Scenarios

Hit by a car on an e-bike

If a car, van or other vehicle hit you while you were riding an e-bike, this is one of the more straightforward scenarios to pursue — because the driver is required to have insurance. Whether a claim is possible turns on whether the driver was at fault, and on their insurance.

Other accident scenarios

What is a “hit by a car on an e-bike” claim?

Being hit by a car on an e-bike is a road traffic accident (RTA) claim — a personal injury claim brought against a driver whose careless driving injured you. Because you were the more vulnerable road user, these claims are often approached in a similar way to a cyclist being knocked off a pedal bike.

Who is liable when a driver hits an e-bike rider?

Usually the driver, through their motor insurer. Every driver on a UK road must be insured under the Road Traffic Act 1988, and that insurance is what a successful claim is paid from. If the driver turns out to be uninsured or drives off, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau may be able to step in instead.

Fault often turns on ordinary driving errors — pulling out of a junction, turning across your path, changing lane without looking, or opening a door into you. A driver can be wholly or partly to blame, and more than one party can share responsibility.

What if I was partly at fault?

You may still be able to claim even if you were partly responsible — for example if you had no lights on at night. This is called contributory negligence, and it can reduce a claim rather than end it. Not wearing a helmet does not make you at fault for the accident, though it can sometimes affect the injury side of a claim. How much difference it makes is a question for a solicitor who knows the full picture.

What evidence helps?

The details that matter are easiest to capture early:

  • The vehicle’s registration, and the driver’s name and insurance details.
  • Dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage of the collision.
  • Photographs of the scene, the vehicle, your e-bike and your injuries.
  • Contact details of any independent witnesses.
  • The police reference, if the collision was reported.

How long do I have to claim?

In England & Wales there is generally a three-year time limit for personal injury claims under the Limitation Act 1980, usually running from the date of the accident. If the injured rider was under 18, the three years generally runs from their 18th birthday. Some situations differ, so it is sensible to look into things sooner rather than later.

Please note: We write about e-bike accidents in England and Wales — how they happen, and who may be responsible for them. Every accident turns on its own facts, so what we set out here is general guidance rather than advice about yours, and nothing on this page is a promise about whether you have a claim, how long it would take, or any amount that might be involved.

Tell us what happened

The more we know about how your accident happened, the clearer it is who may be responsible for it. Give us the outline below — a few lines is enough to start with, and it commits you to nothing.

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