be identified. If a collision investigation concludes that another uninsured or untraceable party was involved, the MIB may provide an avenue for compensation in Scotland.
Does it matter that the accident happened on a public road at a junction?
The location of a collision, including road type, junction design and road conditions, can all be relevant factors when investigating the circumstances of an accident. In some cases, responsibility may extend beyond the drivers involved to include roads authorities, though any such consideration would depend entirely on the specific facts and evidence gathered.
Based on reporting by Glasgow Times, 12 September 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.