If You’ve Been Injured on an Electric Scooter

💡 Quick Answer: Can I Sue After an Electric Scooter Accident?

If your injuries were caused by a defective scooter, unsafe road conditions, or a negligent driver, you may have a claim for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Scooter accident cases often involve multiple liable parties, including drivers, rental companies, manufacturers, and property owners.

If you’re an urban dweller or you like to vacation in cities across the U.S., you may make it a practice to rent an electric scooter to make your morning ride through city streets faster than driving your car or taking public transportation. Or you may simply find it fun and exciting to go scootering around the city. Most cities have had Bird scooters, for example, available for easy pick-up and return at various rental kiosks in various key spots since 2017.

What you likely fail to realize, however, is that these scooters have been found to be inherently dangerous vehicles, often causing their riders catastrophic injuries. The trend of micromobility has many dangers.

The Dangers of Electric Scooters

Here are some alarming statistics to consider about electric scooter accidents in the U.S.:

Recent national studies have shown a sharp increase in the number of electric scooter accidents
Nearly 300% increase from 2020 to 2024
Over 18% involve head injuries
Children under 15 injuries more than doubled in 2024
Annual hospitalizations have increased nearly 5x between 2016-2024
Median age of injured e-scooter riders: 30 years old

Our experienced Richmond personal injury lawyers and Charlottesville, VA injury lawyers from MartinWren, P.C. can confirm that electric scooter accidents are occurring with greater frequency. We have represented several students injured while on e-scooters on the UVA grounds. And we are aware of increasing electric scooter accidents for work commuters in Richmond, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Roanoke.

It is important for scooter accident victims to be educated about their rights under the law, as many accident victims are unaware of the opportunities for legal recourse available to them.

For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100

Typical Electric Scooter Injuries

While you can sustain an almost unlimited list of injuries if your scooter malfunctions or crashes, the most common injuries sustained by riders include the following:

Broken bones, particularly in your ankles, legs, wrists, arms, hands and shoulders
Spinal cord injuries
Broken nose
Burns
Concussion or other traumatic brain injury
Facial lacerations
Wrongful death

You may face a substantial hospital stay for any of the above injuries, partially due to a possible need for surgery. You may also require lengthy physical therapy after your hospital discharge.

Who’s Responsible for Your Injuries?

E-scooter injury cases can involve multiple liable parties:

Rental companies (Bird, Lime) for inadequate maintenance
Manufacturers (Segway, Xiaomi) for defective designs
Property owners for dangerous conditions
Negligent drivers who strike scooter riders
Other riders causing collisions

An experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer can identify all responsible parties to maximize your compensation.

Class Action Lawsuits

Not surprisingly, Bird and its main competitor Lime, along with Segway, Inc. and Xiaomi USA, Inc., the companies that manufacture these scooters, have been named as defendants in various class action lawsuits, the most notable ones being launched from Florida and California. These lawsuits claim the following:

Malfunctioning brakes
Malfunctioning acceleration systems
Malfunctioning throttles
Handlebars that suddenly fall off
Wheels that suddenly fall off
Sudden and unexpected fires

The lawsuits also allege not only that Bird and Lime fail to train the users of their respective scooters, but also that their respective literature fails to warn of the vehicles’ inherent dangers, even when used for their intended purposes. In other words, the lawsuits allege that neither Bird nor Lime scooters are fit for repeated public use and the companies have therefore breached their warranties.

What to Do Immediately After an E-Scooter Injury

Your actions in the hours after your accident can make or break your case. Follow these steps:

Immediate Actions:

Seek medical attention even if you feel okay—brain injuries don’t always show immediate symptoms
Take photos of the scooter, including serial numbers and any visible defects
Screenshot your rental details from the app (trip data, speed, route, rental time)
Document the scene with photos and videos
Get witness information if anyone saw what happened
Report the incident to the rental company through the app
File a police report for significant injuries

Within 24-48 Hours:

Visit your doctor for a comprehensive examination
Save all medical records and bills
Write down everything you remember about the accident
Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney
Contact MartinWren, P.C. for a free case evaluation

Critical: The scooter company may try to delete trip data or move the defective scooter. Your attorney can send a preservation letter requiring them to save this evidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are electric scooters legal in Virginia?

Yes, electric scooters are legal in Virginia for riders 14 and older on roads with speed limits of 25 mph or less. Riders under 14 must wear helmets and be supervised by adults. Many localities prohibit sidewalk riding.

Q: Can I sue if I’m injured on a Bird or Lime scooter?

Yes. You may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit if your injury resulted from equipment malfunction, inadequate safety warnings, or defective design. Multiple class action lawsuits are currently active against major e-scooter companies.

Q: What are the most common electric scooter injuries?

The most common injuries are extremity injuries, head and neck injuries, and fractures. E-scooter riders are more likely to suffer internal injuries than conventional riders.

Q: Do I need a lawyer for an e-scooter injury claim?

Scooter companies have substantial legal resources and will try to minimize your compensation. An experienced attorney can preserve evidence, navigate class action options, and maximize your recovery.