Toronto E-Scooter & E-Bike Accident Lawyers

E-scooters and e-bikes have been growing in popularity across Toronto and Ontario in recent years. With the rise of services like Bird, Lime, and Lyft, rentable e-vehicles offer a convenient way to get around. However, while these vehicles are easy to access and use, it’s important to remember that they come with unique safety risks that can lead to severe injuries. If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter or e-bike accident, you may be eligible for compensation for the emotional, physical, or financial losses you have incurred.

At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, we have extensive experience with e-scooter and e-bike accident claims. Considering the additional legal complexity that may be introduced by rental company liability and gaps in insurance coverage, it’s important that you seek legal help quickly after you’re injured.

To schedule a free consultation with our Toronto e-scooter and e-bike accident lawyers, you can call our Toronto office at 905-265-1005 or fill out our online contact form now. We serve clients across Ontario.

Why Are E-Scooter & E-Bike Accidents More Complex?

E-scooter and e-bike accident cases can be much more legally complex than regular motor vehicle accidents. This is because the vehicles are often rentable, which may subject rental companies or manufacturers to additional liability.

It’s recommended that you speak with an experienced e-scooter or e-bike accident lawyer when you are injured, as they’ll be able to help navigate potential legal complexities, such as:

• Lack of Standard Insurance Coverage: Unlike cars and other motor vehicles in Ontario, which have mandatory no-fault coverage, e-scooters and e-bikes usually don’t require insurance. This can create challenges when you’re trying to determine which policy (if any) will cover your medical bills, lost wages, or property damage after an accident.
• Unclear Liability and Multiple Potential Parties: After an accident, liability may fall on drivers, municipalities (for unsafe road conditions), e-scooter rental companies, or even manufacturers, when defective parts are involved. For this reason, e-scooter and e-bike accident claims may require a thorough investigation, accident reconstruction, or expert testimony to determine fault.
• Differing Local Laws and Regulations: Rules and laws that apply to e-scooters and e-bikes are different depending on the municipality. For example, in Toronto, e-scooters are not permitted on public roads, sidewalks, or trails. However, they are widely available for purchase or rent. This can create confusion when it comes to fault, as violating these rules may complicate claims and affect eligibility for certain benefits.
• Rental Company Intervention: Rental e-scooters or e-bike providers like Lime, Bird, or Bike Share Toronto may try to limit their liability by having app users sign user agreements or app terms. Understanding these agreements and challenging liability waivers often requires experienced legal guidance.

With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can pursue compensation for the damages you have incurred. At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, we may be able to help you seek coverage through Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) if a motor vehicle was involved, from the rental company, the manufacturer, or through a lawsuit against at-fault parties.

What Causes E-Scooter and E-Bike Accidents in Toronto?

E-scooters and e-bikes are regular vehicles, but with an electric motor meant to augment human power. Considering both can travel up to 25 kilometres per hour, they can cause significant injuries when the rider gets into an accident. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), nearly 1,000 people were hospitalized for scooter-related injuries during the 12-month period starting April 1, 2023. This was an increase of 810, up from the same period in 2022-2023.

In Toronto and across the province, some common causes of e-scooter and e-bike accidents include:

• Collisions with motor vehicles, due to low visibility, dooring incidents, or driver incidents
• Road hazards, like potholes, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained bike lanes
• E-scooter or e-bike malfunctions, like brake or throttle failures
• Rider inexperience or lack of training
• Distracted or impaired driving by motorists
• And more

Severe injuries caused by e-scooter and e-bike accidents, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, spinal cord injuries, psychological trauma, and more, can lead to significant effects on a victim’s life. For example, you may be left dealing with costly medical care, rehabilitation, or long-term disability needs.

It’s important to note that even if riders are partially at fault for their incident, they may still have options to recover compensation. An experienced accident lawyer will be able to assess liability in your case and advise you on your potential legal choices.

What Makes Our Toronto E-Scooter & E-Bike Accident Lawyers Different?

At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact an e-bike or e-scooter accident can have on your life. We aim to offer our clients compassionate, reliable, and efficient legal representation so they can focus on what matters: recovering after their accident.

When you work with our Toronto e-bike and e-scooter lawyers, we’ll assist you with our:

• Compassionate and Personalized Service: We are committed to providing one-on-one attention while we focus on helping clients rebuild their lives. We’ll maintain regular, informative communication throughout insurance negotiations or your legal claim, if we decide to pursue one.
• Experience in Emerging Transportation Claims: Our legal team has experience navigating the unique legal and insurance complexities of e-scooter and e-bike cases. Because these modes of transportation are relatively new and increasing in popularity, our lawyers make sure they are up to date on all the latest laws and regulations so we can represent our clients effectively.
• Proven Track Record: We have a history of success representing clients with Accident Benefit claims and tort actions. We’ll use our prior knowledge to your advantage when assessing your case. We’re prepared to engage in negotiations to reach a settlement or take your case to trial, if necessary.

Contact Our E-Scooter & E-Bike Accident Lawyers in Toronto Today

E-scooters and e-bikes are convenient, but have significant risks associated with their use. When you’re injured in an accident, the importance of legal representation cannot be understated. Goodman Elbassiouni LLP’s experience in securing fair compensation for injured riders allows us to help clients achieve recovery.

We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we offer completely free initial consultations to clients, and you pay no upfront fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

To speak to a Toronto e-scooter or e-bike accident lawyer today, you can call our Toronto office at 905-265-1005 or fill out our online contact form now. We serve clients across Ontario.