Electric scooters with power exceeding 250 watts are treated the same as mopeds under road traffic laws. A collision involving such a scooter is regarded as a serious traffic incident, requiring police involvement to document the accident and pursue accountability for any wrongdoing. Legal experts emphasize the importance of reporting the incident to the authorities promptly, so the responsible party can be identified and held responsible through the proper legal channels.
Because determining the exact power output of a scooter by sight is not reliable, the recommended course of action after a crash is to contact both the traffic police and local law enforcement. They can establish jurisdiction and gather the necessary facts, such as the scooter model, power rating, and the circumstances of the collision. This helps ensure that the case is handled appropriately and that the rights of all parties are protected during the investigation.
If the scooter’s power is 250 watts or less, it is not classified as a vehicle in many jurisdictions. In this scenario, the rider is treated more like a pedestrian. A person injured in a collision with a low-power electric scooter would typically pursue compensation through standard civil procedures, which often means filing a lawsuit in the appropriate court rather than a vehicle-specific insurance claim.
Illustration: Valery Sharifulin/TASS