E-Scooter Accidents in Urban Ontario: Liability, Injuries & Compensation

August 21, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

E-scooters have become a popular and convenient way to navigate urban centres in Southern Ontario, particularly during the warmer months. From Toronto to Waterloo and London to Guelph, more people are embracing these compact, eco-friendly vehicles to get around. However, with rising use comes a surge in accidents, often involving serious injuries and complicated questions of liability.

If you’ve been injured while operating, riding, or encountering an e-scooter on Ontario roads or sidewalks, it’s important to understand your legal rights and the potential avenues for compensation.

Common E-Scooter Injuries and Causes

E-scooters are deceptively fast and often lack the safety features of larger vehicles. Collisions, falls, and mechanical malfunctions can result in a range of injuries, including:

• Head trauma or concussions (especially if riders are not wearing helmets)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Sprains and soft tissue injuries
• Road rash and lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries

In urban areas, accidents can happen due to:

• Potholes or poorly maintained roads
• Sudden stops or swerves to avoid traffic
• Lack of bike lanes or signage
• Scooter malfunctions due to poor maintenance
• Collisions with cars, cyclists, or pedestrians

While some incidents result from user error, many are due to negligence—either by the rider, a third party, a municipality, or the scooter company itself.

Legal Status of E-Scooters in Ontario

Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program allows municipalities to set their own rules regarding where and how e-scooters can be used. For example, in Toronto, riding e-scooters on sidewalks is prohibited, while in other areas, rules are still being developed or adjusted.

This legal patchwork can make it difficult to determine fault in the event of an accident. If a rider is injured because of a road hazard, unclear signage, or a collision with a car, liability may fall on a municipal authority, driver, or the scooter operator.

Additionally, many e-scooter rental apps include user agreements that attempt to limit their liability, but these waivers are not always enforceable under Ontario personal injury law, especially if the company failed to maintain its equipment properly.

Accessing Compensation After an E-Scooter Injury

If you're injured in an e-scooter accident in Ontario, you may be eligible to claim compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income or inability to work
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Long-term disability or mobility support

Depending on the circumstances, compensation could come from:

• The at-fault party’s auto insurance (if a motor vehicle was involved)
• The municipality (if poor infrastructure contributed to the accident)
• A scooter rental company (for mechanical issues or lack of maintenance)
• Your own automobile or home insurance policy (if it includes coverage)

In accidents involving motor vehicles, you may also qualify for Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS) under Ontario law—even if you were the one riding the scooter.

2025 Legal Changes Impacting Claims

In 2025, Ontario updated several personal injury rules, including:

• Increased statutory deductibles, which reduce pain and suffering awards unless injury thresholds are met
• New pre-litigation protocols, which require earlier evidence disclosure and medical reporting
• Greater emphasis on timely filing of documentation to avoid delays or denial of compensation

Given these changes, it’s more important than ever to consult a personal injury lawyer promptly. Your legal team can help preserve evidence (such as app logs, eyewitness statements, and maintenance records), navigate insurance claims, and structure your case to meet updated legal thresholds.

What To Do After an E-Scooter Accident

If you're involved in an e-scooter accident:

1. Seek medical attention immediately—even if symptoms appear mild.
2. Report the incident to police, the scooter company, or the municipality, depending on circumstances.
3. Document everything: photos of the scene, scooter, road conditions, and any injuries.
4. Get witness statements if available.

Then, contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in Ontario e-scooter claims. At Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law, we understand the unique legal challenges these cases present and can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.