TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER

One of the fastest growing preferences among citizens on the roads of Greece is commuting by electric scooter. This vehicle has a relatively low purchase and operating cost, especially popular among younger age groups, making it particularly widespread.
The number of traffic accidents involving these electric transportation devices is increasing continuously, as their users may ride on avenues, lanes, or even bus lanes, etc. For a long time, there was ambiguity regarding the applicable legislation in accidents involving such vehicles. This issue was resolved by Law 4784/2021, which, in Article 15, amended Article 2 of the Road Traffic Code (KOK).
Accordingly, electric scooters are divided into two categories. The first includes those that travel up to 6 km/h, which are treated by law as pedestrians. The second category includes scooters capable of speeds up to 25 km/h, which are treated as bicycles under the law. For accidents involving vehicles in these categories, the respective provisions for pedestrians and bicycles apply. Both categories fall under the classification of L-PEDs (Light Personal Electric Devices).
In the event of an accident involving an electric scooter, it is important—after verifying the rider’s condition and health—to notify the traffic police and the insurance company of the other involved vehicle.
Regarding the first category, the injured scooter rider has civil claims equivalent to those of a pedestrian. This practically means that the rider’s duty of care while moving on the roads, adherence to the traffic code (KOK), signs, etc., are taken into account, determining any contributory negligence in case of an accident. Similarly, the same applies to the second category, which is treated like bicycles.