Serious injury lawyer welcomes new consultation on e-scooters

A serious injury specialist has welcomed the Government’s plans to conduct a new evaluation of e-scooter trials across the UK.

Although results aren’t expected until May 2026, Philip Edwards of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, says a new evaluation is needed and greater legislation should be put in place for the use of the electric vehicles.

An initial consultation was held in 2021, with results published in 2022 but no further action was taken by the previous Government.

With 47 deaths since 2019 and an estimated 1.2 million e-scooters being illegally used, transport minister Lord Hendy has indicated that evidence collected in the new assessment will be used to inform future legislation.

Philip Edwards (pictured), a partner and serious injury claims specialist, said: “E-scooter use is great on all sorts of levels, not least the benefits to the environment – and use of them should be encouraged, but in a responsible way - it just needs to be safe and there must be proper compensation for the victims of irresponsible users.

“We need proper regulation of the types of scooters permitted, their power, and those that can legally drive them and we need proper resources for enforcement of the regulations – it is important that dangerous scooters or drivers are actually kept off the road.

“There’s also the thorny issue of insurance or other schemes for compensation. Accidents will happen and no innocent, seriously injured victim of an accident involving an e-scooter should be left without the ability to obtain compensation for their losses and to maximise their rehabilitation and recovery.

“Ministers have also, rightly, raised concerns over the risk of battery fires on e-scooters and e-bikes. With new legislation not looking likely until 2026/2027 this is the first step in a long process to put more safety measures in place.”

Philip Edwards has been representing clients after life changing injuries or the loss of a loved one for more than two decades.

“The immense personal tragedy of these events never diminishes – whatever we can all do to support each other to prevent these tragedies from occurring should be done,” he said.

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.