E-Scooter Crashes Caused by Road Hazards
Electric scooters are uniquely vulnerable to road surface conditions. With small wheels — typically 8 to 10 inches in diameter — and limited suspension, e-scooters can become uncontrollable when encountering potholes, cracked pavement, uneven surfaces, gravel, railroad tracks, or debris in the roadway. Hazards that a car would roll over without incident can launch an e-scooter rider into traffic or onto the pavement, resulting in devastating injuries. According to a CDC study on e-scooter injuries, surface conditions and road hazards are a leading contributing factor in e-scooter crashes — second only to motor vehicle collisions.
At Roden Law, our e-scooter accident attorneys investigate the road conditions at the crash site to determine whether a municipality, property owner, construction company, or other party bears responsibility for the hazard that caused your injuries.
Common Road Hazards That Cause E-Scooter Crashes
Our attorneys have represented e-scooter riders injured by a wide range of road surface defects and hazards, including:
- Potholes and pavement cracks: Even moderate potholes can catch a scooter’s small front wheel, stopping it abruptly and throwing the rider forward
- Uneven pavement transitions: Raised or sunken utility covers, expansion joints, and curb transitions that create drop-offs
- Gravel, sand, and loose debris: Loose material that eliminates tire traction, especially on turns
- Construction zones: Unmarked steel plates, trenches, loose gravel, and missing signage in active work zones
- Railroad and trolley tracks: Metal rails that trap narrow scooter wheels and cause loss of control
- Poorly maintained bike lanes: Bike lanes filled with debris, broken glass, or standing water
- Missing or inadequate signage: Failure to warn of upcoming hazards, grade changes, or road closures
Government Liability for Dangerous Roads in Georgia & South Carolina
When a road hazard is caused by government negligence — such as failing to repair known potholes or maintain safe bike lanes — the municipality or state agency responsible for the road may be liable for your injuries. Georgia’s ante-litem notice requirement under O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5 requires written notice to the city or county within six months of the injury before filing suit. For state-level claims, O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26 (the Georgia Tort Claims Act) imposes a 12-month ante-litem notice period.
South Carolina waives sovereign immunity for certain government torts under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act (S.C. Code § 15-78-10 et seq.), but caps damages at $300,000 per claimant and requires filing within two years. Both states impose shorter notice deadlines than standard personal injury claims, making prompt legal action essential.
Property Owner Liability for Hazardous Conditions
Not all road hazards involve public roads. Private property owners — including shopping centers, apartment complexes, office parks, and parking garages — have a duty to maintain safe surfaces on their premises. If you crashed your e-scooter due to a hazard on private property, you may have a premises liability claim against the property owner. Similarly, construction companies that create hazardous conditions without adequate warnings can be held liable under general negligence principles.
Proving a Road Hazard E-Scooter Case
Success in a road hazard case requires documenting the specific condition that caused the crash and proving that the responsible party knew or should have known about the hazard. Critical evidence includes photographs of the hazard taken immediately after the crash, measurements of potholes or pavement defects, city maintenance request records showing prior complaints, weather and lighting conditions at the time, and the scooter’s GPS data showing exact location and speed. Our attorneys work with civil engineering experts who evaluate whether road conditions met applicable safety standards.
Why Choose Roden Law for Road Hazard E-Scooter Claims
Claims against municipalities and government agencies involve strict procedural requirements and short notice deadlines that can bar your claim if missed. Our attorneys have extensive experience navigating government liability claims in both Georgia and South Carolina, and we act quickly to preserve evidence and comply with all ante-litem notice requirements. Contact us immediately after a road hazard e-scooter crash — delays can be fatal to your case.