As e-scooters become increasingly popular across the UK, accidents involving them are also on the rise. Whether it’s down to careless drivers, unsafe road conditions or faulty rental scooters, if you’ve suffered an e-scooter accident injury, you might be confused about your legal rights.
That’s where we come in. At Injury Lawyers 4u, we’re experts in all things injury law. So if you believe negligence had a hand in your accident, it’s time to make an e-scooter accident claim. Get in touch today for a free consultation.
Common e-scooter accidents
When it comes to personal injury claims, e-scooter accidents can happen in many ways. These are some of the most common:
Collisions with other vehicles
Cars, vans and lorries can have a hard time spotting e-scooters when merging or turning. And many parked cars can cause injury if they open their door suddenly without checking for riders.
E-scooter malfunction or hire scheme faults
E-scooters can malfunction, causing injury. This might be a brake failure, a sudden loss of power or something else entirely.
Poor road conditions
Potholes, uneven surfaces or missing signs can all lead to e-scooter crash compensation, if negligence can be proven. In this case, it would be the local council at fault.
Pedestrian-related injuries
Pedestrians can be harmed by e-scooters if they are struck by them, while riders can be harmed by trying to avoid pedestrians.
Who can you claim against?
If you’ve been involved in an e-scooter accident, you might be able to claim compensation from the following parties:
- Negligent drivers — Drivers that fail to drive safely around scooters can cause accidents.
- Rental companies — If your rented e-scooter was unsafe or poorly maintained, you might have a claim.
- Local authorities — For accidents caused by poorly maintained roads or missing warning signs, the council may be at fault.
Working out who is responsible for your accident can be complicated. If you choose to approach us with your case, Injury Lawyers 4u will investigate all aspects of your accident to make sure the right party is held accountable.
Are e-scooter accidents covered by personal injury law?
Yes, e-scooter accidents can be covered by personal injury law in the UK, but it depends on how the accident happened and the type of e-scooter involved.
Rental e-scooters are legal to use on public roads and come with insurance. If you’re injured while using a rental e-scooter — whether due to a pothole, a careless driver, or a defective scooter — you may be able to make a personal injury claim, as long as someone else was at fault.
Privately owned e-scooters, however, are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes. They can only be ridden legally on private land with permission. If you’re injured while riding one in public, making a claim is more complicated. Courts may view your own illegal use as contributing to the accident, which could reduce or block compensation.
Likewise, if you’re injured by someone riding a private e-scooter, they may not have insurance, making claims more difficult — though not impossible.
In both cases, liability and evidence of negligence play a key role in whether a claim succeeds. If you’re unsure where to begin, get in touch and we can discuss your best course of action.
Can I make a no-win, no-fee claim for an e-scooter injury?
At Injury Lawyers 4u, our e-scooter no-win, no-fee promise means you can pursue a case without fear of potential financial hardship. Designed to prevent you from paying legal fees except after a successful settlement, we offer this service with all the personal injury cases we take on.
Get help from a specialist injury solicitor
Electric scooter injury claims can be complex, especially compared to standard cycling or vehicle accidents. Thankfully, our experts at Injury Lawyers 4u have decades of experience in injury law and have applied this knowledge to many e-scooter injury claims over the last few years. Give us a call on 0333 400 4445 or fill out our quick online form to start your case and see how we can help you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for an e-scooter accident?
As long as someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you might be able to claim. Even if you were partially at fault, you might still receive compensation on a reduced basis.
What if the e-scooter was part of a rental scheme?
Rental companies have a duty of care to maintain their scooters properly. If something went wrong with your rental scooter and it contributed to your accident, the company that owns it could be held responsible.
Is it legal to ride an e-scooter on UK roads?
At this time, only rental e-scooters are legally allowed on public roads as part of government trial schemes. Private e-scooters are illegal on public roads but accidents involving them can still lead to a claim.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Claims can still be made if the responsibility for the accident is shared. However, your compensation might be adjusted to reflect your level of fault.
What evidence do I need for an e-scooter injury claim?
To make a strong case, you’ll need to gather useful evidence like medical records, accident reports, witness details, photos of the scene or vehicle and records of your financial losses.