New York E-Scooter Accident Attorneys

We Can Help You Pursue the Compensation You Deserve

Both privately owned or Rent-to-ride electric scooters, or “e-scooters,” are the latest micro-mobility fad to hit New York’s busy streets. E-scooter rental companies, including Bird and Lyme, advertise these devices as fun, trendy, and cost-effective transportation options. However, state lawmakers and safety organizations tend to have mixed feelings about these vehicles. Just recently have they finally become legal in New York.

The following safety concerns have been linked to electric scooters:

• These devices are unstable by design.
• Scooterists are vulnerable to distracted and speeding motorists.
• Roadside clutter and uneven pavement can easily overturn a scooter.
• Drivers are not used to seeing these devices on the road.
• E-scooters lack built-in safety features, and companies don’t provide customers with helmets.
• Electric scooters are popular with young and inexperienced riders.
• Before renting a scooter, customers need to read an extensive (skimmable) liability waiver that protects the company from certain civil lawsuits.

Common Causes of Electric Scooter Crashes

• Road Hazards: From debris in the road to potholes and uneven surfaces, there are numerous hazards scooter riders can encounter that might cause them to lose control.
• Lack of Visibility: Electric scooters are significantly smaller than cars and trucks, which makes it more difficult for drivers to see them when making turns or changing lanes.
• Crashes with Motor Vehicles: Riders remain incredibly vulnerable while on board these products. Whether by being "doored" or other interactions with motor vehicles on the street, the risk remains very real for the user.

Last February, a Consumer Reports investigation revealed that there were over 1,500 e-scooter injuries reported in 2018. According to the report, “Several doctors at trauma centers told CR they’ve been treating serious injuries related to e-scooters since the ride-share fleets were launched.

A scooterist can sustain the following injuries and more during an accident:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Concussions and contusions
• Nasal fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple bone fractures
• Neck injuries

Sarah Holder, a staff writer at CityLab, wrote “Anatomy of an Electric Scooter Crash” after she was injured by a malfunctioning electric scooter. In her article, Holder describes how she has ridden scooters with broken brakes, sticky accelerators, and faulty motors, all dangerous issues that can result in severe and even fatal injuries.

Why Are E-Scooters Dangerous?

As of 2018, over 85,000 e-scooters were available for public use in about 100 US cities. Needless to say, these powerful little machines are all the rage these days. If you choose to ride an e-scooter, we encourage you to take the necessary precautions. Time and time again, we see riders who have run into issues with these scooters, so much so that we have developed standard protocol for the steps we need to take in these cases. According to a study published in JAMA Surgery, the number of scooter-related injuries and hospital admissions in the United States grew by 222% between 2014 and 2018, resulting in more than 39,000 injuries. Another study conducted by the CDC showed that for every 100,000 e-scooter trips taken, 20 individuals will have an injury. Some other jarring statistics about the dangers of e-scooters include: 

• 48% of the individuals injured in these studies were between the ages of 18-29, meaning that young adults are suffering the most from the dangers of e-scooters
• 38% of the individuals injured reported that they would ride an e-scooter again, which leads us to believe that these injuries are not interfering with the popularity of e-scooters
• 33% of those injured were first-time riders
• Nearly 50% of those injured sustained a severe injury
• Individuals were most likely to become injured in the evening or early morning between the hours of 6pm and 6am

So what is it that makes e-scooters such a liability? For one, many riders approach these machines with a false sense of confidence because they are not given clear instructions on the best ways to ride them and their potential dangers. This means that sometimes, the crashes can be a user issue, but other times, the poor design and lack of communication with customers is to blame. Below are some features of e-scooters that make them particularly dangerous: