Cyclists to sue Edinburgh council for injuries caused by tram tracks

Posted: January 25, 2015

Posted in: Bicycle Accidents Bus Accidents Foot Injuries Head and Brain Injuries Public Place Accidents Public Transport Shoulder Injuries 

Following numerous cases of cyclists severely injuring themselves on Edinburgh’s new tram tracks, a lawyer is taking the City of Edinburgh Council to court. Stewart White said that the council was responsible for the injuries suffered by his 60 clients, and argues that something should be done about it. Injuries caused by the tracks include broken jaws, collarbones and cheekbones, as well as a broken foot after a bus drove over it.

Mr White said the clients he will be representing are only a very small percentage of people that have been injured as a result of the new tram tracks. He has urged all cyclists to report their falls to the council. He said:

“Even if a cyclist is uninjured, I would urge them to report the fall to the council, so we can keep pressure on the council. Cyclists are not being considered as the most vulnerable road user, it’s really frightening stuff.”

Bill of more than £500,000

He said that his clients include a firefighter, a senior police officer, a professor, a teacher, two doctors, a professional golfer, and an advocate. Mr White argues that the design of the tramlines and the lack of warning signs amounts to negligence by the city’s transport authorities.

If the individual claims are successful, claimants could be receiving payouts of up to £10,000. This would mean that the council could face a bill of more than £500,000.

The first test case is due to be heard at the Court of Session by November at the latest.

« Woman dies in hospital blaze
Fife faces huge medical negligence compensation bill »