Electric scooters have become a fixture of Austin’s streets, offering a fast and convenient way to get around the city. But when a rider is struck by a car, cut off in traffic, or thrown from a scooter due to a dangerous road condition, the resulting injuries can be far more serious than people expect, including broken bones, head trauma, and injuries requiring significant medical care.

If an electric scooter accident has resulted in lost income and significant medical bills, you need experienced attorneys. Our resources and proven record will help hold the responsible parties accountable. Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP has been representing injured Austinites since 1959, earning a 98% success rate and recovering over $100 million for clients. As board-certified personal injury trial lawyers, we understand what it takes to pursue maximum compensation, and our catastrophic injury attorneys are prepared to put that experience to work for you.

Are Electric Scooter Accidents on the Rise?

Electric scooters have grown rapidly in popularity, and so have the injuries associated with them. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, e-scooter injuries rose 22% in 2022 alone, with an estimated 360,800 emergency department visits linked to micromobility devices from 2017 through 2022. These numbers reflect a real and growing risk for riders in cities such as Austin, where scooters share crowded streets and intersections with motor vehicles.

Riders face hazards from inattentive drivers, uneven pavement, poor lighting, and defective scooter equipment. Many accidents happen when a motor vehicle turns into a scooter’s path, opens a door into a lane, or fails to yield. Because scooters offer very little physical protection, even a moderate-speed collision can result in serious harm.

What Injuries Do Electric Scooter Accident Victims Commonly Suffer?

Electric scooter riders are uniquely vulnerable because they have no surrounding structure to absorb the impact force. Injuries in these cases tend to be significant, and some require long-term treatment or rehabilitation. The following are injuries commonly seen in electric scooter accidents:

  • Traumatic brain injuries: even with a helmet, a hard impact can cause a concussion or more serious brain trauma
  • Fractures: wrists, arms, and collarbones are particularly common fracture sites during falls or collisions
  • Road rash and lacerations: skin injuries from sliding across pavement can result in infections and scarring
  • Spinal injuries: falls at speed can cause disc damage or more severe spinal cord trauma
  • Internal injuries: blunt force from a collision may cause organ damage that is not immediately visible

Not every injury is immediately apparent after an accident. Symptoms from spinal or brain injuries can develop over hours or days, which is why seeking evaluation as soon as possible matters.

Who May Be Liable in an Electric Scooter Accident?

Determining who is responsible after an electric scooter accident depends on the specific facts of the case. In many situations, liability extends beyond just the driver who caused the collision. An attorney can investigate the circumstances to identify all potentially responsible parties.

Negligent Drivers

The most common scenario involves a driver who fails to notice a scooter rider, fails to yield, or is distracted behind the wheel. Texas car accident law allows injured riders to pursue compensation from an at-fault driver’s insurance, and in serious cases, directly from the driver.

Property Owners and Government Entities

Dangerous road conditions, including potholes, uneven pavement, and missing signage, can cause a scooter rider to lose control without any involvement from another vehicle. In those cases, a property owner or municipality may be held liable under premises liability law. Proving these claims requires a careful review of maintenance records and prior complaints about the hazard.

Scooter Companies and Manufacturers

Rental scooter companies are required to maintain their fleets in a safe condition. A scooter with defective brakes, a faulty throttle, or worn components can malfunction without warning. When equipment failure contributes to an accident, the company that owns or manufactures the scooter may share in liability.

What Compensation May Be Available After an Electric Scooter Accident?

Riders who are seriously hurt in electric scooter accidents may be entitled to compensation for the full scope of their losses. This includes current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if the injuries affect your ability to work. You may also have a claim for pain and suffering, which accounts for the physical and emotional toll the accident has taken on your life.

In the most serious accidents, those that result in permanent disability or the death of the rider, additional forms of compensation may apply. Texas wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover damages for their own loss, including funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the loss of the relationship itself. An attorney can assess which forms of compensation apply to your specific situation and build a case designed to pursue the full amount.

How Can an Attorney Help After an Electric Scooter Accident?

Insurance companies often move quickly after an accident, and their first goal is to minimize what they pay out. Adjusters may contact you before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and offer a settlement that does not come close to covering your actual losses. Having an attorney involved early can help prevent that outcome.

Our attorneys gather evidence from the scene, obtain accident reports, review surveillance footage, and consult with medical and accident reconstruction professionals when necessary. For riders sharing the road with traffic, building a strong liability case often requires demonstrating exactly what the other party did wrong. Pedestrian and scooter cases, much such as those handled by our pedestrian accident attorneys, require a thorough understanding of how Texas law treats vulnerable road users and how to hold negligent drivers accountable.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP

Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP has spent more than 65 years representing injury victims across Austin and central Texas. Our firm is listed in Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms, and the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and our attorneys are board-certified personal injury trial lawyers recognized by U.S. News & World Report. We do not represent a high volume of clients, we take on cases where we can make a real difference, and we work every case with the attention it deserves.

If you or someone you know has been hurt in an electric scooter accident, do not hesitate to reach out before accepting any settlement offer. Our team works on a contingency basis, meaning there are no fees unless we win your case. Contact our office today to speak with an attorney and get a clear understanding of your options.