{"id":3648,"date":"2022-01-14T16:07:26","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T16:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tayloremmet.co.uk\/blog\/wordpress\/?p=3648"},"modified":"2022-01-14T16:07:26","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T16:07:26","slug":"e-scooters-and-personal-injury-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tayloremmet.co.uk\/blogs\/e-scooters-and-personal-injury-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"E- Scooters and Personal Injury Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"

E-scooters are becoming increasingly popular, and many people will have received one for Christmas this year. There are now 1000\u2019s of e-scooters on our roads, many illegally. If you, or anyone in your family, have had such a present you should know where the law allows them to be used and what the penalties are if you are caught using them illegally. If you are injured by an e-scooter you may be able to claim compensation.<\/p>\n

Are E-Scooters Legal?<\/h4>\n

Although it is not illegal to buy, sell or own an e-scooter, it is illegal to use one in public areas if it is not rented as part of a recognised government trial scheme. Using an e-scooter on private land, with the land-owner\u2019s permission, is legal.<\/p>\n

Riding a privately owned e-scooter on public roads is currently illegal in most parts of the UK. They cannot be ridden on footpaths, pavements, cycle lanes or in pedestrian-only zones.<\/p>\n

E-scooters are classed as \u201cpowered transporters\u201d, meaning they are treated in the same way as motor vehicles and subject to the same laws. This means that e-scooters should have licence plates, indicators and rear lights. MOT, tax and insurance are also required as well as a driving licence. However, e-scooters that are currently on sale to the public do not comply with these conditions and, worryingly, many of them are capable of reaching speeds of up to 50mph.<\/p>\n

The Government\u2019s E-Scooter Trials<\/h4>\n

Government backed trials of rental e-scooters are now well under way and operating in more than 50 towns and cities. These scooters can be ridden on roads and cycle lanes but not pavements. They have a maximum speed of 15.5mph, sometimes less. There is no compulsory training before someone hires and no requirement to wear a helmet, although users are advised to wear one.<\/p>\n

What are the Penalties for Using an E-Scooter Illegally?<\/h4>\n

If the Police stop you riding an e-scooter on a public road or public land, the scooter may be seized by the Police and you could be prosecuted. You could face a fine of up to \u00a31000 and get penalty points on your<\/p>\n

licence or ultimately a disqualification from driving. In a recent case in Cumberland, an e-scooter rider was fined and banned from driving for 40 months for riding the scooter whilst under the influence of alcohol.<\/p>\n

Are E-Scooters Dangerous?<\/h4>\n

There is an increasing number of recent news stories involving e-scooter accidents and injuries. 2019 saw the first death following a crash while riding an e-scooter and figures from the Department of Transport show that two more e-scooter users have been killed and a further 729 were injured in the year to June 2021.<\/p>\n

There have been growing reports of pedestrians being hit by e-scooters sometimes causing serious injuries. There have also been accidents caused by scooters being left in the streets and creating a tripping hazard.<\/p>\n

According to an investigation by ITV\u2019s Tonight programme (in May 2021) 210 people have suffered injuries in accidents involving e-scooters since the trials began. Transport for London carried out a comparison between cycling and e-scooter injuries using data from the US and concluded that the rate of serious injuries was around 100 times more for e-scooters than for cyclists.<\/p>\n

The exact number of crashes and injuries associated with e-scooters is unclear. The Metropolitan Police have said it believes the number of incidents are under reported but that numbers are increasing sharply.<\/p>\n

When Can I Make a Claim for Compensation for an E-Scooter Related Injury?<\/h4>\n

Yes \u2013 you can.<\/p>\n