Scooter Accidents

“Electric scooter injuries increased by more than 45% annually,” according to a study of more than 86,500 individuals. In the five year period examined, there were more than 189,000 e-scooter injuries. ⁽¹⁾

People riding an e-scooter, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists, are at risk from accidents. Some of these accidents may result from a faulty e-scooter. Others are due to violation of traffic laws. 

Additionally, higher injury rates seem to be associated with e-scooter rentals, a growing industry. ⁽²⁾ Anyone injured in an e-scooter accident may need to file a lawsuit to get financial compensation for their injuries.

Electric Scooter Accidents

As the use of electric scooters grows, the number of accidents involving scooters is increasing.

Some companies in the business of renting scooters, typically through smartphone apps, include: 

• Bird.
• Dott.
• Goat.
• JET.
• Lime.
• Veo.
• Wind.

Scooter accidents and injury rates are a concern both nationally and locally. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports there were 209,600 e-scooter emergency department visits from 2017 through 2023. ⁽³⁾

There were 1,329 standup scooter crashes, 782 e-bike crashes and 2,991 moped crashes in New York City in a two year period, according to the New York City Council. These micromobility crash statistics were reported by its Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. ⁽⁴⁾

Recalls

In March 2025, the CPSC announced recalls of roughly 220,000 Segway Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP KickScooters. The reason for the recall is, “The folding mechanism can fail and cause the handlebars or stem to fold while the scooter is in use, posing a fall hazard to consumers.” The CPSC says there have been 68 reports of failures resulting in 20 injuries. ⁽⁵⁾

Defective products are dangerous and can result in injuries or death. If you were injured or a loved one was killed because of an e-scooter defect, you might benefit from a lawsuit to gain justice and compensation for your loss.

E-Scooter Fatalities

The CPSC report notes there were 164 e-scooter and 193 e-bike fatalities from 2017 through 2023. The primary problems with e-scooters were accidents with motor vehicles and control issues. ⁽⁶⁾

Additionally, results of a special study on e-scooters injury cases determined that 40% of e-scooter-related emergency department visits were linked to rentals. Of these, 60% occurred on paved roads and 32 of the incidents were related to brake problems. ⁽⁷⁾ 

Accident Statistics

Laws and regulations concerning scooter use within New York City (NYC) are clear. E-scooters are allowed in NYC, but cannot be operated faster than 15 miles per hour. They may be ridden in bike lanes and on streets where speed limits are up to 30 miles per hour. Helmets are required for 16 and 17 year olds and recommended for other people. ⁽⁸⁾

An NYC Comptroller’s report with available data on crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving micromobility devices indicates, “E-bikes, stand-up scooters, and mopeds account for 1.8% of all pedestrian fatalities between 2020 to 2023, or eight out of 449; and roughly 4.5% of all pedestrian injuries, or 1,276 out of 28,450 total injuries.” This report goes on to say, “fatalities and injuries involving e-bikes, stand-up scooters, and mopeds have seen a significant uptick.” ⁽⁹⁾

Studies show head injuries are the majority of serious injuries in e-bike and e-scooter accidents, but there are also neck and spinal injuries. “About 40% of the reported injuries occurred to the head and neck region,” says Johns Hopkins. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Another study claims hospitalizations were required in 10% of scooter accidents. It states 37% of victims suffered internal injuries while 24% had lacerations. ⁽¹¹⁾

Annual rates of e-bicycle and e-scooter injuries increased from 2017 to 2022. This study found that of the riders injured on an e-scooter: ⁽¹²⁾

• 64% are male.
• 50% are White. 
• 84% of injuries occur in urban settings. 
• 43% use helmets.
• 30 is the median age at the time of injury.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) states scooter accidents are associated with traumatic injuries requiring surgery. ACS says, “Compared to bicycle-related injuries, scooter-related injuries more often require surgical management and are associated with greater risks of long bone fractures and paralysis.” ⁽¹³⁾

ACS also discovered these factors regarding scooter injury: ⁽¹⁴⁾

• Hospitalizations for victims increased three-fold from 2016-2020.
• 55.8% of patients underwent major surgery such as orthoplastic procedures and head operations.
• 26.7% of patients were under 18 years of age.
• Occur more frequently in winter.
• Patients are at risk for traumatic brain injuries.
• Riders are more likely than bicycle riders to suffer long bone fractures, and paralysis.
• Injury patterns sometimes impact the chest wall or cardiothoracic area.

In another study, researchers looked at the surge in traumatic injuries from scooter accidents in major cities. They found: ⁽¹⁵⁾

• Patients were mostly males between 20 and 40 years of age.
• Helmet use was rare, well below 5%. 
• Alcohol and drug use was common; 50% of patient admissions had elevated blood alcohol levels.
• Nearly 30% had head and neck injuries, the most common injuries. 
• From 8% to 10% had major head injuries, including skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhage in the emergency department.
• Extremity injuries are the second most common injury; from 20 – 60% have upper or lower fractured or dislocated extremities. 
• 12% of orthopedic surgery patients had open fractures.
• 9% of orthopedic surgery patients had hip fractures.
• Spinal and solid organ injury can occur.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries from scooter crashes are: ^{(16) (17) (18)}

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury.
• Neck injuries.
• Fractures, including long bone structure fractures.
• Internal injuries.
• Lacerations.
• Sprains.
• Abrasions.
• Contusions.

Dangers of E-Scooters and Factors That Cause Accidents

Aside from dangers posed by possible defects in scooters, there are the dangers posed by riders themselves. Alcohol and drug use, and failure to wear helmets while riding are risky behaviors. So is trying to fit two people on a scooter designed to carry only one person at a time.

Experts agree there is a need for more public education about laws that apply to all two-wheel vehicles, from bicycles to motorcycles, due to lack of awareness or understanding on the part of riders. ^{(19) (20)}

City streets pose dangers for electric scooter riders from potholes, to stopped or parked vehicles, to moving vehicles, to pedestrians.

Among the factors that can cause e-scooter accidents are: ^{(21) (22)}

• Cars and other vehicles.
• Faulty scooters.
• Road and pavement conditions.
• Riders under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• Speed.
• Pedestrians.
• Exceeding capacity — scooters are designed for use by one person at a time.
• Riding in prohibited areas.
• Confusion over applicable laws.
• Inexperienced riders.

If you have been injured in a scooter accident and are considering a lawsuit, Weitz & Luxenberg is one of your best chances of gaining a favorable settlement or jury award to compensate you for your pain and suffering.

Accident Settlements and Verdicts

Weitz & Luxenberg, as an experienced personal injury litigation firm, has a history of success in accidents and injury cases.

W&L secured a $20.5 million verdict, along with approximately $3 million in past and future medical expenses, for a victim of a car accident. The hit-and-run left our client paralyzed for life.

We also secured a $1.4 million settlement for a woman hit by an ambulance in New York City.

Contact us at (917) LAWYERS or fill out the form, so we can discuss your case and see what we can do for you.

Updated August 2025