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Table Of Contents
- Scooter Injury Lawsuit Overview
- Latest Scooter Injury Lawsuit Updates
- FDA Reports and Statistics 2025 Latest Updates
- Bird Scooter Injuries & Side Effects
- Do You Qualify for a Scooter Injury Lawsuit?
- Schwinn E-Scooter Recall Information
- Calls for E-Scooter Ban Amid Growing Concerns Over Accidents
- Statute of Limitations for Scooter Injury Lawsuits
- FAQs
- 1. How long do Bird scooter lawsuits typically take to resolve?
- 2. Can I sue if the scooter accident was partially my fault?
- 3. What if I was injured by another rider, not the scooter itself?
- 4. Can I seek compensation for psychological trauma resulting from a scooter accident?
- 5. How do I prove that a scooter was defective?
- 6. Can I sue the rental company if their scooter was improperly maintained?
- 7. Does signing the user agreement prevent me from suing?
- Get Your Free Scooter Injury Lawsuit Evaluation From Our Lawyers
Scooter Injury Lawsuit Overview
The class action was filed against Lime scooter manufacturer in Los Angeles County Superior Court accuses major electric scooter companies like Bird and Lime of “gross negligence” and “aiding and abetting assault.”
The lawsuit alleges these companies are “dumping” e-scooters on public streets without proper warning, creating a dangerous “public nuisance.”
Numerous victims have reported serious injuries including broken bones, torn ligaments, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents.
The litigation represents both scooter riders who experienced equipment malfunctions and pedestrians injured by reckless riders or improperly parked scooters.
Related Article: Renthal Motorcycle Clip-on Handlebars Recall Lawsuit
Latest Scooter Injury Lawsuit Updates
- 2024 – A 2024 UCSF study reports e-scooter injuries rose by 45% annually from 2017 to 2022, with over 56,000 injuries in 2022 alone. Head and extremity injuries are most common, and hospitalizations are increasing, highlighting ongoing safety and litigation concerns for manufacturers and operators [1].
- December 2021 – Pacific Cycle recalled 11,340 Schwinn Tone Electric Scooters after nine reports of handlebars loosening or cracking, including one injury. The recall affected all Tone models sold in the U.S. from May 2020 to February 2021, and users were urged to stop riding and seek repairs [2].
- October 2018 – Lime recalled about 2,000 electric scooters in several U.S. cities due to a manufacturing defect that could cause batteries to smolder or catch fire. The recall followed reports of fire risks, prompting Lime to remove affected scooters from service [3].
Pacific Cycle has received nine reports of loosened or cracked handlebars which include one report of an injury where bruising and abrasions occurred, when a consumer fell from the e-scooter while riding after the handlebar broke.” – CPSC.
FDA Reports and Statistics 2025 Latest Updates
According to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data, e-scooter related injuries have increased by 222% from 2014 to 2021, with nearly 40,000 reported emergency room visits [4].
The CDC study conducted in Austin, Texas found approximately 20 individuals are injured per 100,000 scooter trips.
Of those injured, 48% suffered head injuries with 15% diagnosed as traumatic brain injuries. Only 1 in 190 injured riders reported wearing a helmet at the time of accident.
Chicago hospitals reported 34 e-scooter related emergency room visits in just the first month of the city’s pilot program, with several cases requiring surgery.
The CPSC estimates that e-scooter accidents contribute to over $9 million in direct medical costs annually nationwide.
CDC Study Identifies Crash Risk with E-Scooters
A recent study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Transportation in Austin, Texas, found the crash risk associated with the trendy electric scooters found in many large U.S. cities to be approximately 20-in-100,000.
The study found at least 271 people who reported suffering scooter-related injuries between Sept. 5, 2018, and Nov. 30, 2018. CDC Researchers presented the data at the agency’s Epidemic Intelligence Service conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
During the study period noted above, there were a total of 182,333 hours of e-scooter use, 891,121 miles ridden on Lime scooters, and 936,110 e-scooter trips.
The researchers found that there were approximately 20 individuals hurt per 100,000 scooter trips taken during the 3-month period.
Of the injured, nearly half suffered head injuries. At least 15% of these were subsequently diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), the study found.
The authors said many of these injuries could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, but only one of 190 injured scooter riders was wearing one.
“These injuries may have been preventable,” the researchers concluded. “Studies have shown that bicycle riders reduce the risk of head and brain injuries by wearing a helmet. Helmet use might also reduce the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of an e-scooter crash.”- Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness Division Austin Public Health.
Bird Scooter Injuries & Side Effects
E-scooter accidents have resulted in a wide range of injuries from minor scrapes to life-threatening trauma and even death.
- Head Trauma: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, facial lacerations, and damaged teeth
- Bone Fractures: Broken wrists, ankles, collarbones, and fingers
- Soft Tissue Damage: Torn ligaments, sprains, and severe skin abrasions (“road rash”)
- Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage from falls at high speeds
- Psychological Trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues following accidents
Do You Qualify for a Scooter Injury Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a Bird scooter lawsuit if:
- You were injured while using a rental e-scooter from Bird, Lime, or other companies between 2017 and present.
- You were injured as a pedestrian by an e-scooter rider or by tripping over an improperly parked scooter.
- You experienced a malfunction or defect with the scooter that caused your accident.
- The injuries required medical treatment or hospitalization.
- You can document that your injuries resulted from the e-scooter accident.
Evidence Required for a Bird Scooter Lawsuit
To build a strong e-scooter injury case, you should gather:
- Photos of the accident scene, the scooter involved, and your injuries.
- A copy of the police report if law enforcement responded.
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment.
- Screenshots of your rental agreement and trip details from the app.
- Witness statements from anyone who saw the accident occur.
- Proof of any scooter malfunction or defect (if applicable).
Damages You Can Recover
Victims of e-scooter accidents may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional.
- Property damage to personal items damaged in the accident.
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence.
Schwinn E-Scooter Recall Information
Pacific Cycle Inc. recalled 11,340 Schwinn Tone Electric Scooters due to handlebars that can loosen or crack, creating fall and injury hazards.
The recall affects units sold between May 2020 and February 2021 for $350-$550 at bicycle shops nationwide.
Consumers should stop using affected scooters immediately and contact Pacific Cycle for a free repair kit. The company has received nine reports of handlebar failures, including one injury incident.
Lime Scooter Recall
Lime has issued multiple recalls for safety concerns:
In October 2018, Lime recalled thousands of e-scooters after discovering a “manufacturing defect” that could cause batteries to smolder or catch fire.
Approximately 2,000 scooters were removed from circulation in Los Angeles and Lake Tahoe markets.
In November 2018, Lime recalled all Okai-manufactured scooters following reports of devices breaking in half under normal riding conditions [5].
While the company declined to specify the number of affected units, they stated that the “vast majority” of their fleet was manufactured by other companies.
“Safety is Lime’s highest priority. The vast majority of Lime’s fleet is manufactured by other scooter companies and decommissioned Okai scooters are being replaced with newer, more advanced e-scooters considered best in class for safety. We don’t anticipate any real service disruptions.”- Lime Statement
Calls for E-Scooter Ban Amid Growing Concerns Over Accidents
Recent incidents have sparked concerns among local officials and residents, leading to calls for stronger regulations or even a city-wide ban on e-scooters.
The following are some of the notable accidents that have fueled these concerns:
Serious Accidents Lead to Call for City-Wide Ban on E-Scooters
A member of the San Diego City Council is calling for a temporary ban on shared electric scooters after reports surfaced of at least 3 major car accidents involving Lime e scooters [6].
50-Year-old Karen Riggott suffered catastrophic head injuries and a fractured skull on Saturday when she lost control of her e-scooter and hit her head at Liberty Station.
“My wife took one hand off the Bird Scooter came to a screeching halt – the handlebars moved to the left she fell and smashed her skull. She remains under heavy sedation at UCSD Medical Center with 8 skull fractures, a brain bleed and swelling.- Dean, Karen Riggott’s Husband.
Razor Scooter Accident in San Diego, SDPD Says
A 17-year-old boy was riding a Razor Scooter northbound across 2600 Genesee Ave when he jumped over the raised center wall and struck a 2007 Ford Focus that was traveling westbound, according to the Clairemont Times [7].
The boy was rushed to the hospital with facial lacerations and a brain bleed. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police said.
Norfolk and Virginia Beach Report Increase in E-Scooter Accidents, But No Data is Being Tracked
Like many trendy cities across the U.S., Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia, are currently in the midst of an e-scooter craze, and local officials have lamented seeing them laying on sidewalks everywhere.
Police have noticed an increase in the number of injuries and accidents linked to Lime E Scooters, but there’s no way to tell how great an increase it is because nobody is keeping statistics, according to the South Side Daily.
Unfortunately, our data system does not record the cause of all injury types, and ‘electric scooter’ is not a category in our hospital’s data system, so we cannot give you hard data on how many of these injuries we have seen. – Kelly McCarthy, spokeswoman for Sentara Healthcare.
Both Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital’s trauma departments are in the process of looking into ways to accurately track injuries, she said.
Dr. Richard Myers, Sentara Orthopedic Trauma surgeon, said he’s recently been treating more patients with injuries, but no hard data is available.
The majority of injuries Dr. Myers has been treating in the orthopedic trauma department has been fractures to the wrist, ankle, and knee injuries. Many of these injuries have also been neurological, meaning brain-related injuries due to not wearing a helmet. ” – Kelly McCarthy, spokeswoman for Sentara Healthcare.
Statute of Limitations for Scooter Injury Lawsuits
The time limits for filing an e-scooter injury lawsuit vary by state:
- California: 2 years from the date of injury
- Texas: 2 years from the date of injury
- Florida: 4 years from the date of injury
- Illinois: 2 years from the date of injury
- New York: 3 years from the date of injury
Special considerations may apply if the victim is a minor or if injuries were not immediately apparent. It’s critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to ensure you don’t forfeit your right to compensation.
Also read:
FAQs
1. How long do Bird scooter lawsuits typically take to resolve?
Most e-scooter injury cases take between 6-18 months to resolve, though complex cases involving multiple parties or severe injuries may take longer. Cases that settle out of court typically resolve faster than those that go to trial.
2. Can I sue if the scooter accident was partially my fault?
Yes, you may still be able to recover damages even if you were partially at fault, depending on your state’s comparative negligence laws. Many states allow recovery with reduced compensation based on your percentage of fault.
3. What if I was injured by another rider, not the scooter itself?
If another rider caused your injuries, you can pursue a claim against that individual. In some cases, the rental company may also share liability if they failed to enforce proper safety protocols or rider verification.
4. Can I seek compensation for psychological trauma resulting from a scooter accident?
Yes, you can seek compensation for psychological trauma, including anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues resulting from the accident. Documentation from mental health professionals will support your claim.
5. How do I prove that a scooter was defective?
To prove a scooter was defective, you may need to provide evidence such as maintenance records, expert testimony, incident reports, and documentation of similar accidents involving the same model.
6. Can I sue the rental company if their scooter was improperly maintained?
Yes, you can sue the rental company if their scooter was improperly maintained and this contributed to your injury. Rental companies have a duty to ensure their equipment is safe for use.
7. Does signing the user agreement prevent me from suing?
Not necessarily. While e-scooter companies include liability waivers in their user agreements, these may not be enforceable in cases of gross negligence, product defects, or intentional misconduct. An experienced attorney can help determine if your case overrides the waiver.
See all product liability and injury accident lawsuits we’re taking on.
Get Your Free Scooter Injury Lawsuit Evaluation From Our Lawyers
Time is limited to pursue legal action for Bird scooter injuries. Most states only allow 2-3 years from the date of injury to file a claim, and evidence becomes more difficult to gather as time passes.
Delaying action could permanently forfeit your right to compensation.
At Schmidt & Clark, LLP, we offer:
- Free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case
- No upfront costs or attorney fees – we only get paid if you win
- Experienced legal representation from attorneys specializing in e-scooter accidents
- Personalized attention to your case and needs throughout the legal process
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were harmed in a scooter accident, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and our law firm can help.
References
1.https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/07/428096/electric-scooter-and-bike-accidents-are-soaring-across-us
2. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Pacific-Cycle-Recalls-Schwinn-Electric-Scooters-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards
3. https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/31/lime-recalls-some-scooters-due-to-fire-concerns/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8517197/
5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/10/30/electric-scooter-giant-lime-recalled-scooters-amid-fears-that-some-could-catch-fire/?utm_term=.cec6ab50918d
6. https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/08/06/rash-of-serious-scooter-accidents-sparks-call-for-temporary-ban/
7. https://clairemonttimes.com/razor-scooter-accident-in-linda-vista-via-sdpd/