CALL 24/7A 15-year-old riding an e-scooter was seriously injured last Tuesday after colliding with a vehicle in Windsor, Ontario. The collision marks anothe serious incident amid growing concerns about the rise in e-scooter injuries across Canada.
Morning Collision at Ontario Street and Ford Boulevard Leaves E-Scooter Rider in Serious Condition
Windsor police responded to the e-scooter vs. motor vehicle crash at Ontario Street and Ford Boulevard shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
In a report from CTV News Windsor, police say a motorist was driving southbound on Ford Boulevard when the vehicle collided with an e-scooter ridden by a 15-year-old travelling westbound on Ontario Street.
The teen was taken to hospital and remains in serious condition. The driver stayed at the scene and was not physically injured.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Windsor Police Traffic Enforcement Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 7032.
E-Scooter Hospitalizations in Canada Rose Nearly 40% in One Year
Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows 837 hospitalizations for e-scooter injuries between April 2025 and March 2026. That is up from 601 the year before, according to Global News.
The increase in e-scooter injuries was highest among children, where hospitalizations of kids aged 15 and under rose from 54 to 150. A children’s emergency physician at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children linked this trend to more devices being on the road — more riders leads to more injuries.
The most common injuries requiring riders to be admitted include:
- Fractures and dislocations
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries due to riders often not wearing helmets
- Facial fractures and dental trauma – riders are often experience direct impact
Why Young Riders Face Added Risk on E-Scooters
Doctors who treat children have warned that e-scooters are often marketed as toys, even though they are motorised vehicles sharing the road with cars. They also report that many parents may also not know the rules where they live.
Several factors can raise the risk for young riders:
- Limited experience: Teens have had little practice reading traffic and reacting to the vehicles around them.
- No licensing: Riders do not need a licence, so there is no test on the rules of the road.
- Judging speed: It can be hard to tell how fast a vehicle is approaching, especially at an intersection.
- Crossing habits: Riders may not slow at driveways and parking lot entrances, or may assume drivers will stop at a crosswalk.
- Missing gear: Doctors say too many young riders go without a helmet.
- Toy mindset: Riders who see a scooter as a plaything may not treat it with the care a vehicle needs.
In an August 2026 AM800 report, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens urged parents and young riders to take e-scooter safety seriously. He said helmets should be encouraged for e-scooters, just as they are for bicycles. Windsor police have also reminded drivers to stay alert and give vulnerable road users, including e-scooter riders, space.
Ontario and Windsor Rules at a Glance
Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program sets the basic rules, and each city decides whether to take part and where scooters may go. Windsor has opted in. Under the law, the same Highway Traffic Act rules of the road that apply to cyclists also apply to e-scooter riders.
- Minimum age: Riders must be at least 16.
- Helmets: Riders under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet.
- Riding position: Riders must stand, with no passengers or cargo.
- Speed and power: E-scooters are limited to 24 km/h and a 500 W motor.
- Lights and reflectors: A white front light, a red rear light and reflective material on the sides are required.
- Where to ride in Windsor: Roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less, the Riverfront Pathway and designated paved park paths are allowed, while general city sidewalks and most park trails are off-limits.
Who May Be at Fault After an E-Scooter Collision, and What Comes Next
Fault after an e-scooter collision depends on what each person did. A driver and a rider can both share responsibility. The share each one carries affects what compensation is available.
When the Driver Is at Fault
Drivers must take reasonable care around every road user, including e-scooter riders. An injured rider may be able to claim compensation from a driver who failed to do so. That can include pain and suffering, lost income and care costs, although Ontario sets thresholds for some parts of these claims.
Family members can also bring their own claim under the Family Law Act. A spouse, parent, child, grandparent or sibling of an injured person may be able to claim for:
- Expenses: Costs reasonably incurred for the injured person’s benefit.
- Travel: A reasonable allowance for travel to visit during treatment and recovery.
- Care at home: Lost income, or the value of nursing, housekeeping or other care a family member needs to provide.
- Loss of guidance, care and companionship: Compensation for what the family would reasonably have expected to receive.
When the Rider Is Partly or Fully at Fault
If a rider is assessed with some of the blame, it does not necessarily end a claim. When both sides share fault, awarded compensation is reduced by each party’s percentage of fault. Courts also judge a young rider by what is deemed reasonable for a young person of similar age, intelligence and experience.
If a rider is fully responsible, there is no claim against the driver. Other options may still exist, such as Ontario’s accident benefits. A claim against another party, like a scooter maker, may also be possible if a defect played a role.
Accident Benefits Apply Regardless of Fault
Ontario’s accident benefits system is no-fault, so a person hurt in a crash involving a motor vehicle can apply for benefits no matter who caused it. Since July 1, 2026, medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory, while other benefits are now optional.
Optional benefits apply only to the named insured, a spouse, dependants and listed drivers, so a household’s own policy can shape what a young rider can access.
While these benefits can provide some compensation, Ontario gives you very short deadlines to notify your insurer — just seven days, and the Application for Accident Benefits (OCF-1 form) must be filed out and submitted within 30 days.
Speak With a Windsor Injury Lawyer About an E-Scooter Claim
A serious e-scooter injury can bring unexpected and significant medical costs. Teens may have to miss school while recovering, and you may have a lot of questions about your legal options and who may be liable for your damages.
Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers in Windsor have been helping injured crash victims for over 45 years. We would be honoured for the opportunity to help you too.
At Greg Monforton & Partners, we work hard on your behalf, starting with making legal representation affordable for almost everyone. Our firm takes injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront fees and no out-of-pocket costs. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you.
>Need legal help after a crash? Greg Monforton & Partners can answers your questions. Call (866) 320-4770 today.
