The Rise of E-Scooter Accidents and Legal Rights for Injured Riders

In recent years, electric scooters (or e-scooters) have rapidly grown in popularity across the U.S., especially in busy cities like New York. Commuters use them to avoid traffic; tourists use them to explore the city; even casual riders use them to enjoy the city on a day-to-day basis. There’s more people riding them everywhere because they offer convenience, affordability, and accessibility, but they also come with serious risks. 

As their use increases, so do the number of accidents and injuries, and many people who are injured in e-scooter crashes don’t realize they may have legal options. At Morelli Law, we represent people who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, including e-scooter riders, pedestrians, and others affected by these modes of transportation.

If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident, here’s what you need to know about your rights, who may be liable, and how to seek compensation. 

The Rise of E-Scooter Accidents 

E-scooter rentals from companies have become a fixture in major cities., but their rapid rollout has outpaced the development of safety regulations and infrastructure. As a result, serious accidents involving e-scooters are becoming more common. 

According to recent reports from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), e-scooter injuries have more than doubled in the last five years. These accidents often involve: 

• Riders colliding with vehicles 
• Riders hitting pedestrians or cyclists 
• Scooters malfunctioning due to poor maintenance 
• Riders losing control due to road hazards 
• Pedestrians tripping over discarded scooters 

These crashes can cause serious, even life-threatening injuries. 

Common E-Scooter Accident Injuries 

Whether you’re a rider or a bystander, an e-scooter accident can leave you with significant injuries. These include: 

• Broken bones 
• Head trauma or concussions 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Facial injuries and dental damage 
• Road rash and lacerations 
• Internal bleeding or organ damage 

These injuries are often exacerbated because scooters lack any real protective features and because many riders don’t wear helmets. When accidents occur, injuries can be severe, even in relatively low-speed accidents. 

Your Legal Rights as an Injured E-Scooter Rider 

If you’re injured while riding an e-scooter, you may have legal options depending on how the accident occurred and who was at fault. You may be able to file a claim against: 

• A negligent driver who hit you while you were riding 
• A pedestrian or cyclist who caused the accident 
• The scooter company, if the scooter was defective or poorly maintained 
• The city or municipality, if a hazardous road condition contributed to the crash 
• A business or property owner, if the accident occurred on unsafe private property 

Even if you’re unsure who was at fault, our personal injury lawyers can investigate the details and help determine liability. 

What If You Were Partially at Fault? 

In many accidents, fault isn’t one-sided. Maybe you were riding too fast, but a driver still made an illegal turn. In these situations, you may still be able to recover compensation thanks to comparative negligence laws, which allow you to receive partial damages based on the other party’s level of responsibility. 

Legal Rights for Pedestrians Injured by E-Scooters 

You don’t have to be riding a scooter to be hurt by one. Pedestrians are often injured when: 

• A scooter rider loses control and collides with them 
• Scooters are abandoned on sidewalks, creating trip hazards 
• Riders operate e-scooters recklessly in pedestrian zones 

If you were hit by a scooter or tripped over one due to someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against: 

• The scooter rider 
• The scooter company (if it failed to ensure safe parking or equipment standards) 
• The city or business responsible for keeping sidewalks clear

Can You Sue a Scooter Company? 

Possibly. Many scooter rental companies try to shield themselves from liability through user agreements and waivers. However, they may still be held accountable if they: 

• Failed to properly maintain or inspect the scooter 
• Distributed scooters with known mechanical defects 
• Did not follow local safety regulations 

How Do You Prove Fault in an E-Scooter Accident? 

Like other personal injury cases, proving fault in an e-scooter crash requires strong evidence. We will look for: 

• Police reports and traffic citations 
• Photos of the scene and your injuries 
• Video surveillance or dash cam footage 
• Eyewitness accounts 
• Medical records 
• Scooter maintenance logs (if a defect is suspected) 

Collecting and preserving evidence is important to your case, which is why it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. At Morelli Law, we help injury victims pursue the maximum compensation available to help them move forward with dignity and financial security. 

Tips for Protecting Your Rights After an E-Scooter Accident 

If you’ve been injured, here are some steps you can take to protect your health and legal rights: 

• Seek medical attention immediately, even for minor injuries. 
• Call the police and report the incident. This creates a formal record. 
• Take photos of the accident scene, scooter, and your injuries. 
• Collect contact information from any witnesses. 
• Preserve the scooter, if possible, or note the brand, serial number, and condition. 
• Avoid making statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel. 
• Contact a personal injury attorney to review your case. 

Get Help with Your E-Scooter Accident 

At Morelli Law, we understand the unique challenges that come with e-scooter accident cases, including new technology, unclear liability, and powerful corporations looking to avoid responsibility. Our firm has a proven track record of handling complex personal injury claims and delivering results, even when the odds are stacked against our clients. We’ve won over a billion dollars for our clients. 

From investigating the crash to negotiating with insurers or taking your case to court, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. We don’t just build strong cases, we build the trust and support our clients need during one of the most difficult times in their lives. 

If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident, don’t face it alone. Contact our team for a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.