This page refers to the 2024-2025 edition of When someone dies in a road crash: Information and advice for bereaved families and friends following death on the road in Scotland.

When someone dies in a road cash (2024-2025 edition)

Information and advice for bereaved families and friends following death on the road in Scotland

Contents

Introduction

Includes information about how to use this guide and your right to support

Section 1: What happens now?

Things that often happen in the first few days after a fatal crash. Includes information about organ and tissue donation; seeing and identifying a body; post-mortem examinations; return of personal belongings; finding out what happened in the crash.

Section 2: Practical issues

Practical issues that often come up after a road crash. Includes information about informing people; burials or cremations; legal and financial issues; dealing with the media; memorials; what to do if the crash happened abroad.

Section 3: Criminal investigations and charges

Includes information about: the police investigation; the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service; Victim information and advice services; charging someone; criminal offences..

Section 4: Court cases

Includes information about: attending court; being a witness in court; support in court; court procedures; verdicts and sentencing; appeals; prisoner release; Fatal Accident Inquiries.

Section 5: Can I claim compensation?

Includes information about: whether you can claim money for your loss; instructing a solicitor to pursue a claim for compensation; types of compensation; starting and negotiating a claim.

You can also read a short book about coping with grief when someone you love is killed in a road crash.

This book aims to help you cope and protect your mental and physical wellbeing.

It is based on the experiences of many people bereaved in a sudden or shocking way, and what helped them.

Click on the link below to download.

Coping with grief when someone you love is killed in a road crash

Download the book

Other essential information

Organ and tissue donation

Organ and tissue donation is possible after some deaths

Read more

Useful organisations

Get help from organisations that help road victims

Read more

Get help if a crash happened abroad

How Brake's National Road Victim Service can help you if a crash happened abroad

Read more

Criminal offences

Different offences that someone can be charged with after a crash, and their penalties

Read more

Government agency codes and standards

What you should expect from officials who provide help, information and advice after a road crash

Read more

Legal support

Find an expert solicitor who can help you after a road death or serious injury

Read more

Brake's National Road Victim Service

Get help

If someone you love has been killed or seriously injured in a road crash, Brake is here to help

Fill out this simple form, call 0808 8000 401 or email help@brake.org.uk

Open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm