An electric scooter, such as those owned by Bird, Lyft and Lime, is not the type of vehicle that you sit on and operate like a motorcycle or motorbike. Instead, these electric scooters require you to stand. They very much resemble, in design, the traditional Razor scooter.

However, unlike a non-electric scooter, you don’t use your foot to propel a Lyft, Lime or Bird scooter forward. Instead, you push a throttle button with your thumb. Both feet remain stationary on the footboard while the ride is in motion. To get the scooter to stop or slow down, you squeeze a hand brake.

These scooters are also unique in how you rent them. You can locate and activate a scooter by using an app. When you arrive at your destination, you are free to leave the scooter where you want. There are no designated pick-up or drop-off points for the scooters. This is why, in recent months, you may see these scooters all over the place in Denver – in front of buildings, on sidewalks and in the grass.

While electric scooters can be fun, they can also be very dangerous, too. Reasons why Bird, Lyft or Lime electric scooters pose a threat include:

• Despite Regulations, Most Riders Don’t Know Where They Can – or Cannot – Operate the Scooters. In turn, motor vehicle drivers are unsure of where they can expect to encounter scooter riders. Riders may be found on sidewalks, bike lanes, crossing at intersections or right in the road.
• Riders Typically Don’t Wear Helmets. When an accident occurs, the head often makes contact with the ground, another vehicle or another object. Riders can, as a result, suffer serious head and brain trauma.
• The Scooters Travel Much Faster than Human-Propelled Scooters. Electric Lime and Bird scooters can actually reach speeds of up to 15 mph. That may not seem very fast. Still, if an accident occurs when a device is traveling at 15 mph, it can have devastating consequences.
• Riders are Often Distracted. Just like pedestrians and drivers, electric scooter riders may text or talk on a phone while riding, talk to friends riding alongside them, listen to music or even attempt to eat or drink.

The above risks are in addition to all of the other risks associated with motor vehicles and walking or biking around motor vehicles.

Just like riding a bike or walking, those who choose to get around on an electric scooter have few – if any – protections to keep them from harm. The majority of riders don’t even wear proper footwear or long-sleeved shirts and pants – let alone a helmet. So, when an accident occurs, especially if the scooter accident involves a motor vehicle, the damages may be catastrophic. Types of injuries that are possible include:

Electric scooter accidents can, in this sense, lead to extensive medical costs and loss of income due to the inability to work. These accidents also have the potential to be fatal.

Because they are still new, regulations and liability issues with electric scooters are still being worked out. They vary from city-to-city. However, in most cases, liability for an electric scooter accident is based on negligence. If you have been in an electric scooter accident that was caused by a dangerous driver – for example, a driver who was distracted, speeding, failed to yield or otherwise acting unreasonably at the time of crash – then you should be able to file a claim for damages directly against the driver (or the driver’s insurance company).

Other parties who might be to blame for a scooter accident include:

• The Electric Scooter Company (if the accident was caused by a scooter defect or malfunction)
• The Party Responsible For Road Or Sidewalk Maintenance (like the City of Denver if a hazardous condition such as a pothole caused the accident)
• Any Other Third Party whose actions contributed to your harm.

Keep in mind: Your own negligence can affect the amount of compensation that you can potentially recover in an electric scooter accident claim. For example, in Denver, the city considers scooters to be “toy vehicles.” The city requires that scooter riders stay on the sidewalk. So, if you were riding in the street or in a bike lane at the time of your crash, Colorado’s contributory negligence law could diminish the amount of damages that you can recover. This may also prove true if you were riding without a helmet, distracted or not wearing other proper gear.

Yes, there would be coverage for anything related being wheels. If they hit or damaged something the coverage from our policy would extend much like if they rented a vehicle from Enterprise. They also gave me an example of a grocery cart. If a grocery cart hit something or someone there would be coverage under the property damage as a collision.

Yes. If you are the injured pedestrian and the person driving the scooter was uninsured, your UM/UIM coverage may kick in, depending on the specifics of your policy.

As experienced trial lawyers, our approach is different. We approach cases differently than what you may find at other law firms. We strategize in case development so when the motorized scooter accident lawsuit is filed in the docket, it is presented professionally, with sound evidence. If the case cannot be settled outside of court (in most cases it will be), we move forward with a lawsuit to seek justice on your behalf.

Your case will be thoroughly evaluated to determine the monetary award for after suffering a scooter injury, the specific damages including:

If you are involved in an accident while riding a Lime or Bird electric scooter, you need to take action immediately. Our Denver Lime or Bird scooter accident lawyers at Larson Larimer Schneider are ready to help you understand your rights, explore your options and fight for full and fair compensation. Contact a Denver Lime or Bird scooter accident attorney today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.