Coach crash news
16/12/2010

Aberdeen Council to pay coach crash compensation

A Scottish local authority has admitted liability for damage caused in a coach crash with one of its snowploughs on December 23, 2009, although the amount of compensation it will pay is being disputed.

The Stagecoach Bluebird bus, which had three passengers on board, was damaged in the collision on the B993 in Aberdeenshire and the company is claiming that the council should pay £20,000 to cover the cost of hiring a replacement bus as well as the cost of repairs.

The snowplough had slight damage to its tailgate hinges as a result of the collision which occurred when the vehicles tried to pass each other.

Across Scotland, local authorities are said to have paid out more than £10m in damages to victims of road accidents involving their vehicles since 2006.

Lawyers for Aberdeenshire Council's insurers will return to the Sheriff Court in February to contest the amount it will pay for the latest case. A similar incident with a snowplough last year was settled for £20,061.

If any of the passengers in the coach crash had suffered personal injury they would be able to seek compensation for pain, suffering and loss of earnings from the council now that liability for the accident has been established.