Electric Scooter Risks & Dangers

In recent years, the streets of urban areas have seen a major rise in electric scooters and other micromobility devices. These small motorized scooters are fast, easy to rent, and offer quick transportation across busy cities. However, while they offer convenience, they also come with serious safety issues. Many riders suffer significant injuries because the risks & dangers of electric scooters are often overlooked.

Davidoff Law understands how painful and confusing these accidents can be. Our legal team helps e-scooter riders and pedestrians injured in e-scooter accidents get the justice and compensation they deserve. Our e-scooter accident lawyer helps people across New York recover after severe e-scooter injuries, guiding them through the process step-by-step and ensuring they understand their rights.

The Growing Popularity of Electric Scooters

Across most cities, electric scooters have become a common sight on sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads. They are easy to use, affordable, and fun for riders of all ages. Still, their fast growth has also increased safety concerns and led to more accidents and injuries among the general population.

A Convenient Urban Trend

Powered scooters have become popular in college campuses and busy downtown areas because they make short trips faster than bikes or walking. The convenience of being able to rent and ride e-scooters anywhere makes them appealing, especially in crowded urban areas.

But this popularity also means more people are riding without knowing the local regulations, leading to more e-scooter crashes and severe injuries.

Lack of Regulation and Oversight

In many cities, there are still very few regulations to control e-scooter usage. Without strong rules or regular inspections, e-scooters are often left in unsafe conditions or used in dangerous areas. Riders share roads with motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, which raises the risk of accidents. Clearer laws and helmet laws could help protect everyone who shares the road.

Common Risks and Dangers of Electric Scooters

While e-scooters make travel easier, they also bring serious risks that many people don’t realize until an accident happens. Most cities are still learning how to make their roads safer for these new micromobility devices, but riders must also do their part by being aware of their surroundings.

Inexperienced Riders

Many e-scooter riders are new to operating e-scooters, and they don’t fully understand how to balance or brake safely. Without training or protective gear, even a small mistake can cause a major crash. Lack of experience increases the risk of fractures, head injuries, and internal injuries.

Road Hazards and Poor Infrastructure

Uneven pavement, potholes, and broken bike lanes make it difficult to operate electric scooters safely. These road problems cause control issues for users, especially at high speeds. Most e-scooters have small wheels that easily lose balance on cracks or bumps, turning a simple trip into a dangerous fall.

Mechanical Failures and Defective Scooters

Some scooters fail because of poor maintenance or faulty parts. Issues like brake failure, weak batteries, or defective models can lead to severe injuries. Scooter companies that skip safety checks or ignore reports from patients at a major trauma center can be held responsible for e-scooter crashes caused by defective designs.

Traffic Collisions

E-scooter riders often share the road with motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, which leads to many serious accidents. Drivers don’t always see e-scooters in time, especially at night or when traffic is heavy. These collisions often cause head injuries, internal injuries, or broken bones that require long recovery times.

Riding Under the Influence

Using alcohol or drugs while riding or operating e-scooters is extremely dangerous. It reduces reaction time and makes it hard to stay balanced or stop quickly. Many e-scooter injuries happen at night, when visibility is low and riders are more likely to be impaired.

Why Electric Scooter Injuries Are So Severe

E-scooter injuries can be more serious than most people expect. Because electric scooters lack the protection found in motor vehicles, even minor accidents can cause life-changing harm. The injury severity depends on speed, road conditions, and whether the rider was wearing helmets or other protective gear.

Lack of Physical Protection

Unlike cars, motorbikes, or bicycles, electric scooters do not offer seat belts or metal frames for body protection. When a crash happens, riders take the full impact, often resulting in severe injuries such as fractures, head injuries, and deep cuts.

Head and Brain Injuries

Studies by the Consumer Product Safety Commission show that head injuries are among the most common results of e-scooter crashes. Many of these could be prevented if riders would wear helmets. Failing to do so puts them at serious risk of brain trauma or even permanent damage.

Collision Force and Ejection

At high speed, the impact of a crash can throw the rider’s head and body onto the ground or against another object. Being ejected from a scooter can cause internal injuries, broken bones, or spinal damage. The faster the electric scooters move, the higher the risk of severe trauma.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

E-scooter collisions often involve motor vehicles or bikes, making them even more dangerous. When multiple vehicles are involved, the severity of injuries increases because riders are often trapped or hit more than once. This can cause long-term disabilities or require treatment at a major trauma center.

Liability in Electric Scooter Accidents

Determining who is responsible for e-scooter accidents can be difficult. Each case is different, and several parties may share the blame. Understanding who is liable helps injured riders know how to get compensation for their losses.

Negligent Drivers

Many electric scooter accidents happen because of negligent drivers who fail to watch for smaller micromobility devices like scooters or e-bikes on the road. Drivers who text, speed, or ignore traffic signs put riders and pedestrians in danger.

Since motor vehicles are much larger and heavier, they cause severe injuries when they collide with a scooter. A careless driver who causes a crash can be held legally responsible for the injuries and damage that follow. Staying alert and giving e-scooter riders enough space can help prevent many of these tragic accidents.

Scooter Companies

Scooter companies have a legal duty to keep their scooters safe for public use. They must perform regular inspections, fix mechanical problems, and replace damaged scooters before letting new riders rent them. When companies ignore maintenance, skip safety checks, or fail to respond to user complaints, they put everyone at risk.

Faulty brakes, worn tires, and broken steering parts are all common causes of e-scooter accidents. If poor upkeep leads to an injury, the company can be held accountable for the electric scooter risks & dangers they allowed to continue.

Manufacturers and Product Defects

Sometimes, manufacturers are to blame when motorized scooters are made with defective parts or unsafe designs. Faulty wiring, weak brakes, or loose handlebars can make a scooter impossible to operate safely. Even careful riders can get hurt when a defective product causes them to lose control or crash at high speed.

When this happens, victims can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. These companies are responsible for testing their products and ensuring they meet safety standards before releasing them to the public.

City or Municipality Liability

In some cases, the city or municipality may share responsibility for e-scooter accidents. Poorly maintained roads, large potholes, missing bike lanes, or broken sidewalks make it hard for e-scooter riders to travel safely. Cities also play a role in enforcing regulations and creating safe spaces for micromobility devices like electric scooters and e-bikes.

When the city fails to fix hazards or ignores dangerous conditions, it may be held liable for the injuries that result. Keeping roads smooth and clearly marked is part of the city’s duty to protect the public.

What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident

After a crash, staying calm and acting quickly can make a big difference in your recovery and legal claim. Taking the right steps helps protect your health and ensures you have the proof you need to seek compensation.

Seek Immediate Medical Help

If you are hurt in an electric scooter crash, your health should come first. Always get checked by a doctor, even if your injuries seem small. Some internal injuries or head injuries do not show symptoms right away but can become worse over time.

Getting medical treatment quickly also creates a record that links your injuries to the accident, which helps your case later. Immediate care can prevent severe injuries from becoming life-threatening.

Report the Accident

Once you are safe, report the electric scooter accident to the police or local authorities. The report helps document what happened, who was involved, and where the crash took place. This record is important when dealing with scooter companies, insurance, or possible legal claims.

If another person or motor vehicle caused the crash, make sure their information is included in the report. Reporting quickly helps avoid confusion later and ensures your version of events is clearly written down.

Gather Evidence

• Take Photos: Photograph the scooter, your injuries, and the road conditions, including any potholes or damage. Pictures help show what caused the accident and how bad it was.
• Collect Witness Information: Ask any pedestrians or bystanders for their names and contact details. Witnesses can confirm what happened if questions arise later.
• Save Medical Records: Keep copies of doctor visits, hospital reports, and bills. These documents prove your injury severity and support your claim for compensation.
• Keep Communication: Save messages, emails, or app notifications from scooter companies or insurance providers. They can show how the company handled your case and what they were told.

Contact an Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer

After an accident, contact a lawyer who understands electric scooter risks & dangers and has experience with micromobility devices. A lawyer will review your case, handle communication with insurance companies, and protect your legal rights.

FAQs

What are the most common e-scooter injuries?

Head injuries, fractures, and internal injuries are among the most common injuries seen in e-scooter riders.

Can children ride e-scooters?

No. Children should never ride e-scooters, as they are not strong or experienced enough to operate them safely.

Are e-bikes safer than e-scooters?

Electric bikes, or E-bikes, may be slightly safer because they are more stable, but e-bike injuries still happen often, especially in most cities with heavy traffic.

What safety tips should e-bike riders follow for safe usage?

E-bike riders should always wear helmets, follow traffic signals, and stay in bike lanes when possible. Practicing safe usage means checking brakes and tires before every ride and never riding while using a phone or wearing headphones. Staying alert helps prevent accidents and keeps both riders and pedestrians safe.

How are e-bikes and e-scooters compared to other types of transportation?

E-bikes and e-scooters are faster and cheaper than walking or public transit, but they also carry higher risks. Various types of micromobility devices, like motorized scooters and electric bikes, have become popular in cities, but they require more balance, awareness, and proper safety habits compared to traditional bicycles.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Queens Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured while riding or hit by an electric scooter, Davidoff Law can help. Our Queens personal injury lawyer understands how complex these e-scooter and e-bike cases can be. We carefully review every detail, collect evidence, and build a strong case to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

We know that the risks & dangers of electric scooters can cause life-changing injuries, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will explain your options in simple terms and fight for your rights so you can focus on healing and moving forward with confidence.