Based on reporting by STV News, 27 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to STV News, a cyclist was involved in a collision with a red Vauxhall Corsa on Calder Road, near the Longstone Road roundabout in Edinburgh, at around 8am on Monday 27 October 2026. Police Scotland launched an investigation into the incident.
As reported by STV News, the driver of the vehicle left the scene before officers arrived. A police constable confirmed that enquiries are ongoing and appealed for witnesses to come forward, adding that anyone with dash-cam footage that could assist the investigation should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0523 of 26 October 2026.
Road traffic accident claims in Scotland
When a cyclist is struck by a motor vehicle on a public road, a personal injury claim can potentially be pursued through the civil courts in Scotland. In incidents of this kind, liability often rests with the driver of the motor vehicle, where it can be shown that their driving fell below the standard expected of a reasonable, competent driver. Each case is assessed on its own facts and circumstances, and liability is never assumed.
Where a driver leaves the scene and cannot immediately be traced, a claim may still be possible. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) exists specifically to compensate victims of untraced or uninsured drivers. This is a well-established route for cyclists and pedestrians injured in hit-and-run incidents, and claims are made directly to the MIB rather than to an individual driver or insurer. The MIB process has its own procedural requirements, so obtaining early legal advice is important.
If the driver is subsequently identified and found to have been insured, a claim would ordinarily proceed against their motor insurer. Cyclists, like other road users, are entitled to seek compensation for their injuries and associated losses, regardless of whether they themselves hold any form of insurance.
Claims of this nature in Scotland are governed by Scots law and are pursued through the Scottish civil court system. A no win, no fee arrangement is available for eligible claimants. If you win, our success fee is capped at 18% including VAT, which is below the Scottish statutory maximum, with no hidden extras. Legal costs are recovered from the other side wherever possible.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, a person injured in a road traffic accident in Scotland generally has three years from the date of the accident to raise a court action. Missing this deadline will almost always result in the right to claim being lost entirely, so it is important not to delay in seeking advice.
There are limited exceptions to this rule. Where the injured person is a child, the three-year period does not begin to run until their sixteenth birthday. Where a person lacks legal capacity, the clock may also be paused. In cases involving the MIB and untraced drivers, separate time limits and reporting requirements apply, and these can be considerably shorter, making prompt action especially important.
What compensation can cover
In a successful personal injury claim following a cycling accident, compensation typically includes a number of distinct heads of loss. These are not guaranteed in every case and depend on the evidence available, but may include:
- Solatium - a sum reflecting the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injuries themselves, including any ongoing symptoms or long-term effects.
- Loss of earnings - where the injured person has been unable to work, or has had their earning capacity reduced, past and future income losses may be recoverable.
- Care and assistance - if the injured person has needed help with daily tasks, personal care or household activities as a result of their injuries, the cost or value of that care may be included.
- Medical and rehabilitation treatment - the cost of physiotherapy, specialist consultations, medication or other treatment required because of the injuries.
- Travel expenses - reasonable costs of attending medical appointments or travelling for treatment connected to the injuries.
- Damage to property - in road traffic accident claims, the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged bicycle or other equipment may also be recoverable.
Compensation awards in Scotland are assessed according to Scots law and relevant judicial guidelines. Awards reflect the genuine impact of injuries on the individual and are not inflated figures.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if the driver who hit me left the scene?
Yes. Where a driver cannot be traced, a claim can be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau under its Untraced Drivers Agreement. If the driver is later identified and insured, a claim proceeds against their insurer in the normal way. Early legal advice is important because the MIB process has specific reporting and time requirements.
Do I need to have been wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing to make a claim?
There is no legal requirement for cyclists to wear a helmet or high-visibility clothing in Scotland. However, if a court finds that a failure to wear protective equipment contributed to the severity of injuries, it may reduce the compensation award on the basis of contributory negligence. Each case is judged on its own facts.
How long do I have to make a claim after a cycling accident in Scotland?
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, the general rule is three years from the date of the accident. Exceptions apply for children and people who lack legal capacity. MIB claims involving untraced drivers may have shorter reporting deadlines, so it is important to seek advice promptly.
What if I was partly to blame for the accident?
A claim is not automatically defeated if the injured person is found to have been partly at fault. Under Scots law, the principle of contributory negligence applies, and any compensation award may be reduced by a proportion reflecting the claimant's share of responsibility. Whether and to what extent this applies depends entirely on the evidence in each individual case.
How does a no win, no fee arrangement work for cycling accident claims in Scotland?
Under a no win, no fee agreement, you pay nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is deducted from your award. Our success fee is capped at 18% including VAT, below the Scottish statutory maximum, with no hidden extras. Legal costs are recovered from the other side wherever possible.
Based on reporting by STV News, 27 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.