Car crash news
16/01/2012

Police chiefs award drivers with road accident compensation

Two Scottish drivers have been awarded road traffic accident compensation from police after suffering injuries in car accidents involving police vehicles.

The police have paid out a total of £35,000 in compensation to the two victims, £22,500 of which was awarded to a 37-year-old driver whose car was hit by a police van on an emergency call in November 2007.

The driver, from West Lothian, sustained whiplash and severe injuries to her face which left her with disfiguring scars, needing surgery. Lawyers for the police force originally blamed the woman for the accident when she launched a compensation claim for £75,000. They claimed that she would have seen the police van in her mirror if she had checked, adding that despite the inactive siren its flashing lights were in use.

The remaining £12,500 was awarded to another driver who was victim to a car crash with a police vehicle. The 33-year-old had been driving on Gilmerton Road when her Peugeot was hit by a police car in February 2009. The driver suffered serious whiplash injuries and required physiotherapy. Her injuries were so severe she was forced to take four weeks off work.

It has been reported that police were involved in 205 accidents on Lothian roads last year which resulted in eight members of the public suffering injuries.

A police spokesman stated that when accidents occur as a result of police action, they recognise the importance of providing road traffic accident compensation.