Edinburgh, like every other city in Scotland, is a hotch-potch of residents, homes and workplaces; cars, trains and bicycles; planes, buses and taxis. There is a lot going on. Accidents are inevitable.
There are no specific statistics to say whether Edinburgh is a more accident prone city than any other, although there are a few factors that are worth mentioning:
- Edinburgh’s tram system is now up and running and this will inevitably result in a few tram-related accidents
- The tram works had a big impact on Edinburgh’s cyclists, who suffered an increase in injuries as a result of the road conditions
- A few cyclists have already been injured as a result of catching their tyres in the grooves of the tram trackway
- Edinburgh is a top tourist destination, particularly during the Edinburgh Festival and at Hogmanay. People who are unfamiliar with the city, its traffic routes and the direction that traffic travels, are at a slightly greater risk of being injured when moving about the city.
If you have suffered a personal injury in Edinburgh, you might be entitled to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. You might also be able to stop the same thing happening to someone else.
Road traffic accidents in Edinburgh
According to Transport Scotland records of road casualties in the City of Edinburgh Highway Authority area, in 2018 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) there were 774 road traffic accident injuries in Edinburgh, with 116 of these proving to be serious and 5 fatal.*
In the previous year (2017) Department for Transport statistics revealed there were 150 road traffic accidents in Edinburgh which resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. Of these, 59 (39%) were suffered by pedestrians, 39 (26%) were suffered by cyclists, 24 (16%) were suffered by motorcyclists, 18 (12%) were suffered by car occupants and 10 (7%) were suffered by “other road users”.**
Of the 150 people killed or seriously injured, 54 were children (6 child fatalities)**.
It is clear that there is still significant work to be done in improving the safety of Edinburgh’s roads.
The most dangerous crossing in Scotland
In 2019 it was reported by Edinburgh Live that the South Bridge Crossing, near Hunter Square, in Edinburgh, is the most dangerous crossing in Scotland. According to police reports, the site was scene of two fatal pedestrians injuries, as well as further minor personal injuries between 2013 and 2017.
Furthermore, the West Port crossing, which is situated at a junction with Lauriston Street, was the scene of two serious pedestrian accidents during the same period. Police reporting notes serious injuries as broken bones, chest injuries, loss of limbs or deep wounds.
There are a further four Edinburgh crossings where pedestrians received slight injuries between 2013 and 2017.
Trams – an ongoing risk
Edinburgh’s tram system has been named as a contributing factor in a number of accidents, injuries and high-profile compensation claims. In 2019 an urgent notice was issued calling for Edinburgh Trams Limited “to increase the sound pressure level of the warning horn fitted to its trams.” Furthermore, it said that “in the meantime, it should consider measures to mitigate risks at locations where audible warnings may be required. In particular, consideration should be given to the appropriateness of the current warning horn or bell as a method of warning to pedestrians using footpath crossings over off-street track sections with high line speeds.”
Any failure by Edinburgh Trams Limited in this regard has the potential to cause injuries, particularly to pedestrians and cyclists and may potentially result in liability for tram accident compensation claims .
Edinburgh Personal Injury Lawyers
Thompsons is Scotland's leading firm of personal injury lawyers, and is rated number one by legal directory “Legal 500”. We are experts in our field, but we also understand that people only seek advice from a compensation solicitor when they have been through a traumatic or painful experience.
Our lawyers are sympathetic and approachable, and are happy to talk to you about your options, free of charge and without obligation.
Worried about making a claim? Give us a call on 0800 0891 331 and talk it through.
* https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/45015/sct05191903161.pdf
** http://www.travelindependent.org.uk/area_187.html
