Electric scooters or e-scooters are two-wheeled vehicles, which are made functional by the presence of a motor. They comprise of high-endurance, rechargeable batteries that enable travelling for up to ten to forty miles. However, this vehicle can only travel up to 25 to 30 km per hour, as the motor limits the speed range. E-scooters are an affordable and convenient method of transportation, which is why they have gained popularity in the last few years.
With that said, the laws around riding an electric scooter are quite complicated. The safety issues concerning the riders, as well as the pedestrians, have imposed several restrictions around the idea of riding these vehicles on the roads and the pavement.
Common E-scooter Accidents
E-scooter accidents have become relatively common, as the majority of individuals who ride them are inexperienced. Due to this unfamiliarity, allowing e-scooters on the road has become extremely dangerous. In fact, Emily Hartidge, a Youtuber and television presenter in the UK, suffered a collision that resulted in her death on the twelfth of July, 2019. The accident was caused by the crash between the e-scooter and a lorry in south-west London.
With that in mind, it is essential to drive an e-scooter while taking all the security measures into consideration. The accidents involving e-scooters are mainly caused by the rider’s neglect. Here are a few things that individuals must take into account while riding e-scooters.
- Avoid riding on the pavement to avoid collision with pedestrians
- Avoid riding on the roads to avoid collision with cars and other vehicles
- Avoid having a passenger on board as it can cause an uneven distribution of weight, which can result in a crash or fall
- Avoid riding with distractions, such as using the phone or wearing headphones
- Avoid riding at a high speed.
Are e-scooters legal?
Riding e-scooters is legal in the UK, however, there are several restrictions that the rider must comply with. As electric scooters are categorised as Personal Light Electric Vehicle (PLEV) by the Department for Transport, the riders are required to fulfil the criteria of driving a PLEV, which includes having a driver’s license, licence plate, MOV and etc.
With that said, it is currently illegal to ride PLEV or powered vehicles on the roads, due to the restrictions imposed by the Road Traffic Act 1988. Moreover, it is also illegal to ride e-scooters on the pavements due to the limitations imposed by the Highway Act 1835.
Currently, residents are only allowed to ride e-scooters on private properties, only if the owner consents to it.
Individuals who are seen riding e-scooters out on the road or pavements would be penalised with a fine of £300, along with 6 points on their driving license.
However, the social distancing protocols imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic compelled the government to reconsider the regulations around these vehicles. Therefore, from July 4th, 2020, riding rental e-scooters on some roads is legal. However, riding an e-scooter on the pavement, and riding a private e-scooter is still illegal. Moreover, only individuals above the age of sixteen with a valid license for car, moped or motorcycle are granted permission to ride rental e-scooters.
Personal Injury Claims For E-scooters
E-scooters riders are required to care for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other individuals on the road. The reckless behaviour of the rider can result in a serious injury or fatality.
If you have been involved in an accident caused by an e-scooter rider, you can make a personal injury claim to get compensation for your injury or loss. To do this, you can reach out to personal injury lawyers in Glasgow, who specialise in dealing with personal injury cases, The solicitors can consider the details of your case and provide you with an in-depth idea of how your case can be legally handled.
Additionally, the solicitor can take care of all the paperwork and gather evidence to support your claim. As a result, you would be granted the required settlement to cover the cost of any injuries and losses, which were caused as a direct result of the accident.
How Can You Seek Representation?
If you wish to hire an experienced solicitor, you can research your options online. It is expedient to seek representation from a solicitor who works under the CFA or the No Win No Fee policy. With the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you can get legal representation without having to pay a large sum of legal fee. Essentially, you can set up an in-person consultation session with a solicitor, or reach out to them via call. The objective of this session would be to provide them with all the relevant information about the case. The solicitor would then handle all the legal procedure to ensure that you are provided with a maximum amount of compensation.
