A Guide To Scooter Accident Claims

By Joanne Jeffries. Last Updated 14th July 2024. Welcome to our scooter accident claims and mobility scooter accident compensation claims guide. A scooter rider is likely to be exposed to dangerous circumstances when riding in busy and built-up areas. Even when lights are used and visibility clothing is worn, there is still the possibility to be involved in accidents which can result in serious injuries and even a fatality. In this guide, we’re going to explain how you could claim compensation following an accident on a scooter, providing it was caused by another road user. We’ll look at what causes an accident on a moped, the amounts of compensation you could be entitled to and how a no win no fee personal injury lawyer might help you make your moped accident claim.

mobility scooter accident compensation claims / scooter accident claims

mobility scooter accident compensation claims / scooter accident claims

Accident Claims UK is a nationwide service offering free legal advice on accident and medical negligence claims under a no-obligation assessment of any claim. Our solicitors have up to 30 years claims handling experience for all sorts of personal injury claims including mobility scooter accident compensation claims. They’re dedicated to trying to ensure you receive the right level of compensation for your injuries. If you’d like to discuss your No Win No Fee claim right away, you can call us on 0800 073 8801.

However, if you’d like to find out more about how a personal injury solicitor could help you claim for a moped accident, please carry on reading.

Select A Section

A Guide To Claims For An Accident On A Scooter Or Moped

In this scooter accident claims guide, we will provide information that could help you if you are searching to claim for an accident on a scooter. We’ll look at the most common injuries that can be sustained, the rules of the road for moped riders, and also how much compensation you could receive for your injuries.

It’s worth pointing out that you won’t be eligible to make a claim if the accident was caused by your own mistake. You will need to be able to prove that the negligent actions of another road user led to your crash in order to be eligible to make a personal injury claim. Also, you’ll need to consider the personal injury claims time limit. In normal circumstances, you have 3-years to claim from the date of the accident. However, that date could also start from the day your injuries were diagnosed if they weren’t immediately obvious.

Because scooter and moped riders are so exposed, any type of accident could lead to serious injuries; even at relatively low speeds that scooters can reach. Our solicitors can help with claims for any type of accident, including claiming if a loved one has passed away in a moped accident that was not their fault.

Later in this guide, we’ll explain what you need to do after a moped accident occurs and at what point a personal injury solicitor could help you make a no win no fee claim. We’ll also look at scooter accident statistics to reflect the volume of injuries that occur each year.

If you’re still unsure and have a question about scooter accident claims or whether you could claim for a moped crash, please speak with an advisor. They’ll assess your claim and provide free advice about your options.

What Is An Accident On A Scooter Or Moped?

A moped accident is described as one where a road traffic accident occurs and it involves a moped or scooter. That could mean an accident on a scooter where the rider is injured because they’ve been hit by another vehicle or one where the scooter rider was to blame because they collided with another vehicle.

In general, mopeds are categorised as a light motorcycle where the engine capacity does not exceed 50cc. Scooters are more powerful types of motorcycles with an engine capacity between 50cc and 750cc.

Please read on for more information on scooter accident claims.

How Does The Highway Code Relate To Scooter And Moped Riders?

According to The Highway Code, to ride a motorcycle on the roads you’ll need to complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. This will entitle you to ride a moped, scooter or motorbike up to 125cc. You will first need to ride with learner plates until you’ve completed a theory test and practical test in order to gain your full motorcycle licence. However, if you don’t pass your test within 2 years, you’ll need to re-take your CBT.

Other rules for all types of motorcyclists set out by the highway code include:

  • Riders and passengers must wear protective helmets.
  • You’re advised to wear eye protectors.
  • If you have a full bike licence, you can carry one pillion passenger.
  • You should wear bright clothing, reflective strips and bright helmets.
  • Finally, motorcyclists should be aware of what’s in front and behind them. Also, they should take care when passing stationary traffic in case pedestrians are crossing between vehicles. They shuld not exceed the maximum speed on the roads they travel on either.

Scooter, Moped And Motorcycle Accident Statistics

At this point in our scooter accident claims guide, we’re now going to take a look at moped accident statistics.

The European Commission released a report that showed in 2005 the number of fatalities on mopeds (per million) vehicles was 2.3 in the UK. In the same period, motorcycle fatalities per million vehicles were 4.9. The moped fatality rate in the UK was one of the highest in Europe for that period.

According to moped accident statistics for the UK released by Brake (a road safety charity), bike riders of any type (cyclists are included in this study) are 63 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in road traffic accidents than car drivers.

Other stats from the report include:

  • On average, a fatal bike accident occurs every hour on British roads.
  • Two-thirds of bike deaths occur on our rural roads.

Another government report found that there were a total of 115,333 casualties of road traffic accidents in 2020, according to provisional figures alone. These casualties included everything from minor injuries to more severe injuries, including fatalities. You can see these in the graph below:

mobility scooter accident compensation claims scooter accident claims statistics graph

 

Of these statistics, motorcyclists accounted for 19% of road deaths and cyclists accounted for 6%. Like scooter and moped users, these road user groups are the most vulnerable road users due to their lack of physical protection. Unlike cars, they lack an outer shell to deflect impacts and the like.

To learn more about scooter accident claims, please continue reading.

Common Types Of Accident On A Moped Or Scooter

There are many ways in which an accident on a scooter can happen. Here are some of the more common causes of an accident that could lead to a compensation claim:

  • Where a car turns unexpectedly in front of a motorcyclist.
  • Accidents involving drink drivers or drug drivers.
  • Debris in the road.
  • Potholes or road damage.
  • Careless driving on behalf of another road user.
  • Pedestrians on the road.

If you believe that an accident on a scooter was caused by negligence, not just those listed here, because another road user was negligent, please call today. We’ll assess your claim for free and let you know if you could claim or not.

Please read on for more information on scooter accident claims.

Common Types Of Injury From Accidents On Moped

As well as common types of accidents that are claimed for, there are a number of common injuries related to an accident on a scooter. These include:

Later in this scooter accident claims guide, we’ll look at how much compensation can be awarded for certain injuries following an accident on a moped.

Scooter And Moped Whiplash Claims

Whiplash is commonly associated with car crashes, but it can also be attributed to any type of vehicle accident including a scooter crash.

A whiplash injury usually occurs when the head is shaken violently one way then another. This then causes the head to be whipped backwards and forwards quickly, causing damage to the neck, shoulders and arms.

We recommend that if you suspect you’ve suffered whiplash you visit your GP immediately. They can assess you and determine the severity of your injuries. Also, they might be able to spot another problem which the whiplash symptoms could be masking. Finally, if you have been assessed by a GP, the medical records they produce could be used to support your claim. If you’d like more advice on scooter accident claims relating to whiplash injuries, please contact our team.

Mobility Scooter Accident Claims

While this guide is really about two-wheeled vehicle accidents, such as those occurring on electric scooters, we are often asked about accidents involving mobility scooters. While these accident types are rare, if you’re injured while riding a mobility scooter and the accident was caused by somebody else, you could be entitled to make mobility scooter accident compensation claims for your injuries. We’ll explain what type of evidence is required to support any type of accident later on.

How Is Liability Established In A Scooter Or Moped Accident?

As with any road traffic accident (RTA), to be able to claim for an accident on a scooter you’ll need to demonstrate that somebody else caused it to happen. Without proof that somebody else was to blame, unless they voluntarily admit liability, proving your claim could be very tricky.

In some cases, if you’re partly to blame for the accident, you could still make a claim. That’s because some insurance claims are settled on a split-liability basis. This simply means you’ll receive less compensation depending on your share of the liability.

For information on what you should do to give scooter accident claims the best chances of success, please see the next section.

What Should I Do If Injured In An Accident On A Scooter?

As mentioned in the previous section, you’ll need evidence to support any claim. Therefore, if you’re involved in an accident on a scooter, we recommend that you:

  • Take photographs of the scene of the road traffic accident as soon as possible. If you’re able to and it’s safe, try to do this before any vehicles are moved.
  • See if there were any witnesses. Ask them for their details to be contacted at a later date.
  • If you were wearing a recording device or any vehicles nearby had dashcam footage, try to secure copies.
  • Attend your local GP surgery or visit A&E to have your injuries assessed and treated.
  • Finally, remember to swap details with the other rider, driver or road user. Do not admit liability or apologise for the accident.

This might seem like a time-consuming exercise, however, the evidence you collect could help ensure a mobility scooter driver has all the evidence needed to ensure scooter accident claims are successful.

How Are Compensation Settlements Assessed in Scooter Accident Claims?

When a personal injury solicitor starts to work out how much compensation you could be entitled to, they have a number of ‘heads of loss’ at their disposal. These are different elements of your claim. Some of the more common heads of loss include:

General Damages.
This is compensation that’s awarded because of the pain caused by your injuries.

Special Damages.

  • Medical Expenses.
    While it’s true that you’ll receive treatment for free on the NHS, the cost of medicines (prescription or over the counter medicine) can soon build up. Therefore, you could claim these expenses back.
  • Travel Costs.
    If you need to travel to and from the doctors or a hospital for medical appointments, you might be able to claim the cost of fuel back. Also, if you’re unable to ride your scooter for a while, you may be able to claim for any alternative travel arrangements.
  • Care Costs.
    Some injuries are so debilitating that the victim requires professional care to help them recover. If that’s the case, compensation could include the cost of the carer.
  • Lost Earnings.
    When you need to take time off work to recover or visit the doctor, you’ll likely experience financial losses in the form of loss of earnings. That might be because your employer doesn’t pay full sick pay. If that happens, you could ask for the losses back as part of your claim. Furthermore, if you are affected in the long-term, you could ask for future lost income too.
  • Damaged Property Costs.
    Finally, if your personal property was damaged in the accident due to someon else’s negligence, you could claim for the cost of replacing or repairing it. This could include the cost of replacing your helmet, leathers or even your mobile phone if it was damaged in the crash.

Special Damages

The second component of scooter accident claims payouts are special damages. The financial elements of the claim are known as special damages. To help your solicitor claim for them we recommend that you keep hold of any receipts. Also, it’s a good idea to write down when you spend any money linked to your accident. Then, when the solicitor asks you, you’ll be able to explain why you’re claiming for it. Finally, if you’re in any doubt about whether you could claim for something or not, speak with your solicitor before committing to it.

Moped And Scooter Accident Claims Calculator – Updated October 2021

While it’s not possible for us to tell you what amount of compensation you might receive in this guide by way of a compensation calculator, we can show you the personal injury claims calculator table below. It shows examples of compensation paid for some specific injuries.

Edit
Injury Type How Severe? Compensation Comments
Pelvis Moderate £24,950 to £36,770 This compensation range covers injuries including a significant hip or pelvis injury that leads to a permanent minor disability.
Pelvis Minor Up to £3,710 This compensation range covers injuries including minor tissue damage that results in complete recovery.
Arms Loss of both £225,960 to £281,520 This compensation range covers complete loss of both arms that results in a state of consisderable helplessness.
Arms Moderate up to £11,820 This compensation range covers injuries including elbow fractures, simple fractures in the arm and lacerations.
Hand Moderate £5,260 to £12,460 This compensation range covers injuries including deep lacerations, crush injuries & penetrating wounds.
Legs Loss of both £225,960 to £264,650 This compensation range covers both legs being lost above the knee.
Legs Severe £90,320 to £127,530 This compensation range covers injuries where the leg doesn’t need to be amputated but where injuries are so severe that the effect is the same.
Foot Moderate £12,900 to £23,460 This compensation range covers injuries including those which cause a risk of long-term oesteoarthritis.
Foot Modest up to £12,900 This compensation range covers injuries including ruptured ligaments, simple metatarsal fractures and puncture wounds.
Neck Moderate £23,460 to £36,120 This compensation range covers injuries including fractures and disclocations of the neck with severe symptoms. The injuries may cause the need for spinal fusion.
Neck Minor £4,080 to £7,410 This compensation range covers injuries including soft tissue damage with full recovery between 1 and 2 years.
Back Severe £85,470 to £151,070 This compensation range covers injuries including severe spinal injuries which cause incomplete paralysis leading to impaired bladder, sexual or bowel function.
Back Moderate £26,050 to £36,390 This compensation range covers injuries including compression and crush fractures that cause severe pain and requiring spinal fusion.
Back Minor £7,410 to £11,730 This compensation range covers injuries including injuries that fully recovers, without surgery, within 2 to 5 years.
Shoulder Minor £4,080 to £7,410 This compensation range covers injuries including soft tissue damage that is fully recoverd from in less than 2 years.

You’ll notice that injuries are compensated based on their severity. This means a broken finger will be paid less than a finger that has to be amputated. Our solicitors use medical records, reports from independent doctors and other evidence to make sure our clients are compensated fairly, and in full, every time.

As every case is unique, to get a more accurate estimate of what your scooter accident claims could be settled for, please speak with an advisor. Once your injuries and their impacts are fully understood, a better estimate might be possible.

No Win No Fee Claims For An Accident On A Moped Or Scooter

Some people worry about making scooter accident claims. That’s usually because they’re concerned about the costs of hiring a solicitor. That’s why our solicitors only work on cases using a no win no fee service. As the name implies, their fees aren’t paid if they don’t win the case, so they have to assess every claim before agreeing to take it on. You could be eligible to make a no win no fee claim if you can show that:

  • You were involved in an accident on a scooter or moped;
  • Which left you injured;
  • And was caused by a careless or negligent road user.

If the solicitor agrees to take on your claim, they’ll provide you with a conditional fee agreement (CFA). This is the contract between you both. When you’re happy and the CFA has been signed, your claim will begin.

The good thing about a CFA is it clearly shows that you don’t have to pay the solicitor’s fees unless they win compensation for you. Also, it will tell you what ‘success fee’ is payable when your case does receive a settlement payment.

The success fee is limited by law and is deducted before you’re paid. We believe no win no fee makes it easier for more people to claim as it reduces the stress and financial risk involved with claiming.

How Our Road Traffic Accident Claims Team Could Help You With Scooter Accident Claims

We’re happy to answer any questions you might have concerning scooter accident claims, and in fact, our advisors can offer free legal advice. Also, they’ll provide a no-obligation assessment of your claim.

If the case is strong enough, they could introduce you to one of our solicitors. They know what information is required and what’s not meaning they can act efficiently and not waste your time with irrelevant questions.

Also, they can arrange for a medical assessment of your injuries with an independent doctor that’s local to you ensuring you don’t have to travel too far during your claim.

Our solicitors always try to ensure our clients are compensated fully for any injuries and always work on a no win no fee basis for any claim they handle.

Scooter Accident Claims FAQs

Here, we will briefly address some frequently asked questions about scooter accident claims and mobility scooter accident compensation claims.

How long do you have to put a claim in after an accident?

Personal injury claims have a time limit of 3 years, which becomes effective from the date of the accident or the date that the victim realised they suffered as a result of it.

Can I claim on behalf of someone else?

For mentally incapacitated victims or victims under the legal age of 18, they can appoint someone to make their claim on their behalf. Alternatively, the limitation period is frozen until they can claim for themselves.

How much money can you sue for pain and suffering?

As mentioned above in our explanation of general and special damages, compensation amounts are informed by the extent of the claimant’s suffering. As a result, there is no average payout for the pain and suffering that you may experience, as awards vary from case to case.

How much is my claim worth?

To get a free assessment of how much compensation you could be entitled to, please call our team today for a specialist consultation.

Should I get a solicitor?

Although there’s no legal requirement in order for you to make a claim, getting a solicitor can significantly help your case’s chances of success.

Do I need a local solicitor?

Although you could choose to work with a local solicitor, you do not have to choose one based nearby. Here at Accident Claims UK, our solicitors are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England and Wales. Although our solicitors may not be based near to where you live, they could easily handle your claim via e-mail, phone call, video call and letter.

What If I want to visit my solicitor?

No matter where bin the UK you are based, if you would like to visit your solicitor or would like them to visit you, this could be arranged. Remember, costs for travel to solicitors appointments could be considered special damages.

What should I look for in a solicitor?

When you’re looking for a solicitor to help you with your claim, you should consider whether they have relevant experience to help you with your case. You might want to check whether they have years of experience, and what kinds of claims they have dealt with in the past. You might also want to know about their success rate. Another way to get insight into a solicitor would be to take a look at some of the reviews that might have been left by previous claimants. You would be able to gain some insight into the service they require in this way. We would also advise you to consider working with solicitors that could take on your claim on a No Win No Fee basis, under a No Win No Fee agreement.

What is a No Win No Fee agreement?

By claiming on a No Win No Fee basis, you’re not required to pay a penny in legal fees unless your lawyer wins your claim for you. Therefore, there’s no out of pocket fees in the claims process.

Where can I find a No Win No Fee solicitor?

At Accident Claims, we have an entire panel of personal injury lawyers with more than 30 years of experience making successful claims.

How can I contact Accident Claims?

Please see the contact section below for different options on how to get in touch with our specialist solicitors.

Can I claim if I can’t find the driver?

If you have been injured in a road traffic accident, the other motorist should stop at the scene of the accident. Sadly, however, sometimes this does not happen. And, even if they do, they might not be insured. If you’re worried because this has happened to you, you might be relieved to learn that this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t claim compensation. There is an organisation known as the Motor Insurer’s Bureau that could investigate your claim and could pay you compensation if you’ve been injured by a driver that is uninsured or untraceable.

Could you help with MIB claims?

You don’t have to make claims to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau alone. One of our solicitors could help you make a claim to the MIB for compensation if you’ve been injured in an accident with an untraceable or uninsured driver.

How long do MIB claims take?

Claims to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau vary when it comes to how long they take to settle. If your claim is relatively straightforward, they could settle your claim quite quickly. However, there could be some things that might delay the settlement of your claim. One of these would be if your injuries are complex, or the MIB needs to see the police report for the accident, which cannot be released until such time as any criminal proceedings are completed. Another thing that could delay your claim is if you don’t provide the relevant paperwork to the MIB, and they have to request it again. This is why it could be wise to have a lawyer help you with your claim.

Start Your Claim For An Accident On A Scooter

Now that you’ve finished this scooter accident claims guide, we hope you’re ready to begin your own claim. If so, there are a few ways in which you can contact us. These include:

scooter accident claims

scooter accident claims

We can help you begin your claim 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Remember that we’ll happily assess your claim for free and with no obligation. That means you’ve got nothing to lose by contacting us.

Essential Links Relating To Scooter Accident Claims

Here are some more useful links related to scooter accident claims, including guides and resources that you might find helpful.

Motorbike Highway Code – This is the part of the highway code which applies to moped, scooter and motorbike riders.

Road Accident Statistics – Information from the government regarding road traffic accidents.

Whiplash Injuries – This is a guide from the NHS which explains the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options available for anyone suffering from whiplash.

Head Injury Compensation Claims – A guide that takes a look at the types of accidents which result in head injuries, not just scooter accidents, the types of injury and how much compensation might be awarded.

Broken Bone Claims – Another useful guide which provides information about what type of compensation can be awarded for specific broken bone injuries.

Road Traffic Accident Claims – This guide takes a more general look at road traffic accidents involving any type of vehicle. It explains the types of injury and the amounts of compensation that are possible.

Thank you for reading our scooter accident claims and mobility scooter accident compensation claims guide. Once again, if you’d like any more information, please feel free to call an advisor today.