Why Hire Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers?
Electric scooter accident cases involve unique legal complexities. Liability may fall on the negligent driver who struck the rider, the scooter rental company (Lime, Bird, Spin) for equipment defects or inadequate maintenance, the municipality for dangerous road conditions, or the rider’s own insurance for UM/UIM coverage.
Georgia classifies electric scooters as “electric personal transporters” under O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1(15.4) and regulates their use under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-320 et seq., limiting riders to 20 mph and requiring use on streets (not sidewalks in many municipalities). South Carolina has addressed e-scooters through local ordinances in cities like Charleston and Columbia.
Our attorneys understand the intersection of traffic law, product liability, premises liability, and municipal regulation that these cases require. We identify every liable party and every source of insurance coverage to maximize your recovery.
At Roden Law, our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous victims secure millions in compensation across Georgia and South Carolina. We provide all potential clients with a free, no-obligation review of their claim and do not charge upfront legal fees.
Types of Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers Cases We Handle
Meeting the Statute of Limitations
If you fail to file within the statute of limitations, your claim will be dismissed and you will permanently lose the right to pursue compensation. You should not hesitate to consult with a skilled attorney to ensure your claim is filed on time.
Do I Have a Case?
Before our attorneys can take legal action, we must prove the four elements of negligence existed in your accident:
Duty of Care
The other party owed you a duty of care and was obligated to act in a manner that ensured your safety and the safety of others.
Breach of Duty
The other party breached that duty by failing to act as a reasonably safe and prudent person would have in the same situation.
Causation
The at-fault party's conduct and the resulting accident directly caused your injuries. We gather evidence to prove that but for their negligence, you would not have been harmed.
Damages
You suffered actual, quantifiable damages — medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering — as a direct result of the at-fault party's breach.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover
Economic Damages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle repair/replacement
- Cost of rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Assistive medical equipment
- Cost of long-term or lifelong care
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of companionship (spouse/family)
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Humiliation or loss of reputation
Non-economic damages can only be pursued through a personal injury lawsuit, not a standard insurance claim.
Comparative Fault — What If I'm Partially At Fault?
🍑 Georgia — Modified Comparative Fault
You can recover if less than 50% at fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). Your award is reduced by your fault percentage.
🌙 South Carolina — Modified Comparative Fault
You can recover if less than 51% at fault. Your award is reduced by your fault percentage.
For example, if you filed a $100,000 lawsuit and a court finds you are 30% at fault, your award would be reduced to $70,000. Our attorneys will work to minimize any fault assigned to you.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers Cases
- Distracted drivers striking scooter riders
- Drivers failing to yield to scooters at intersections
- Dooring — opening car doors into scooter path
- Road hazards (potholes, uneven pavement, grates)
- Defective scooter brakes or throttle malfunctions
- Impaired or drunk drivers
- Scooter mechanical failure or battery defects
- Inadequate cycling/scooter infrastructure
- Rider inexperience combined with traffic exposure
- Speeding in areas with scooter traffic
Common Injuries in Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers Cases
Head injuries are the most common serious e-scooter injury. Most rental scooters do not provide helmets, and many riders do not wear them. Even low-speed falls can cause concussions, skull fractures, and severe brain damage.
The instinctive reaction to a fall is to brace with the hands. This concentrates the impact force on the wrists and forearms, causing fractures that frequently require surgical repair with plates and screws.
Scooter riders falling forward over the handlebars often strike the ground face-first, causing jaw fractures, broken teeth, orbital fractures, and facial lacerations requiring reconstructive surgery.
Sliding on pavement after an e-scooter crash causes severe abrasion injuries. Scooter riders typically wear minimal protective clothing, making deep road rash common even at low speeds.
The scooter platform is close to the ground, and riders' feet and ankles are exposed. Impacts with vehicles, curbs, or the ground frequently fracture ankles, knees, and lower legs.
Being thrown from a scooter by a vehicle impact or sudden stop can cause vertebral fractures and spinal cord damage, potentially resulting in paralysis and lifelong disability.
Recent Case Results
Client paralyzed in collision with commercial semi-truck.
Defective product caused catastrophic injury.
Client suffered severe injury due to negligent property maintenance.
Wrongful death — surviving spouse of auto accident victim.
Results shown are gross settlement/verdict amounts before fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
About the Author
Reviewed by Eric Roden, Founding Partner, CEO — Licensed in Georgia & South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Georgia regulates e-scooters under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-320 et seq. Riders must be at least 15 (16 for rentals). Maximum speed is 20 mph. Many cities, including Savannah, have additional local ordinances governing where scooters can operate.
Yes. If a brake failure, throttle malfunction, structural defect, or battery issue caused your crash, the scooter company and/or manufacturer may be liable under product liability law. Their rental agreements contain arbitration clauses, but an attorney can often challenge these provisions.
The driver is liable if they were negligent — distracted, failed to yield, turned into your path, or otherwise violated traffic laws. E-scooter riders generally have the same road rights as bicyclists. Your claim would be against the driver's auto liability insurance.
Your auto policy's Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and Medical Payments (MedPay) may cover you as an e-scooter rider, similar to coverage for pedestrians and cyclists. Check your policy or ask your insurance agent.
Georgia does not require helmets for adult e-scooter riders, but strongly recommends them. Some South Carolina municipalities require helmets for scooter riders. Not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim, but may be raised as comparative fault for head injuries.
Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) and South Carolina allows 3 years (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). If a government entity is involved, shorter notice deadlines may apply under the state tort claims acts.
Contact Our Electric Scooter Accident Lawyerss Today
If you were injured and believe another party is at fault, contact us for a free, no-obligation review. We dedicate our skills and resources to recovering the maximum compensation you deserve — at no upfront cost.