As e-scooters become a staple of urban mobility, experts weigh in on the financial and legal consequences of road accidents and the urgent need for rider accountability.
DUBAI: With e-scooters now a ubiquitous sight across the UAE’s urban landscape, the surge in their popularity has been accompanied by a complex new challenge for road safety and insurance. As collisions between cars and micro-mobility devices rise, many residents remain in the dark regarding who bears the financial burden when a “swoosh” turns into a crash.
The Deciding Factor: The Police Report
In the UAE, the determination of fault in any road incident is the sole prerogative of the police. Whether the accident involves two cars or a car and an e-scooter, the official police report serves as the bedrock for all insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Hitesh Motwani, Deputy CEO of InsuranceMarket.ae, clarifies that the process mirrors standard road incidents. “Once liability is established, the vehicle owner can pursue compensation directly from the rider or through any personal liability cover the rider may already have,” Motwani explained.
Who Pays for the Damage?
The financial implications vary significantly depending on who is at fault and the type of insurance held:
- When the Rider is at Fault: Currently, private e-scooter riders in the UAE are not legally mandated to carry third-party insurance. If a rider damages a car, it often becomes a civil matter. While a car owner with comprehensive insurance can get their vehicle repaired through their own provider, they may still be subject to deductibles, and the insurer may later seek reimbursement from the rider.
- When the Motorist is at Fault: If a driver is responsible for hitting a rider, the driver’s mandatory third-party motor insurance typically covers the rider’s medical costs, compensation for injuries, and damage to the e-scooter.
The Danger of “Silent” Violations
Safety experts point out that while infrastructure has improved, behavioral issues remain the primary cause of accidents. Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE, identified riding against the flow of traffic as one of the most lethal mistakes.
“Drivers scanning for oncoming traffic from the left often do not expect a high-speed e-scooter to appear from the right,” Edelmann noted. Other frequent and dangerous violations include:
- Failing to dismount at pedestrian crossings.
- Riding at night without reflective gear or lights.
- Carrying passengers or heavy cargo.
- Illegal modifications to increase speed beyond regulated limits.
The Gap in Protection
Currently, there is a lack of standalone insurance products for private e-scooter owners in the Emirates. Experts suggest that as usage grows, structured insurance solutions—covering third-party liability and personal accidents—will become essential to protect both the riders and the public.
Until then, authorities continue to urge riders to stick to designated lanes, wear helmets, and respect traffic signals to avoid the high costs of a split-second mistake.
