The roads in Ireland are changing. With more people using e-bikes and e-scooters to get to work, run errands or simply enjoy their freedom, we’re seeing a sharp rise in accidents that weren’t happening a few years ago. Quiet collisions at junctions, sudden falls caused by potholes, or careless riders in crowded areas these are the kinds of situations people are now facing every day.
The roads in Ireland are changing. With more people using e-bikes and e-scooters to get to work, run errands or simply enjoy their freedom, we’re seeing a sharp rise in accidents that weren’t happening a few years ago. Quiet collisions at junctions, sudden falls caused by potholes, or careless riders in crowded areas these are the kinds of situations people are now facing every day.
If you’ve been injured, we know what you’re likely dealing with. You might be sore, shaken and unsure what to do next. You might feel embarrassed, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Or maybe you’re worried about taking time off, footing medical bills, or trying to explain your side of things to a company that’s brushing it off. That’s where we come in.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’re not here to make promises we can’t keep. We’re here to listen, to act fast and to make the process straightforward. We’re based in Clare and we know what our communities are up against whether it’s a busy road in Shannon or a quiet estate in Ennis. We believe people should be treated fairly, and when someone gets hurt through no fault of their own, they deserve to be heard and supported.
You won’t be buried in paperwork or legal jargon. You’ll speak to someone who sees you as a person, not a case file.
If something has gone wrong on the road and you need a steady hand, call Crimmins Howard Solicitors today. We’ll talk it through and help you take the next step.
E-bikes and e-scooters are now a regular sight on roads and footpaths across Ireland. They’re affordable, sustainable and convenient especially in places where public transport can be limited. In towns like Ennis and Shannon, as well as around Limerick and Galway, more people are turning to these modes of transport to cut commute times and avoid traffic. But with that growth has come a rise in serious and avoidable accidents.
Unlike traditional bicycles, many e-scooters can travel at speeds of 25 to 30 kilometres per hour. When used responsibly, this might not be an issue. But in shared spaces like pedestrian crossings, narrow town paths, or residential estates these speeds can lead to collisions that cause broken bones, head injuries and long-term trauma.
Another growing concern is the lack of clear regulation. In many parts of Ireland, especially smaller towns, local councils and road planners have not yet adapted to the rapid increase in e-mobility devices. You’ll often see scooters weaving between traffic, or riders using pothole-ridden side streets that were never designed for anything other than cars. Poorly marked crossings, faded cycle lane paint and cracked footpaths all add to the danger.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ve also seen a rise in claims involving pedestrians struck by scooters on pavements or in shopping areas. These incidents often go unreported at first, with injured parties assuming nothing can be done. In reality, if the accident was caused by someone else’s lack of care whether a rider, a local authority or even a rental provider you may have a right to compensation.
We’ve spent decades helping people across Clare stand up for fairness when they’ve been hurt. And as the transport landscape evolves, we remain committed to making sure that legal protection keeps pace with the real risks people are facing on today’s roads.
When an e-bike or e-scooter accident happens, people often assume they have no legal standing to claim especially if they weren’t driving a car or if the incident seemed minor at first. In truth, many different types of people may have a valid personal injury claim, depending on how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
If you were riding an e-bike or e-scooter and were injured due to poor road surfaces, a reckless driver, or even a defective vehicle, you may be eligible to claim. We’ve helped clients who were thrown from their scooter after hitting a pothole, or knocked off their e-bike by drivers failing to leave enough passing space. These are not just “unfortunate accidents” they are preventable incidents with real legal consequences.
Pedestrians are often the hidden victims of e-scooter growth. If you were struck by someone riding an electric scooter too fast on a footpath or in a pedestrian zone, you may have a case—particularly where there’s evidence of recklessness or lack of control. The same applies to children, elderly people or anyone unable to avoid a fast-moving scooter on a narrow path.
Motorists involved in accidents caused by e-scooter or e-bike users can also suffer injury or property damage. If a rider veered into traffic suddenly or ignored the rules of the road, you may be able to recover your losses.
Where a child is injured either while riding or as a pedestrian a parent or guardian can bring a claim on their behalf. Extra care is taken by the courts in these cases, and compensation is usually held in trust until the child turns 18.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we look at the full picture. If someone else’s poor judgement or lack of care caused your injury, we’ll help you understand your rights and take the next steps.
E-bike and e-scooter accidents often happen quickly, but the causes tend to be rooted in clear patterns—unsafe roads, poor maintenance, human error or a failure to follow the rules of the road. Understanding what caused the accident is essential, as it helps identify who is legally responsible. Below, we break down the most common causes and the types of parties who may be liable for your injuries.
Many e-bike and e-scooter riders are injured because of badly maintained surfaces. This includes potholes, uneven paving, worn road markings, loose gravel or waterlogged cycle lanes. In such cases, the local authority may be at fault for failing to maintain the roads to a safe standard, particularly where hazards were reported and left unrepaired.
We’ve handled claims in Clare where clients were thrown from their scooter after hitting an unseen dip or obstruction on a quiet estate road or town footpath. These are preventable incidents, and the law recognises that councils have a duty to keep public infrastructure safe for all road users not just drivers.
Where an electric scooter or e-bike was hired through a rental platform, and a fault in the equipment led to the injury, the rental company may be liable. Common issues include:
Rental operators are required to maintain their fleet to a safe standard and should remove defective units from circulation. In some cases, a failure to provide clear safety instructions or encourage helmet use may also be considered a contributing factor.
Many e-bike and e-scooter accidents are caused by reckless behaviour riding too fast in crowded areas, ignoring red lights, or using scooters on footpaths. When another road user causes your injury by acting carelessly, they may be held personally liable, and their insurer may be responsible for covering your losses.
Likewise, motorists can be found liable where their actions endanger cyclists or scooter users. Examples include:
Liability may also be split between parties. For example, if a driver and a rider both acted carelessly, the court or PIAB may apportion blame (e.g. 70 percent to one party, 30 percent to another).
Where the accident was caused by a design or manufacturing defect such as faulty brakes or battery fire risk a claim may be brought against the product manufacturer or distributor. These types of claims often require expert evidence and technical inspection of the equipment, which our team can arrange.
Even if you feel you may have made a mistake by not wearing a helmet, by riding cautiously but outside of a designated path you may still be entitled to compensation. Irish law allows for contributory negligence, which means your compensation could be reduced, but not denied entirely.
We always take a practical view. If the other party bears the bulk of responsibility, we’ll make sure that’s reflected in how your case is handled.
The moments after an accident are often filled with shock and confusion. You might feel embarrassed, uncertain about whether to report it, or unsure if your injuries are serious enough to justify a claim. But taking a few clear steps in the hours and days that follow can make a major difference both for your health and for the strength of your case.
Even if your injuries appear minor, it’s important to get checked by a GP or hospital as soon as possible. Soft tissue injuries, head trauma and internal damage are not always visible straight away. A medical report creates a documented link between the accident and your injury, which is essential when bringing a claim.
If another road user was involved, always report the accident to the Gardaí. If you were injured due to poor road conditions, report the defect to the relevant local council. If the incident happened while using a rental scooter or bike, notify the operator in writing and take note of any response.
Some people feel reluctant to ‘make a fuss’, especially in small towns. But a timely report is often the difference between a clear, traceable claim and a missed opportunity.
Gather as much detail as possible from the scene:
Keep the clothing or helmet you wore during the accident, especially if they were damaged. These can serve as physical evidence of impact.
The sooner you speak to a solicitor, the more options you have. CCTV from nearby shops or council poles is often only stored for a short time. Witnesses move on. Rental companies may quietly decommission faulty vehicles. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we act quickly to secure time-sensitive evidence and protect your rights before anything is lost.
Even if you’re unsure whether the accident is claim-worthy, a quick conversation can give you clarity and peace of mind.
If you’ve been injured in an e-bike or e-scooter accident and someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. But what does that actually cover? The aim of a personal injury claim is to restore you so far as possible to the position you were in before the accident. That includes both the financial impact and the personal toll the injury has taken.
General damages relate to the pain and suffering caused by your injury. This can be physical, emotional or psychological. It includes:
Every person experiences injury differently. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we ensure your individual circumstances are reflected in how we value your claim.
Special damages cover the actual costs you’ve had to pay or will have to pay because of the accident. This includes:
Keeping receipts, invoices and payslips helps us build a detailed and accurate claim.
In more serious cases, compensation may also reflect the long-term effects of the injury, such as:
We work closely with medical professionals and financial experts to ensure future needs are not overlooked or underestimated.
In Ireland, there’s a strict time limit for bringing a personal injury claim. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to begin the process. This time limit is not flexible, and if it passes, you may lose your legal right to seek compensation even if your injury was serious or caused by clear negligence.
That said, there are situations where the clock doesn’t start immediately. If you weren’t fully aware of the injury, or didn’t know how severe it was until later, the two-year limit may instead begin from what’s called the “date of knowledge”. This applies in cases where symptoms developed gradually or where someone only later discovered the link between their condition and the accident.
Different rules also apply when a child is injured. For anyone under the age of 18, the limitation period does not begin until their 18th birthday. However, a parent or guardian can bring the claim at any point before then, and doing so early often strengthens the case.
Delays can cause practical problems even within the time limit. Crucial evidence like CCTV footage, road conditions or rental data might be lost. Witnesses may forget details or be harder to track down. Acting early helps us secure what’s needed to build a strong claim and protect your position from the start.
If you’ve been injured in an e-bike or e-scooter accident and need honest, practical advice, we’re here to listen. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we put people first. Get in touch today to tell us what happened and find out how we can help you move forward. Your recovery and your rights matter.
