Accidents Involving E-Scooters

Is it legal to own and ride an e-scooter?

Whilst it is legal in England to own an e-scooter there are restrictions around when and where they can be used. Currently, it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on public land unless you have the appropriate tax, licence, and an MOT. The majority of riders do not have the relevant permissions. Notwithstanding this, e-scooters have become a common site on the roads, pavements, and parks. 

On 10th May 2022 the former Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, delivered the Queen's Speech in the House of Lords, stating that private e-scooters would become legal on public roads, with a new vehicle class being created. The new vehicle category will be independent of cycle and motor vehicles. The government is currently running numerous pilot programs to obtain data on the use of e-scooters. 

As part of the trial, e-scooters can be rented in various cities. The current e-scooter trials ended in November 2022, but some local authorities have extend these trials until the end of May 2024. You must hold a valid full or provisional driving licence to rent an e-scooter under the scheme. Insurance will be covered within the rental. The hope is that regulatory standards will ensure that the use of e-scooters is safe for both the rider and other road users. 

Accidents and the severity of injuries could be reduced if a maximum speed limit and mandatory use of a helmet are enforced. At the moment, however, it remains unclear when the government will finalise the laws and regulations for e-scooters.

Have you had an accident whilst riding an e-scooter?

If you have been involved in an accident whilst riding an e-scooter on public roads, you may be entitled to compensation, even if the e-scooter is not fully licensed and insured. In 2021 there were 713 e-scooter-related accidents attended by NHS ambulances, as revealed by data from the Major Trauma Group in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with admissions to A&E related to e-scooters increasing by 40% from 2020 to 2021. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving an e-scooter, contact our personal injury team for a free, no-obligation chat on 01273 249200.