Chicago Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer

Helping Injured Electric Scooter Riders Throughout Chicago

If you were injured while riding an electric scooter in Chicago, you probably have questions about what happened, who is responsible, and whether you have a legal case. Whether you were riding a rental scooter or your own personal e-scooter, a serious crash can leave you dealing with medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next. A Chicago electric scooter accident lawyer can investigate the cause of your crash, identify the responsible party, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

Our attorneys represent people injured while riding rental scooters from major brands, including Wheels, Bird, Bolt, grüv, and Jump, as well as privately owned electric scooters. Every accident is different. Some crashes are caused by negligent drivers, while others result from defective scooters, dangerous road conditions, or poor maintenance by the rental company. We understand how each rental company’s insurance coverage, liability policies, and user agreements may affect a claim.

• $2,250,000 – A commuter suffered a head injury after being struck while riding to work.
• $1,000,000 – A 26-year-old woman sustained a torn rotator cuff in a dooring accident.
• $250,000 – A rider required arthroscopic knee surgery after a driver failed to yield on a busy intersection during rush hour.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, our Chicago scooter accident attorneys are prepared to help you understand your legal options during a free consultation.

Common Types of Electric Scooter Accidents and Injuries

Every electric scooter accident is different, but many crashes happen in predictable ways. Whether you were riding a rental scooter or a privately owned e-scooter, understanding how the accident occurred helps determine who may be legally responsible. A Chicago electric scooter accident lawyer can investigate the cause of the crash and identify the parties that may be liable.

Common accident scenarios include:

• Collisions with motor vehicles: Drivers who are distracted, speeding, or fail to yield often strike electric scooter riders at intersections, while turning, or when opening a parked vehicle’s door.
• Collisions with pedestrians: Riding on sidewalks or through crowded pedestrian areas can lead to crashes that injure both riders and pedestrians.
• Collisions with bicycles or other e-scooters: Busy bike lanes and shared paths can result in collisions with cyclists or other scooter riders, especially during peak commuting hours.
• Single-scooter accidents: Potholes, broken pavement, loose gravel, wet roads, construction zones, or other hazardous conditions can cause riders to lose control and fall.
• Accidents caused by defective e-scooters: Brake failures, stuck throttles, steering defects, battery fires, or poor maintenance can cause serious crashes involving rental scooters or privately owned models.

Common injuries from electric scooter accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Broken bones and fractures
• Road rash and deep lacerations
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Shoulder, wrist, and knee injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Facial and dental injuries

If you suffered injuries because someone else acted negligently, a Chicago scooter accident attorney can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

E-Scooter Accidents Statistics

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 169,300 emergency department visits were related to electric scooter accidents between 2017 and 2022.

Surface type played a significant role in many crashes. The CPSC found that 74% of injuries occurred on paved roads, 23% on sidewalks, and 3% in driveways. Poor visibility was also a contributing factor, with 23% of injured riders reporting that darkness or inadequate lighting affected their ability to see.

Distractions were another common factor. Approximately 11% of injured e-scooter riders reported using a cell phone, listening to music, or being otherwise distracted at the time of the accident. In addition, 32% were carrying an object, such as a backpack, purse, or shopping bag, which may have affected their balance and control.

The report also found that only 13% of riders wore helmets, while 42% used blinking lights or a headlamp for visibility. Protective equipment such as knee and elbow pads was used in just 3% of cases, and 51% of injured riders reported wearing no protective gear.

Finally, the CPSC identified 111 fatalities linked to electric scooter accidents during the reporting period, with motor vehicle collisions accounting for 75 of those deaths.

While the CPSC provides nationwide injury data, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) also publishes crash statistics for traffic incidents across the state, including data that may involve electric scooter crashes. Reviewing both national and state data helps illustrate the risks riders face on Illinois roads.

Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents

E-scooter accidents happen for many reasons, often leading to serious injuries for riders and others. Common causes include:

• Rider inexperience;
• Road hazards;
• Vehicle collisions;
• Defective scooters;
• Distracted riding;
• Lack of protective gear.

Electric Scooter Rental Companies in Chicago

Many people searching for a Chicago scooter accident attorney are involved in crashes while riding a shared rental scooter. Although Chicago’s shared scooter program has changed over the years, claims involving both current and former operators are still common. Liability depends on what caused the accident, not simply which company’s name appears on the scooter.

Wheels Electric Scooter Accidents

A Wheels electric scooter accident lawyer in Chicago can help determine whether another driver, a dangerous roadway, or the scooter itself caused your injuries. Wheels operated app-based, dockless electric scooters as part of Chicago’s shared mobility programs, allowing riders to locate, unlock, and pay for scooters through a mobile app before ending the trip in approved parking areas.

If you are involved in a crash while riding a Wheels scooter, report the accident through the company’s mobile application or customer support as soon as possible. Take photographs of the scooter, save screenshots of your trip information, and seek medical attention immediately. The scooter identification number and trip details may become more difficult to retrieve after the ride has ended.

If your accident happened because the scooter’s brakes failed, the throttle became stuck, the battery malfunctioned, or another mechanical defect caused you to lose control, the rental company may be legally responsible. User waivers accepted through the app generally do not prevent injured riders from bringing claims involving defective or poorly maintained equipment. Although Wheels is no longer an active operator in Chicago, claims arising from past incidents may still be pursued depending on the circumstances.

Bird Electric Scooter Accidents

If you need a Bird electric scooter accident attorney in Chicago, the first step is determining what caused the crash. Bird was one of the country’s largest shared scooter companies and previously operated dockless rental scooters that riders unlocked through the Bird app. Riders could locate nearby scooters using GPS, begin a ride with their phone, and leave the scooter in approved public locations after the trip ended.

Anyone injured while riding a Bird scooter should report the incident through the Bird app or customer support and preserve all available evidence, including screenshots showing the scooter ID, trip history, and ride location. Photographs of the scooter and the accident scene can also help establish whether defective equipment contributed to the collision.

Bird filed for bankruptcy in late 2023 and is no longer a major scooter operator in Chicago. However, if you were injured while using a Bird scooter before service ended, you may still have a valid legal claim. If defective brakes, steering components, battery failures, or inadequate maintenance contributed to your injuries, liability waivers within the app do not automatically shield the company from responsibility.

Bolt Electric Scooter Accidents

A Bolt electric scooter accident lawyer in Chicago represents riders injured while using Bolt’s shared electric scooters or scooters associated with the company’s earlier operations. Like other rental services, Bolt relied on a smartphone app that allowed riders to locate nearby scooters, unlock them electronically, and pay only for the time they used.

If you were injured during a Bolt ride, report the incident through the company’s reporting process if available, preserve your ride history, and photograph both the scooter and the location where the crash occurred. This information may help establish whether a defective scooter, dangerous roadway, or negligent driver caused the accident.

Mechanical failures such as brake defects, unexpected acceleration, steering problems, or battery malfunctions may create liability for the rental company if poor maintenance or defective equipment contributed to the crash. Accepting the rental agreement through the app does not excuse a company from responsibility for providing unsafe equipment. Although Bolt is no longer an active participant in Chicago’s shared scooter program, riders injured during prior operations may still have legal rights depending on the facts of their case.

grüv Electric Scooter Accidents

A grüv electric scooter accident lawyer in Chicago can help investigate whether your injuries resulted from another driver’s negligence, unsafe streets, or equipment problems involving a rental scooter. grüv participated in Chicago’s shared scooter pilot programs by providing app-based rentals that riders could unlock, ride, and park using their smartphones.

Following an accident, report the incident through the company’s customer service process if available, save screenshots showing your ride information, and keep photographs of the scooter before it is removed from the scene. Medical records, witness information, and police reports are also important evidence.

If the scooter experienced brake failure, steering problems, throttle defects, or another mechanical issue that caused the crash, the rental company may be responsible under product liability or negligence laws. Riders often assume that the waiver they accepted through the app prevents any lawsuit, but that is generally not true when defective or poorly maintained equipment causes injuries. While grüv is no longer operating shared scooters in Chicago, claims involving previous rentals may still be available.

Jump Electric Scooter Accidents

A Jump electric scooter accident lawyer in Chicago helps riders injured while using scooters that were previously operated under the Jump brand. Jump offered dockless electric scooters through a mobile application before its operations were absorbed into another shared mobility platform. Many Chicago residents used Jump scooters during earlier pilot programs throughout the city.

If you were injured on a Jump scooter, preserve your trip records, report the accident through the available customer support channels, and document the scooter’s condition before it is collected. The scooter identification number, trip time, photographs, and witness statements may become valuable evidence during a legal claim.

If defective brakes, battery failures, faulty acceleration, or poor maintenance contributed to your crash, the company responsible for maintaining the scooter may be legally liable. A rental agreement or liability waiver does not eliminate claims involving defective products or negligent maintenance. Although Jump no longer operates as an independent scooter service in Chicago, people injured during its earlier operations may still be able to pursue compensation depending on the circumstances of their accident.

Illinois Law and E-Scooter Regulations

Under the Illinois Vehicle Code, as amended by Public Act 103-0899, e-scooters are considered similar to bicycles and must follow traffic laws, including obeying stop signs and signals. Riders must use designated lanes or the right side of the road when available. E-scooters cannot be operated on highways or roads with speed limits over 35 mph unless allowed by local law.

The City of Chicago rules allow electric scooters in bike lanes and streets but prohibits riding on sidewalks. Some areas, such as parks and pedestrian zones, may have restrictions. Other Illinois cities may have additional regulations, and some require permits for rental e-scooter companies.

Illinois does not have a statewide helmet law for e-scooter riders, but wearing a helmet is strongly recommended to prevent serious head injuries. Some cities require protective gear for rental scooters.

Under Amendment SB2930, most Illinois cities require riders to be at least 18 years old, or 16 with parental consent, to operate an electric scooter legally.

Determining Liability in E-Scooter Accident Cases

Liability in electric scooter accidents is determined by negligence, meaning someone acted carelessly and caused harm. To prove negligence, four key elements must be established:

• Duty – The responsible party had a legal obligation to act safely, such as following traffic laws and yielding to scooter riders.
• Breach – They failed to meet that duty, like a driver distracted by a cell phone or a scooter company failing to maintain its fleet.
• Causation – Their actions directly caused the electric scooter accident, such as a car running a red light or a pothole causing a crash.
• Damages – The victim suffered e-scooter injuries, leading to medical treatment expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses.

Determining who is responsible depends on what caused the accident, not simply the fact that you were riding a rental scooter. A Chicago electric scooter accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the crash, preserve evidence, and identify every potentially liable party.

If a driver caused the crash, your claim is usually filed against the driver’s automobile insurance policy. In these cases, the rental scooter company is generally not responsible because the accident resulted from another motorist’s negligence.

If the scooter malfunctioned, you may have a claim against the rental company or another party responsible for manufacturing or maintaining the scooter. Brake failures, stuck throttles, steering defects, battery fires, and poor maintenance can all contribute to serious accidents. Liability waivers accepted through a rental app generally do not protect companies from claims involving defective or poorly maintained equipment.

If a dangerous road condition caused the accident, responsibility may fall on the government agency responsible for maintaining the roadway. Claims involving potholes, broken pavement, missing signs, or other roadway hazards often follow different legal procedures and may have shorter notice requirements than ordinary personal injury claims.

Illinois also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Many injured riders worry they cannot recover compensation because they were partly at fault, such as riding on the sidewalk, failing to wear a helmet, or entering an intersection at the wrong time. In Illinois, you may still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Any compensation you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated altogether.

What Electric Scooter Riders Should Do After an Accident in Chicago

Taking the right steps after an electric scooter accident can protect your health and legal rights.

Call 911 and request a police officer if anyone is injured. A police report can become important evidence when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Collect the driver’s contact and insurance information, witness statements, and photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, the scooter, any vehicles involved, and nearby road hazards. If police respond, request a copy of the accident report.

Screenshot your trip data in the rental app before closing it. This information may include the scooter’s identification number, trip start time, ride history, and location. Once the ride ends, some of this information may become more difficult to retrieve.

Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. Some conditions, including concussions, internal injuries, and soft tissue damage, may not produce immediate symptoms.

Report the accident to the scooter rental company through its app or customer service platform. This creates a record of the incident and may preserve maintenance information about the scooter involved.

Avoid repairing or discarding the scooter if it belongs to you. If a defective component contributed to the crash, the scooter itself may become important evidence.

Do not apologize, speculate about what happened, or give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with a Chicago scooter accident attorney. Early statements can later be used to dispute your claim.

Investigation Process for E-Scooter Accidents

A thorough investigation is crucial to building a strong electric scooter accident case and proving liability. One of the first steps is obtaining the police report, which can provide key details about the crash, including statements from those involved and any citations issued.

Examining the e-scooter and accident scene is another important part of the investigation. Photos of the scooter, road conditions, vehicle damage, and injuries can help establish the cause of the crash. If the accident involved a rental e-scooter, checking for malfunctions or defective components may reveal whether the scooter company shares responsibility.

In complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be needed to analyze the evidence and determine whether road hazards, a defective scooter, or another party’s negligence contributed to the crash.

Compensation Recovered in Electric Scooter Accident Cases

E-scooter accident victims may be entitled to compensation for various damages, including:

• Past and future medical expenses;
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity;
• Property damage;
• Emotional distress;
• Pain and suffering;
• Reduced quality of life.

Why You Need a Chicago Scooter Accident Lawyer

Hiring an experienced Chicago electric scooter accident lawyer increases your chances of securing the maximum recovery through a settlement or personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney will investigate the accident, gather evidence, identify negligent parties, and determine whether another driver, a rental scooter company, a manufacturer, or a government entity may be legally responsible.

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but an attorney can handle negotiations to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Legal representation can strengthen a case and improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Scooter Accidents in Chicago

Can I sue the rental company if their scooter malfunctioned?

Yes. If defective equipment caused your crash, you may have a claim against the rental company or another responsible party. Brake failures, stuck throttles, steering defects, battery fires, or poor maintenance can all lead to serious injuries. While rental companies often include liability waivers in their app’s terms of service, those waivers generally do not protect them from claims involving defective or improperly maintained scooters. A Chicago electric scooter accident lawyer can investigate the cause of the malfunction and determine who may be liable.

What if the other driver caused the crash, not the scooter?

If a driver caused the accident, your claim is generally filed against that driver’s automobile insurance, just as it would be in any other traffic collision. The rental scooter company is usually not responsible when its equipment did not contribute to the crash. A Chicago scooter accident attorney will investigate the accident, review available evidence, and identify which party is legally responsible before pursuing compensation on your behalf.

I was partly at fault. Can I still make a claim?

Possibly. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you may still recover compensation if you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident. For example, if you were riding on the sidewalk when a driver failed to yield, both parties may share fault. Any compensation you receive is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but your claim is not automatically barred.

What should I do immediately after an electric scooter accident in Chicago?

Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. Take photographs of the scooter, the accident scene, your injuries, any involved vehicles, and road conditions. Before closing the rental app, screenshot your trip information, including the scooter ID and ride details. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor, and avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with a scooter injury lawyer in Chicago.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In most cases, Illinois law allows two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, different deadlines and notice requirements may apply if your accident involved a government entity or a dangerous road condition. Waiting too long can make it more difficult to preserve evidence and locate witnesses, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

Does the firm handle claims against all scooter brands?

Yes. Our firm represents clients injured while riding rental scooters from Wheels, Bird, Bolt, grüv, Jump, and other electric scooter brands, as well as privately owned scooters. Although some companies no longer operate in Chicago, claims involving past incidents may still be pursued. The legal principles are similar regardless of the brand, but each company’s insurance coverage, maintenance records, and liability policies require careful review.

Speak With a Chicago Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Today!

If you were injured while riding an electric scooter because of another person’s negligence, you do not have to navigate the legal process alone. Whether your accident involved a negligent driver, defective rental scooter, dangerous roadway, or another hazard, our attorneys are ready to investigate your case and explain your legal options.

Our Chicago electric scooter accident lawyers represent clients injured on rental scooters from Wheels, Bird, Bolt, grüv, Jump, and other brands, as well as privately owned electric scooters. We gather evidence, work with experts when necessary, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare every case as though it may go to trial.

Our firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Schedule your free consultation today to discuss your case with an experienced Chicago scooter accident attorney.

Legally Reviewed By
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld

Reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld The material on this page has been legally reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC. Mr. Rosenfeld and his team have experience representing injured cyclists in bicycle accident cases in Chicago. With a focus on personal injury law, they help bicycle accident victims understand their legal options and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from their injuries.

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