QUICK ANSWER
If you were injured as a passenger in a taxi, private hire car or app-booked ride in Scotland, you can almost always claim, because a passenger is almost never at fault. The claim is against the insurer of whichever driver caused the accident — including the taxi driver's own insurer. Taxi drivers injured by another driver can claim too, including their lost fares. Compensation ranges from £1,000 for minor whiplash to £20,000+ for fractures and serious injuries, plus lost earnings. You have 3 years to claim. Scottish Claims Helpline works on a no win no fee basis — complete the short form for a free, no obligation assessment.
Injured in a Taxi? You Have a Strong Claim.
When you get into a taxi or private hire car, you are trusting the driver to get you there safely. If the journey ends in a collision, you have not contributed to the accident in any way, so the question is simply which driver was at fault — and one of them must have insurance that covers you. In Scotland, taxis and private hire cars are licensed by the local council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, and a licensed vehicle must be insured for carrying fare-paying passengers. That means there is always an insurer to claim against when the taxi driver causes the accident.
Scottish Claims Helpline connects you with specialist Scottish solicitors who handle taxi and private hire claims on a no win no fee basis. For the general rules on passenger claims, see our passenger accident claims page.
Taxis, Private Hire Cars and App-Booked Rides
A taxi (a hackney carriage) can be hailed in the street or picked up at a rank. A private hire car must be booked in advance, whether by phone or through an app. For an injury claim the difference rarely matters: both must be licensed and insured for hire and reward, and rides booked through apps such as Uber are private hire journeys covered by the driver's hire-and-reward insurance. If another vehicle caused the crash, you claim against that driver's insurer instead. Either way, you do not need to work out who was at fault before you start — your solicitor does that.
Injuries Getting In and Out, and Wheelchair Users
Not every taxi injury happens in a collision. Passengers are injured when a driver pulls away while they are still getting in or out, when a door is opened into their path, or when the driver brakes harshly. Wheelchair users are at particular risk if the ramp is not deployed properly or the wheelchair is not correctly secured with restraints before the journey. Licensed drivers are expected to know how to load and secure wheelchairs safely, and injuries caused by getting this wrong can be claimed for.
How Much Could You Receive?
Taxi passengers and drivers are compensated on the same basis as any road traffic claim in Scotland — for the injury, plus every financial loss.
| Injury Type |
Typical Award |
| Minor whiplash — resolves within 3 months | £1,000 – £3,000 |
| Moderate soft tissue injuries — 3–12 months | £3,000 – £6,000 |
| Significant injuries — lasting 1–2 years | £6,000 – £10,000 |
| Simple fractures (wrist, ankle, ribs) | £5,000 – £12,000 |
| Complex fractures requiring surgery | £12,000 – £20,000+ |
| Serious injuries (head, spinal, multiple fractures) | £20,000 – £150,000+ |
Based on the Judicial College Guidelines as applied in Scotland. Solatium (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) only — special damages are additional.
That's not all. The figures above cover the injury itself. Your settlement also includes special damages: lost earnings, treatment and physiotherapy costs, medication and travel to appointments. Self-employed taxi and private hire drivers can claim lost fares, proved with tax returns, accounts or app earnings statements, and the cost of hiring a replacement licensed vehicle while their own is off the road.
Who Can Claim?
Passengers can claim against whichever driver was at fault, even if the taxi driver was a friend. Taxi and private hire drivers injured by another motorist can claim for their injuries and lost income in the same way as any other driver. Drivers who are assaulted by a passenger may be able to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Passengers aged 14 and over are responsible for wearing a seatbelt where one is fitted; not wearing one can reduce compensation if it made your injuries worse, but it does not stop you claiming. For drivers' employment rights, see our Uber drivers case study.
Taxi and Private Hire Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A passenger is almost never at fault, so you can claim against the insurer of whichever driver caused the accident — the taxi driver's insurer if the taxi driver was to blame, or the other driver's insurer if they were.
The taxi's insurer. Taxis and private hire cars in Scotland are licensed by the local council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and must be insured for carrying fare-paying passengers, so there is always an insurer to claim against.
Yes. App-booked rides are private hire journeys, and the driver must be licensed and insured for hire and reward. You claim against that insurance if the driver was at fault, or against the other driver's insurer if they caused the crash.
Yes. If another driver caused the accident you can claim for your injuries and your lost fares while you were unable to work, proved with tax returns, accounts or app earnings statements, together with the cost of a replacement licensed vehicle.
It can reduce your compensation if wearing a seatbelt would have prevented or reduced your injuries, but it does not stop you claiming. Passengers aged 14 and over are responsible for wearing a seatbelt where one is fitted.
You have 3 years from the date of the accident to claim under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. For children, the 3 years does not start until their 16th birthday.
How Do I Start My Claim?
Contact Scottish Claims Helpline for a free, no obligation assessment. We will review what happened on your journey and connect you with a specialist Scottish solicitor who handles road traffic claims on a no win no fee basis. It takes 2 minutes and you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds.
About this page: Written by
David Gildea, Claims Manager and qualified Scottish paralegal at Scottish Claims Helpline. Last reviewed: September 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).