Sarah Johns has over 8 years of experience evaluating personal injury claims across Scotland. Having reviewed thousands of initial case assessments, Sarah specialises in helping consumers understand the Scottish personal injury claims process and connecting them with specialist, panel-approved solicitors.
Taxis are everywhere in Scotland’s towns and cities. There are black cabs queuing at the stances outside Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley, private hire cars doing the school run, and app-booked rides home after a night out. Most journeys are uneventful. But taxis spend long hours on busy roads, and when something goes wrong, people get hurt.
This guide explains how taxi accident claims work in Scotland. That covers passengers, other road users and taxi drivers themselves.
Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, councils license two kinds of hire car:
For claims, the difference matters less than you might think. Both must be licensed by the council, both drivers must be licensed, and both vehicles must carry insurance for carrying paying passengers. A council can’t grant or renew a licence unless it’s satisfied the vehicle is insured.
In each case, you’re the pursuer, and the person or insurer responsible is the defender.
One advantage of taxi claims is traceability. Every licensed taxi and private hire car in Scotland carries a council licence plate, and every driver carries a badge. If you have the plate number, the council licensing office can identify the operator, and the operator’s insurer can be traced.
App bookings help further. The app records the driver’s name, the vehicle, the time and the route, which makes it hard to dispute that a journey took place.
Note these details at the scene if you can:
1. the licence plate number and the council that issued it
2. the driver’s badge number and name
3. the operator or app used to book
4. the time, route and pick-up point
Compensation in Scotland has two parts. Solatium covers pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Patrimonial loss covers your financial losses:
Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries are valued in Scotland on the medical evidence. The fixed tariff used in England and Wales doesn’t apply here.
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You generally have three years from the date of the accident to raise a court action, under section 17 of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. For children, the three years start on their 16th birthday.
Most claims settle without court. If an action is needed, claims up to £100,000 go to the sheriff court, including the All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh. Higher-value claims can go to the Court of Session.
Taxi claims are usually funded through a Success Fee Agreement.
Yes. Passengers are almost never at fault, and the claim is against the taxi’s insurer or the other driver’s.
Not really. The vehicle and driver still need a council licence and hire-and-reward insurance. The app records also help prove the journey.
The council licensing office or the operator can often identify the vehicle from the time and place.
Licensed vehicles must be insured. If cover was missing, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau may step in.
Simple claims can settle within months. Serious injuries take longer.
Hurt in or by a taxi? Call 0333 3051 337 or start your taxi accident claims in scotland. We’ll tell you plainly where you stand.
General information on Scots law, reviewed 10/Nov/2026. Not legal advice. No outcome is guaranteed.
