E-Scooter & E-Bike Accident Lawyers in Toronto

We stand up for vulnerable road users who are injured

Electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric scooters (e-scooters) are increasingly popular ways to get around Toronto. They’re marketed as being energy-efficient, convenient, and fun, and they’re easily accessed through apps like Bird and Lime. However, like anyone outside the protection of an enclosed vehicle, e-bike and e-scooter riders can also be seriously hurt on the road, and an accident can change your life instantly.

If you were hurt in an e-bike or e-scooter accident, you have legal recourse, but the insurance company won’t make it easy. That’s why you need a lawyer on your side who knows how to win tough cases. Schedule your free consultation with an e-scooter accident lawyer at Smitiuch Injury Law.

What are e-bikes and e-scooters?

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are essentially regular bicycles with an electric motor meant to augment human power. Most e-bikes use “pedal assist” technology, meaning the rider still has to pedal the bike, and the motor kicks in to provide additional power to deal with obstacles like hills and headwinds. Some models use twist or thumb throttles, so you can engage the motor and move without pedaling.

Electric scooters, or e-scooters, look much like the unmotorized kick scooters that were popular in the 1990s, with two wheels, a platform called a “deck” that the rider stands on, and handlebars. However, an e-scooter also has a battery and an electric motor. E-scooters use a throttle located on the handlebars to activate the electric motor. The rider can control the scooter using a screen on the handlebars and sometimes with a brake lever.

Why do e-bike and e-scooter accidents happen?

Like cyclists and other vulnerable road users, e-bike and e-scooter riders can easily be overlooked by motorists who aren’t paying attention or driving too fast to avoid a collision. Unlike the engine of a motorcycle, the electric motor of an e-bike or e-scooter makes very little noise. And a motorist who isn’t paying close attention may see an e-bike or e-scooter and expect it to travel at the slower speed of a non-electric bike or scooter.

In addition, some accidents occur because of road conditions or mechanical defects in the e-bike or e-scooter itself. Regardless of the circumstances, e-bike and e-scooter riders are exceptionally vulnerable in collisions. For example, when a car hits a rider’s unprotected body, broken bones, brain injuries, and other severe injuries are common.

Legal recourse for victims of e-bike and e-scooter accidents

E-bikes and e-scooters generally do not require motor vehicle insurance. However, if you are involved in a crash with a vehicle that is required to have motor vehicle insurance, then you can file an Accident Benefits claim with the policy that covers the other vehicle, regardless of fault for the accident. You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if their negligence caused your injuries.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to pursue compensation from other parties that caused or contributed to the accident. For example, many e-bike and e-scooter accidents are caused by the disrepair of a road, sidewalk, or parking lot. In that situation, you may be able to file a claim against the property owner or the local government, depending on who is responsible for maintenance.

These are complex, challenging cases that require thorough investigation and legal knowledge. That’s why you need an experienced e-bike accident lawyer on your side.

Our lawyers will fight for full compensation for your injuries

You may not know where to turn after an e-bike or e-scooter crash. When you come to Smitiuch Injury Law, you’re back in control of what happens next. You can come to one of our offices, or we can come to you. Either way, we’ll listen to your story, explain your legal rights and options, and work with you to create a winning legal strategy.

It’s important to act quickly, however. Strict legal deadlines apply to e-bike and e-scooter accidents, and some of those deadlines can expire quite soon after your accident. We also need time to gather evidence and start building your case. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner we can start dealing with the insurance company while you just focus on healing.

We offer a free consultation, so there is no risk or downside to meeting with us. One of our e-bike and e-scooter accident lawyers will review the details of your accident and answer your questions in a free consultation. If you were hurt in an accident anywhere in the GTA, contact us today.