Electric bikes (e-bikes) are becoming a more common mode of transport, praised for being environmentally friendly and convenient. But with the rise in e-bike use, has also brought concerns; serious injuries caused by e bike collisions.
We often see the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents can take. If you or a loved one have been injured due to an e-bike incident, it’s important to know what you're dealing with - and what legal help is available.
E-Bike Injuries: what the data shows
While comprehensive UK-wide data is still emerging, research and reporting show several worrying trends. In Essex alone, more than 230 crashes involving e-bikes and e-scooters have been recorded in the past five years, all resulting in injury. There are also concerns that changes in regulation, such as proposals to allow more powerful e-bike models - could make accidents more severe, especially if bikes are being modified by the owner to increase speed.*
The types of injuries range from head injuries in collisions where riders were not wearing helmets. Fractures, internal injuries and life-changing trauma are also being reported. Beyond the physical harm, many victims also face long-lasting emotional and psychological consequences.
Recent data from a London-based report** highlights a sharp rise in e-bike and e-scooter accidents:
“In London alone, 11,266 incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters were recorded in 2023/24, up from 10,168 the year before.
A large number of these are caused by e bike collisions.
E-bikes themselves can be quite heavy - sometimes up to 30kg, which is more than twice the weight of a standard bike. When such a heavy device is travelling at high speeds (at or beyond the legal limit of 15.5 mph), the potential for more serious injury increases significantly.
Many commercial and private e-bikes are being modified or produced in ways that allow them to exceed legal speed or safety limits, which increases risk both for riders and bystanders.”
These numbers paint a clear picture: more riders, more incidents, more risk.
How Coles Miller can help
If you have been injured in an e-bike incident, whether as a pedestrian or cyclist or rider of an e-bike, our Personal Injury Team can guide you through the process of making a claim.
We begin by assessing whether your accident was caused by negligence, such as who was at fault for the incident. Also who has insured the e-bike. It could be a private owner a Council or sub-contracted to a third party insurer. If not a collision it could be a local authority failing to maintain a safe road surface. We will advise on the type of claim that may be available to you, whether a personal injury claim or another legal route.
Our solicitors will then help to gather evidence. This could include working with medical experts that strengthen your case. We will make sure your injuries are fully documented, covering not just the immediate harm but also long-term effects such as scarring, loss of mobility, or the need for ongoing treatment and care. There may well be psychological injuries that need exploring and we can also look to source treatment for these injuries.
Compensation claims are not only about medical costs. We calculate the full impact of an accident, including:
- loss of earnings
- cost of rehabilitation
- psychological harm
- adjustments to your home if needed.
Dealing with insurers or manufacturers can be daunting, particularly when you are recovering from serious injuries. Our team can take on those negotiations for you, ensuring you are treated fairly and not pressured into accepting a settlement that does not reflect your losses. Where possible, we also help clients to access interim payments, so urgent medical and care needs are covered while a case progresses.
In many cases, we are able to represent clients on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you don’t have to worry about the cost of pursuing justice.
What should you do if you’re injured?
If you suffer an e-bike injury:
Seek medical attention immediately: Ensure you receive treatment and document your injuries.
Defendant details: Get the name and address of the person who caused the incident.
Keep evidence: Take photographs of the scene, the e-bike and any vehicles involved. Take photographs of your injuries.
Witness evidence: Try to collate names and telephone numbers of any witnesses
Report the incident: Report the collision to the police within 24 hours.
Get legal advice quickly: Seek advice as soon as possible to preserve evidence and strengthen your claim.
Why you should choose Coles Miller’s Personal Injury Team
Our team has extensive experience in serious injury claims, including cases involving burns, head trauma, road accidents and defective products. We understand the devastating impact these incidents can have and are committed to securing not just fair compensation but also the support you need to rebuild your life.
We combine our legal expertise with compassion, offering guidance every step of the way. With a strong knowledge of the local roads and a proven track record in Dorset and beyond, we are trusted by clients to deliver strong outcomes while treating each case with the care and sensitivity it deserves.
Get expert legal advice from Coles Miller Managing Partner Adrian Cormack, Head of the Personal Injury Department.
Adrian specialises in complex brain trauma cases and other catastrophic injuries that have occurred as a result of road traffic collisions, workplace accidents or medical negligence. He has recovered many millions of pounds worth of damages for his clients.
His many legal victories include a £1 million settlement for a client injured in a serious road traffic accident in 2018. The claimant had suffered a subdural haematoma (a moderate/severe traumatic brain injury), several rib fractures and an oblique fracture through the left hip.
Adrian is a Senior Litigator in the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). He also sits on the Personal Injury Panel at Headway (the brain injury association) and was formerly Chairman of Trustees for 15 years at Headway Dorset. He is based at Coles Miller’s Fleetsbridge office.
