E-scooter accident compensation claims

What does the law say about e-scooters?

Electric scooters, or e-scooters, are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988, which means that to be used on public roads or in public spaces, you must have a driving licence and the e-scooter must be taxed and insured.

When you rent an e-scooter, operators are required to provide an insurance policy as part of their rental agreement. They can then be used in public, and should be ridden in cycle lanes or by the side of the road, as you would if you were cycling.

Privately owned e-scooters are different. It’s not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters, which means it’s illegal to use them in public. If you do, the police have the authority to seize the scooter for no insurance.

As e-scooters are still relatively new additions to our roads, the law around their use can be quite complex and susceptible to change as the transport gains traction. Inevitably, this is likely to cause confusion around what to do in the case of an e-scooter accident, and you may be left wondering if you can make a claim.

Our e-scooter accident lawyers can advise you on whether you can get compensation for your accident and guide you through this process.

What are the common causes of e-scooter accidents?

As the number of e-scooters on the road increases, so does the number of accidents. E-scooters can reach speeds in excess of 30mph, which can be difficult to control as they have limited braking capacity and riders often don’t wear protective gear.

Pedestrian accidents can occur if you trip over a dangerously parked e-scooter or if you’re hit as a pedestrian by someone riding an e-scooter on the road or pavement.

You might also be injured as an e-scooter rider by another car or vehicle driving negligently on the road. E-scooter riders often have lack of visibility on the road, making them vulnerable to accidents.

You can also make an e-scooter compensation claim if the rental e-scooter you were using was faulty or if the road surface you were driving on is dangerous such as having potholes.

What types of e-scooter accident claims are there?

You can make a claim if you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident as a result of someone else’s negligent behaviour, either while riding an e-scooter, as a pedestrian or if you’ve been injured in a collision with one. A claim may even be brought against the local authority if the road you were riding on had a defect such as a dangerous pothole.

If you’re injured by a rental e-scooter, the scooter rider should have insurance and the process for claiming compensation is the same as if you were hit by a car or motorbike.

If you’re injured by someone riding a private e-scooter, the rider is almost certainly uninsured. However, the lack of insurance doesn’t mean it’s not worth pursuing a claim. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) deals with claims against drivers who don’t have insurance, essentially stepping in and acting as an insurer.

If you’re injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you’re uninsured, you may still be able to make a claim. Case law suggests that not having insurance is not a sufficient criminal offence to stop you from making a claim. In all cases, it’s worth talking to us about your e-scooter accident claim so we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What are the most common injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents?

Similar to pedestrians or cyclists, e-scooter riders are particularly vulnerable road users, and so accidents can have a devastating impact on their daily lives. Some common injuries include:

• Brain damage
• Serious fractures
• Spinal cord injury
• Whiplash

All these injuries can have a significant impact on your quality of life. If you’ve had a serious injury following an e-scooter accident, get in touch today.

How can I make a claim following an e-scooter accident?

If you’ve suffered an e-scooter injury due to someone else’s negligence, you can make an e-scooter accident claim by speaking to one of our expert solicitors, who can help you through this process. You must gather as much evidence as possible through photographs, witnesses and medical reports – get in touch online or by calling 0330 041 5869 so we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What rehabilitation and treatment can I receive as part of my claim?

If you’ve suffered a serious injury, we’ll work with you to get you the high-quality rehabilitation and treatment you need to improve your recovery chances. Early interim payments are a key part of our strategy to avoid financial hardship and make early rehabilitation possible for you while we deal with your case. These payments can help with things you need such as physiotherapy, specialist nursing and house adaptations. We also work closely with charities and organisations that can provide you with additional advice and support if you need it.

Even after we’ve settled your case, our e-scooter injury solicitors will provide you with invaluable advice and support when you need it, at any point in your life.

If you've suffered an injury as a result of an e-scooter accident, contact us today and one of our specialists will be in touch.

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

The law surrounding the use of e-scooters can be complex and continues to evolve as e-scooters become more popular. It’s therefore crucial that you choose e-scooter accident lawyers who specialise in this area of law.

• We’re one of the UK’s largest and leading consumer law firms, with offices nationwide, providing end-to-end services for your legal needs
• We’ve received awards recognising our expertise
• We’re ranked highly in independent legal guides
• We aim to produce the best possible outcome on every case
• We offer No Win No Fee funding so there’s no financial risk to you
• We work closely with a range of charities throughout the UK to provide you with additional support and guidance

If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident, get in touch online or by calling 0330 041 5869 to start your claim today.