While recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of accidents involving light vehicles, the cool, wet spring and early summer in Estonia this year have brought some good news: they have led to a decrease in light-vehicle incidents compared to the same period in 2024.

Seesam’s statistics show that the number of accidents involving light vehicles in the first six months of 2025 was down 20% year on year. “Although there has been a decrease in the number of accidents, the number of claims being paid out has gone up,” explained accident insurance product manager Dagmar Gilden. “Moreover, the average amount being awarded has increased by more than 55% compared to last year. The biggest payouts in individual cases have been as much as 1500 euros. One of our clients, for instance, lost control on a dirt road, fell and suffered severe injuries to their wrist and humerus.”

Damage and injuries to arms, legs, heads and teeth

Gilden says that with electric scooters continuing to gain popularity, this dip in the accident rate is only temporary: dry, warm summer days favour much greater use of the light vehicles, which inevitably leads to an increase in the number of accidents.

“Such incidents mostly result in damage and injuries to people’s arms, legs, heads and teeth,” she noted. “Fractures, dislocations and open wounds are common. If you have accident insurance you can get compensation in such cases, but recovering takes a long time and can mean extended periods away from work.”

According to Gilden, light-vehicle accidents tend to be caused by high speeds and a lack of attention. Most occur at the points where cycle paths meet roads, on pedestrian crossings and on unsealed sections of roads, since many light vehicles have small wheels that easily get stuck in uneven surfaces like kerbs, manholes and potholes.

Ambulance statistics show that drink-driving – which significantly increases the risk of serious injury – also remains a problem. Users of light vehicles who have been drinking frequently underestimate their speed and overestimate their abilities, and their reactions are also affected. All too often, this results in broken bones or multiple injuries, and even trauma to the brain if the rider is not wearing a helmet.

The weaker party always loses out

Gilden says that while the use of light vehicles is part and parcel of enjoying the summer, she still urges caution. “In an accident, regardless of who is at fault in the eyes of the law, it is always the rider of the light vehicle that comes off worse if they collide with a car,” she remarked. “They end up suffering the most, whatever the circumstances.”

If the rider is at fault in such a collision, the damage they incur may initially be covered by motor insurance, but the law grants the insurer the right to recover the costs from them at a later point.

“There are a lot of owners out there who are unaware of the fact that the law currently obliges them to insure light vehicles with a design speed of more than 25 km/h or a gross weight of over 25 kg,” Gilden added, referring to a legal amendment which came into force last year.

To make the use of light vehicles safer, the experienced insurer recommends the following:

• Electric scooters should only be ridden by one person
• The condition of a scooter should be checked before each ride
• Helmets should be worn by everyone (incl. adult riders, even though it is only mandatory for users up to the age of 16)
• Choose your speed in line with the prevailing weather and road conditions
• Be mindful of pedestrians and other vehicles at intersections (and generally)
• Don’t drink and drive, since doing so places yourself and other road users at risk
• Avoid riding mini-mopeds on footpaths and light vehicles on roads