Last Updated 3rd February 2026. Scooter accident claims are, in essence, a specific type of road traffic accident claim involving electric scooters where injuries are caused by someone else’s negligent actions. Rental scooters are increasingly common in UK cities, bringing a new type of vulnerable road user that drivers, in particular, need to take extra care around. If this care is not taken, then a scooter rider could be seriously injured and face substantial financial losses. In these cases, personal injury compensation can be pursued to recover lost earnings, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs.
Key Takeaways
- E-scooter accidents may result in both minor and life-threatening injuries.
- It is against the law to use a privately owned e-scooter on public land. However, certain areas offer e-scooter rentals.
- You may be eligible to claim if another road user was not navigating in a safe manner and you sustained injuries as a result of this.
- Your compensation figure depends on the extent of your injuries and financial losses.
- You must start your claim within three years of the accident. However, some exceptions may apply.
- One of our solicitors may help you claim compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.
To start your e-scooter accident claim, get in touch with our friendly advisors by:
- Accessing our contact page
- Calling our advisors on 0800 073 8801
- Messaging our advisors on our live chat
4.8 (948 reviews)Jump To A Section
- Can I Make A Claim For An E-Scooter Accident?
- Am I Still Eligible For Compensation If I Was Partially Responsible?
- Examples of Scooter Accident Claims
- How To Start Scooter Accident Claims
- How Much Compensation Can You Get For Scooter Accident Claims?
- Why Make Scooter Accident Claims With Accident Claims?
- More Information
Can I Make A Claim For An E-Scooter Accident?
If you were injured in an e-scooter accident that was not your fault, you may ask, ‘Can I claim compensation?’ This may be possible if you meet the specific eligibility criteria discussed below.
All road users have a duty of care and must adhere to the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. In doing so, they must use the roads safely and responsibly to avoid causing harm to other road users. Therefore, you may claim compensation if:
- A road user owed you a duty of care
- The road user breached this duty, causing your e-scooter accident
- This resulted in you suffering from injuries
For example, you may be safely crossing a junction on an e-scooter. However, a road user was speeding and using his mobile phone, failing to stop at a red traffic light on time. If this resulted in the road user colliding with your e-scooter, causing your fractured neck and leg injury, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
Can I Claim On Behalf Of Someone Else?
Yes a claim can be made on behalf of another person if they are unable to claim for themselves. This will require you to be appointed as their litigation friend. Litigation friends are given the authority to make decisions on behalf of whoever they are acting for. Those under the age of 18, as well as those without sufficient mental capacity to manage their own claim, can use a litigation friend in order to get the process moving as quickly as possible.
Any adult who meets the suitability requirements could claim on behalf of another person, although it is common to see parents and legal guardians fulfil this role. As someone who is managing a claim for someone else, you will be required to act in their best interests and keep them informed of the claim’s progress to the best of your ability.
Am I Still Eligible For Compensation If I Was Partially Responsible?
If you were partially responsible for an e-scooter accident, you may still be eligible for compensation in a split liability claim.
You still must meet the claims eligibility criteria discussed above to make a split liability claim. However, in this type of claim, your negligent actions would have also contributed to the accident.
In split liability claims, both parties must agree to split blame. The percentage at which each party is responsible will determine how much compensation is awarded.
For example, if you were 30% responsible for the accident, you would be awarded 70% of the compensation.
What If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet?
Although helmets are not a legal requirement when riding an e-scooter, you should ensure you always wear one to prevent a serious head injury when involved in an accident.
If you failed to wear a helmet and were involved in an e-scooter accident that was not your fault, you still may be eligible to claim compensation. However, as with split liability claims, this may reduce your compensation accordingly. In this case, it would be called a contributory negligence claim.
Contact our advisors today if you were partly responsible for an e-scooter accident to learn whether you can claim compensation for your injuries.
Examples Of Scooter Accident Claims
Scooter accident claims often arise from collisions with vehicles and pedestrians, but there are many other incidents for which compensation might be pursued. While we’ve done our best to be thorough, it’s always advisable to contact our team to learn more about claiming in your specific circumstances.
Potential scenarios have been outlined under the following headings.
Scooter Accident Claim Involving A Car Or Van
Probably the most common scooter accident is a rider being struck by a vehicle. This could occur if a driver fails to leave sufficient room when passing, or approaches a junction too quickly and does not see the scooter in time. Scooter riders are deemed vulnerable road users like cyclists due to their lack of protection compared to motor vehicles and therefore could be seriously injured in such collisions.
Pedestrian Hit By A Scooter
Scooter accident compensation may also be sought by pedestrians struck by riders. Like cyclists, scooter riders are grouped with other vehicles, not pedestrians. So, for example, a scooter rider could be on their mobile phone and fail to stop at a pedestrian crossing, hitting you as you cross the street.
Hit-And-Run Scooter Accident Claim
A hit-and-run occurs when a road user fails to stop at the scene of an accident. Ordinarily, you will need a driver’s insurance information and contact details when pursuing compensation, but in this instance, that’s not going to be possible. Hit-and-run claims are instead made through a non-profit organisation called the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
Scooter Accident Caused By Poor Road Conditions
Under the Highways Act 1980, the designated highway authority has a legal obligation to keep the road surfaces it is responsible for in a good state of repair. Typically, this will be an area’s local authority, but for motorways and major A roads, National Highways performs this function. Hazardous potholes, degraded road surfaces, ice, and other debris may all need to be repaired or cleared within a reasonable timeframe to ensure highways remain safe for ordinary traffic.
So, if you’re riding a scooter through town and hit a deep pothole, you could be seriously injured and entitled to compensation from the council for their failure to maintain the road.
How To Start Scooter Accident Claims
If you want to make a scooter accident claim, here is some important information explaining how to start this process to be compensated for your suffering.
Claim Time Limit
Before you begin your claim, knowing if you are still within the personal injury claims time limit is important. Under the Limitation Act 1980, you must start your claim within three years of your accident. However, depending on the circumstances of some claims, exceptions may apply to this rule, such as:
- If the claimant is a minor under eighteen, the time limit will be paused until they turn 18 and will run for three years. This is because minors are not legally allowed to start a claim.
- If the claimant has a limited mental capacity, the three-year time limit will not be placed on their claim. However, if they regain this mental capacity, the three year time limit will be applied to their claim and will run from the date it was deemed they recovered this capacity.
If the time limit is paused on your claim, a litigation friend may be appointed to act on your behalf.
Proving Liability
As with all personal injury claims, you must be able to establish how the third party was liable for your suffering for your claim to be successful. To prove liability, it is important to provide evidence of how the third party caused your injuries.
Some examples of evidence that may be used in a scooter accident claim include:
- Dashcam or CCTV footage of your accident
- Photographs of your injuries
- Medical and police reports
- Insurance details
- Documentation of the e-scooter
One of our solicitors may help you obtain evidence if you need help.
Get in contact with our advisors to learn more about how to start scooter accident claims or to find out if you are eligible to have support from one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.
How Much Compensation Can You Get For Scooter Accident Claims?
If your scooter accident claim is successful, you may be awarded compensation for the suffering this caused you. Settlements for successful road traffic accident claims may consist of up to two heads of loss: general and special damages.
General damages are awarded to compensate you for any injuries you sustained in your e-scooter accident, including physical injuries and psychological harm.
A specific team will calculate your general damages using documents such as an independent medical assessor’s report and guidelines presented by the Judicial College (JCG). The JCG is a list of guideline compensation figures for different injuries. The table below presents some of these, except those from the top figure. However, please remember that they are only guideline figures, so you are not guaranteed this amount.
| Injuries | Compensation Guideline | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Significant Financial Losses | Up to £1 million plus | The injured has suffered from multiple serious injuries and has incurred significant financial losses as a result. |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | £344,150 to £493,000 | Little or no evidence of response to environment, language function, waking patterns and postural reflex movement. Bracket includes cases involving quadriplegic cerebral palsy resulting in severe cognitive and physical disabilities. |
| Moderate Brain Damage (i) | £183,190 to £267,340 | The injured suffers from moderate to severe intellectual deficit and personality change. This also effects their sight, speech and senses. There is no prospect of employment. |
| Severe Back Injuries (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | The most serious injury involving damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots. This may result in incomplete paralysis and impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function. |
| Severe (i) Neck Injuries | In the region of £181,020 | Resulting in incomplete paraplegia. The injuries leave little or no movement in the neck and subsequently the claimant suffers from headaches. |
| Severe Pelvis and Hip Injuries (i) | £95,680 to £159,770 | Serious fractures of the pelvis or a hip injury resulting in spondylolisthesis of the lower back joint causing intolerable pain. |
| Severe Leg Injuries (ii) Very Serious | £66,920 to £109,290 | Injuries causing permanent problems with mobility so walking aids are essential. Multiple fractures take years to heal and extensive treatment is required. |
| Arm Injuries Resulting in Permanent and Substantial Disablement | £47,810 to £73,050 | Severe fractures to one or both forearms and significant permanent disability of a functional or cosmetic nature. |
| Moderate Ankle Injury | £16,770 to £32,450 | Fractures and ligamentous tears that may give rise to minor disabilities such as difficulty with walking and standing. There may be a risk of future osteoarthritis. |
| Multiple Fractures of Facial Bones | £18,180 to £29,220 | Includes permanent facial deformity. |
Am I Eligible For Special Damages?
If you sustained injuries in your e-scooter accident, you may also be eligible to claim special damages. This head of claim compensates you for any financial losses you incurred as a result of your injuries. Some examples of what you may claim special damages for include:
- Loss of earnings
- Lost work benefits such as bonuses and pension contributions
- Costs towards healthcare, childcare and travel
- Payments towards home adjustments and special equipment
You’ll need supporting evidence of these costs, so make sure you hold onto all relevant documentation, such as your payslips, travel tickets, receipts for any purchase and invoices for home care.
Contact our advisors to discuss what special damages could be recovered in scooter accident claims and what items you could be reimbursed for in your specific circumstance.
4.8 (948 reviews)Why Make Scooter Accident Claims With Accident Claims?
By choosing to make scooter accident claims with one of the highly dedicated personal injury solicitors at Accident Claims, you will benefit from combined decades of experience and a proven track record of winning compensation for our clients.
Why Work With Accident Claims?
From expert help gathering evidence to providing clear guidance from start to finish, there are many reasons to work with one of the experienced solicitors at Accident Claims. Here are just a few of the ways a solicitor can help you, and the services they can provide:
- Making sure you understand all the technical language.
- Communicating with the defendant’s solicitors on your behalf and keeping you informed of the claim’s progress.
- Connecting you with the right medical specialists so you receive the required medical care and support.
- Assisting you with collecting supporting evidence.
- Calculating a compensation figure that takes into account both the seriousness of your injuries and any associated financial losses.
Do Accident Claims Offer No Win No Fee?
Yes, Accident Claims’ solicitors do offer clearly defined No Win No Fee terms, so the advantage is always firmly with the claimant. Specifically, they can offer claimants their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement or “CFA.” This contract protects the claimant from having to pay any service fees, both at the start of or during their claim. You will also not owe any service fees if the claim is not won.
If, however, you do succeed in winning compensation, the solicitor will deduct a success fee. This is charged as a percentage of your compensation, and there is a binding cap on the percentage that may be deducted for the success fee.
Contact Us
To start your scooter accident claim, get in touch with our friendly advisors by:
- Accessing our contact page
- Calling our advisors on 0800 073 8801
- Messaging our advisors on our live chat
More Information
For more information on road traffic accident claims, access the links below:
- Learn more about road traffic compensation claims
- Learn how long after an accident you can claim for whiplash
- Learn how to claim for accidents caused by uninsured drivers
References:
- You could be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if your injuries keep you off work for more than 3 consecutive days. Learn more on this government page.
- Check when to call 999 using this NHS guidance.
- Learn more about e-scooter safety, GOV.UK
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide on scooter accident claims.
