E-scooter accident claims – what you need to know if you’ve been involved in an e-scooter collision

E-scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport in our towns and cities and their popularity is only set to increase. Unfortunately, this means accidents involving e-scooters are also likely to increase. There have already been a number of serious and fatal accidents involving e-scooters, and unfortunately my local area – Avon & Somerset – recently accounted for the largest number of collisions outside of London.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, involving an e-scooter, our team of specialists will be able to guide you through the claims process.

The law around e-scooters is still developing meaning you might not know where you stand regarding compensation if you have been injured. Our specialists are experts in acting for road users who have sustained serious and fatal injuries and they will be able to advise you fully on the position of making claim for compensation.

How common are e-scooter accidents in the UK?

E-scooter accidents resulting in injury are still relatively rare at just over 1% of the total road injuries when data was last available. In 2021 there were 1,434 casualties from e-scooter collisions, out of a total 128,209 casualties on our roads that year.

However, increased use as well as more people being out on our roads following the pandemic means that e-scooter collisions are on the up. In 2021 the number of collisions involving e-scooters was up 193% on the previous year.

Are e-scooters legal in the UK?

Rental e-scooters as part of the Government trial are legal on public roads and cycle lanes, provided you have the correct driving licence and follow road traffic regulations. At present, these are the only e-scooters that are allowed and legal to be ridden on UK roads and cycle lanes.

Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to ride on public highways. You can only ride privately owned scooters on private land with the landowner’s permission. Ownership of an e-scooter is legal though.

Will police stop me on my e-scooter?

If you are caught by the police riding a privately-owned e-scooter on public highways, you risk being issued with a fine, penalty points and/or the e-scooter being seized.

Are e-scooters insured?

Operators of rental e-scooters are obliged to provide an insurance policy as part of the rental agreement with the rider.

Do privately owned e-scooters need to be insured to be road legal in the UK?

As privately owned e-scooters are illegal on public highways, there is currently no insurance cover available.

You may be able to cover the e-scooter under a household insurance policy for example for theft and/or damage, but not for use on a public highway.

What to do if you’re involved in an accident involving an e-scooter

If you are involved in an accident involving an e-scooter, the steps you should take are similar to those if you are involved in any other road traffic accident:

1. Obtain the other party’s full name, address, contact details, insurance details and/or rental operator booking confirmation details.
2. Obtain contact details of any witnesses to the accident.
3. Take photographs of the accident, injuries and damage.
4. Report the accident to the police, your insurer and/or rental operator.

If you have been injured as a result of the accident, it’s advisable to get in touch with a specialist personal injury solicitor as soon as possible after an accident so they can advise you on your options.

Find out more about road traffic accident claims here >

How much compensation will you receive for an e-scooter accident claim?

If liability is established, the amount you receive will depend on the extent of your injuries and the amount of your financial losses (to date and in the future).

When the time comes to assess the value of your claim, we will undertake thorough research before advising you. We will be happy to obtain part payments towards your claim as it progresses in case you need money for particular expenses, such as medical treatment or travel expenses.

You can find out more about the process of making a claim and the amount of compensation you’ll receive by reading our guide to personal injury claims here.