E-scooters (electric scooters) are classed as motor vehicles and are a fairly new way to get around. They are most commonly used in city centres as an alternative to walking, driving, or using public transport. However, E-scooter users are a more vulnerable road user and could be seriously injured if they are involved in an accident. Similarly, if people using E-scooters are driving unsafely, another road user could be hurt.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about making an E-scooter accident claim. At first, we discuss the eligibility criteria that needs to be fulfilled to be able to claim compensation after a road traffic accident. We then discuss the legislation on using E-scooters on the roads in the UK.
After this, we explore some examples of how different types of E-scooter accidents could occur and what injuries could be suffered. Moreover, we explain how compensation for E-scooter claims is calculated and how long you have to begin claiming compensation before the time limit runs out.
To conclude, we explain how beneficial No Win No Fee agreements can be and how a specialist personal injury solicitor from our panel could potentially offer you one.
Claiming compensation for accidents involving E-scooters can be a tricky process, especially if you have no legal expertise. As such, you could benefit from getting in touch with our team. It is free of charge to get in touch with us and have a chat with a helpful advisor. An advisor could talk to you about your claim eligibility and answer any questions you may have:
- Call 0161 696 9685.
- Send off an online enquiry form.
- Chat in our on-screen live support feature.
Jump To A Section
- Can You Claim For An E-Scooter Accident?
- Are Electric Scooters Legal In The UK?
- Types Of E-Scooter Accidents
- How Much Could You Claim For An E-Scooter Accident?
- We Can Help With No Win No Fee E-Scooter Accident Claims
- Learn More About Road Traffic Accident Claims
Can You Claim For An E-Scooter Accident?
All road users and motor vehicle drivers owe a duty of care to one another while using the road. To prevent road traffic accidents and uphold their duty of care, they must all use the roads lawfully by adhering to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Highway Code. A failure to do so could result in a road user suffering harm in an accident involving an E-scooter.
However, if you want to claim for an E-scooter accident, you will need to fulfil these eligibility criteria:
- Another road user owed you a duty of care to prevent injury and damage while navigating the roads.
- That road user was negligent and breached their duty of care, such as through unsafe driving.
- This breach caused you to be injured in a road traffic accident.
Additionally, E-scooter accident claims must be started within 3 years from the date that the injury was suffered. But, there are a couple of circumstances in which this time limit will be put on hold. Please speak to an advisor to find out more.
Can You Claim As A Rider Involved In An Accident?
If you are a rider of an E-scooter that was injured, you could be eligible to claim compensation against a negligent third party.
You may have been hit by another motorist, such as a van driver, as they were driving without due attention. Or, you may have lost control of an E-scooter if the scooter was poorly maintained and broken.
You can also claim as a rider of another vehicle, such as a motorbike, For example, you may have had a side-on collision with an E-scooter user if they did not stop at a junction.
Can You Claim As A Pedestrian Hit By A Scooter?
If you are a pedestrian who has been hit by an E-scooter, you could be eligible claim compensation against a negligent E-scooter user.
You may have been hit by an E-scooter user while walking on a zebra crossing or the path because the user did not stop or was using the scooter where they weren’t supposed to.
Are Electric Scooters Legal In The UK?
Yes, electric scooters are legal to own and use in the UK. However, private E-scooters may be used only on private property with the land owner’s permission, otherwise it is illegal to use them. In contrast, rental E-scooters can be used on public roads and cycle paths.
However, there are certain restrictions, rules and guidance provided by the Metropolitan Police which must be obeyed in order to use an E-scooter, just like any other motor vehicle. These are:
- You must meet the minimum age limit.
- You must have at least a provisional driving licence that is category Q or P/M.
- With the rental company which you are renting an E-scooter from, you must have an account.
- You must not use an E-scooter while under the influence of alcohol.
- E-scooters must not be used on a motorway or a path.
- You must not ride through a red light.
- You must not use a mobile phone or other handheld device.
Additionally, the rental companies that own rental E-scooters must have insurance themselves. So, when you are using a rental E-scooter, you should already be covered by insurance.
How Common Are Scooter Accidents?
The national statistics from the Department for Transport for the reported road casualties involving E-scooters in Great Britain show that in 2022, there were 1,402 collisions involving E-scooters. This was more than in 2021, which saw 1,352 collisions.
A considerable percentage of these collisions involved serious injuries: 440 reported cases, compared to 1,040 slightly injured. These figures are only estimates.
Types Of E-Scooter Accidents
As we have previously discussed, E-scooter accidents can be caused by E-scooter users, pedestrians, and other road users, depending on the type of accident and who is liable.
Here are a few more in-depth examples of how someone could be injured in an E-scooter accident from another third party being negligent:
- A car driver is over the legal alcohol limit and is therefore drunk driving. They drove straight into the back of an E-scooter rider as they failed to stop at the red light where the scooter rider was waiting. The rider suffered brain damage or other head injuries from the force of the collision.
- An E-scooter rider is riding on a path, where they aren’t supposed to be. They ride into a pedestrian who is walking on the path. The pedestrian suffers a fractured or broken bone, as well as cuts and wounds, from being suddenly knocked over and falling on the pavement.
- As an E-scooter rider, you ride over a pothole that the local council has not repaired in a timely manner. This caused you to fall off the scooter and suffer a dislocation.
Please don’t hesitate to have a chat with us about your specific accident and injury. An advisor can provide guidance on whether you’re eligible to claim compensation and who you would direct your claim against.
How Much Could You Claim For An E-Scooter Accident?
Compensation payouts for successful E-scooter accident claims could potentially consist of two heads of loss: special damages and general damages.
General damages is a head of claim that compensates someone for the pain and suffering of any physical and/or psychiatric injuries that they have suffered at the fault of a third party. There are several factors considered when valuing how much compensation you’re entitled to under general damages, such as:
- The injury type and severity.
- How long it is expected to take to recover.
- How and if the quality of life has changed.
During the road traffic accident claims process, you will be invited to attend a medical assessment. The independent report conducted from this assessment will be used to help calculate the worth of your general damages payout. The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) will also likely be used. The JCG is a publication offering guideline compensation figures for all kinds of physical and psychological damage.
Injuries Table
We have included just some injuries from the JCG which could be suffered after an E-scooter accident. Also, we have included the JCG’s guideline compensation figures for each. Please note that the figure in the top row was not taken from the JCG.
However, there is no guarantee that any of these figures could be awarded for your potential successful claim since all claims are entirely unique.
| Injury | Severity | Guideline Award Figures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries plus financial costs | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ | An award for having multiple serious injuries plus the financial costs of those injuries such as medication bills and a loss of earnings. |
| Brain damage | Very severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 | Cases include quadriplegic cerebral palsy causing severe physical and cognitive disabilities. |
| Moderate (c) (iii) | £52,550 to £110,720 | The ability to work is reduced and memory and concentration are affected. | |
| Minor (e) | £2,960 to £15,580 | Minimal brain damage that recovers within three years or less. | |
| Neck | Severe (a) (i) | In the region of £181,020 | A neck injury that is associated with incomplete paraplegia. |
| Moderate (b) (i) | £30,500 to £46,970 | Dislocations or fractures that may necessitate spinal fusion. | |
| Leg | Severe (b) (i) | £117,460 to £165,860 | The most serious injuries that don't involve amputation, such as where there has been an extensive degloving of the leg. |
| Arm | Severe (a) | £117,360 to £159,770 | Cases include a serious damage to the brachial plexus. |
| Simple fracture (d) | £8,060 to £23,430 | Of forearm. |
Special Damages
Special damages is a head of claim that compensates someone for the financial costs of their injuries that they have incurred at the fault of a third party. These costs could be:
- Loss of earnings.
- Home adaptations.
- Professional care costs.
Special damages will not always be awarded when a personal injury claim is successful. However, general damages will be. So, it is vital to keep evidence of your costs for a higher chance of being restored to the financial position you were in before your E-scooter accident. Such evidence includes bank statements, payslips, invoices, and receipts.
If you want more information about how to claim compensation for E-scooter injuries, our advisors can help.
We Can Help With No Win No Fee E-Scooter Accident Claims
If you are eligible to seek compensation, you could make an E-scooter accident claim with one of the No Win No Fee solicitors from our panel. They could work with you under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) specifically.
You may be wondering what a CFA entails. If your solicitor represents you under a CFA, it means that you won’t have to pay the charges for your solicitor’s work if your claim is unsuccessful. There are also no upfront or ongoing charges for the services they provide.
If your claim does win, the charges will not have to come out of your pocket. Instead, a minor percentage, that is legally capped, will be taken from your compensation by your solicitor.
Contact Us
If you have been injured in an E-scooter accident either as a pedestrian, E-scooter rider, or other road user, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our advisors are available 24/7 to give you free advice about claiming. For free, you can also find out whether one of the specialist personal injury solicitors from our panel can connect with you. To get in touch, you can:
- Call 0161 696 9685.
- Send off an online enquiry form.
- Chat in our on-screen live support feature.
Learn More About Road Traffic Accident Claims
Here are some of our similar articles regarding road traffic accident claims:
- What you can do if your road traffic accident was caught on dashcam and advice on what other pieces of evidence you may need.
- Advice on how to use a road traffic accident compensation calculator and what other types of damages you could be compensated for.
- Advice on motor vehicle injuries and information about how to claim.
Here are also some pages which might give you useful information:
- UK Parliament House of Commons Library – A research briefing about regulating E-scooters.
- Gov.UK – Guidance on E-scooter trials and where trials are taking place in the UK.
- The Highway Code – The rules for drivers and motorists (89 – 102) in particular.
We hope that our E-scooter accident claims guide has been helpful. Please remember that we are available around the clock to help you if you have any other questions.