In 2020, the New York City Council enacted Local Law 74, which called for the NYC Department of Transportation to determine whether a shared e-scooter system would work in the Big Apple. From August 2021 to August 2023, the NYC DOT ran its shared e-scooter pilot program in the East Bronx with e-scooters from Bird, Lime, and Veo.
According to the NYC DOT, over 150,000 people used an electric scooter in NYC to take almost four million trips — and few had to hire electric scooter accident lawyers after sustaining injuries. The agency announced plans to expand its program over the next five years.
As NYC’s shared electric scooter system grows, the hope is that e-scooters will continue to serve as safe transportation options. However, more people riding e-scooters could lead to more accidents without the proper safety measures.
Learn who is liable in these types of accidents below.
Understanding the Common Causes of Shared Electric Scooter Accidents in New York
Thankfully, shared electric scooter accidents in New York City are rare. Even so, about 700 e-scooter crashes occur annually.
Although many shared electric scooters top out at 15 miles per hour, the Big Apple’s congested streets — not to mention the many hazards that fill them — have started to lead to a steady rise in e-scooter accidents.
These crashes are caused by a variety of factors. Examples include:
- Speeding
- Driver error
- Potholes
- Visibility issues
- Impaired driving
The cause of a shared e-scooter crash often determines who exhibited negligence during it. An experienced electric scooter accident lawyer can assist you by analyzing the cause of a crash and pinpointing the negligent party based on the circumstances surrounding it.
Looking At Who Is Liable for Shared Electric Scooter Accidents in New York
Since New York City’s shared electric scooter system is so new, establishing liability in e-scooter accidents remains a work in progress. Personal injury lawyers, law enforcement professionals, and even lawmakers are still playing catch-up when it comes to assigning blame in e-scooter accident cases.
Several parties may be liable. A shared electric scooter accident lawyer will work to identify the party or parties responsible for a crash you were involved in.
Check out who could be liable for a shared e-scooter accident below.
Another Shared Electric Scooter User
Shared electric shooters aren’t used on a large-scale level in New York City yet, so accidents involving two or more e-scooters are virtually non-existent.
However, this may change as more New Yorkers embrace e-scooters. You might be involved in an accident involving another e-scooter user, and this user could receive some, if not all, of the blame for a crash.
In this case, you will each have the opportunity to share your side of the story with NYPD officers investigating a crash. A police report will help decide which of you caused an accident.
A Vehicle Driver
Those driving cars, trucks, and SUVs in New York City already have to look out for other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Now, they have to watch out for shared electric scooters, too, since they could be liable if they hit those riding them.
When you’re on an e-scooter, you can do your part to avoid accidents with vehicles. For example, keep your distance from other vehicles. Stay out of drivers’ blind spots as well to reduce the chances of being involved in a crash and having to hire an electric scooter accident lawyer.
However, it’s ultimately up to drivers to ensure they don’t accidentally hit you on a shared electric scooter. They might be liable if they change lanes without looking first or make turns when you have the right of way and hit you. They may need to provide compensation to cover your medical costs and other expenses.
A Bicyclist
In New York City, bicyclists are treated like e-scooter users. To prevent crashes, they must avoid riding too close to vehicles and ensure drivers see them.
Additionally, they need to look out for you and other shared electric scooter users. They could be liable for a shared electric scooter accident if they try to pass you recklessly or make other dangerous maneuvers while riding near you and cause a crash.
A Pedestrian
Many shared electric scooter accidents that have taken place thus far have involved pedestrians. In some cases, e-scooter riders have gone up onto sidewalks and crashed into pedestrians. If you do this, you’ll likely be liable for an accident.
There have also been shared electric scooter accidents involving pedestrians who have stepped out into bike lanes and gotten hit by e-scooters. In these cases, pedestrians are usually liable for crashes.
New York City
New York City patched well over 10,000 potholes in 2023. However, reports have revealed this represents just a small percentage of the potholes reported every year.
If you hit a pothole while riding on a shared electric scooter and sustain severe injuries, NYC might be liable for your crash. If a shared electric scooter lawyer proves the city knew about a pothole and didn’t act quickly enough to fix it, you might be entitled to compensation.
An E-Bike Manufacturer
Companies like Bird, Lime, and Veo supply New Yorkers with the e-scooters used for the Big Apple’s flourishing shared e-scooter system. If one of these e-scooters malfunctions and causes you to be involved in a wreck and sustain injuries, you may sue them through a shared electric scooter accident lawyer.
You might also maintain the right to sue any third-party companies that supply Bird, Lime, and Veo with e-scooter parts if they were to blame for your crash.
Don’t Forget About Yourself
You could be liable for a shared electric scooter accident in New York if you were:
- Speeding
- Operating an e-scooter on a sidewalk
- Disobeying NYC electric scooter laws
Reach Out to Us To Schedule a Consultation With an Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer in NYC
Were you involved in a shared electric scooter accident in New York City? If you suspect another party didn’t take rider safety seriously enough and caused your crash, give Ross & Hill a call. We can handle accident claims related to e-scooter accidents.
Contact us at 646-351-6222 to talk to an electric scooter accident lawyer. We can also help you with documenting premises liability evidence and lend a hand with other legal matters.
FAQs
Look for the answers to commonly asked questions about shared electric scooter accidents below.
What Are the NYC Electric Scooter Laws?
The NYC electric scooter laws are still under development, but there are a few you should keep in mind if you plan to ride an e-scooter in New York City. You must be at least 16 to use one. You also must drive an e-scooter no faster than 15 miles per hour while staying in bike lanes and on streets rather than riding on sidewalks.
Is It Safe To Ride a Shared Electric Scooter in NYC?
Generally speaking, riding a shared electric scooter in NYC is safe. However, you must follow the NYC electric scooter laws to stay safe and exercise the same level of caution you would when operating any vehicle. You should also strongly consider wearing a helmet to minimize the risk of sustaining a head injury during an accident.
When Should You Call an NYC Electric Scooter Accident Attorney for Help?
You should call an NYC electric scooter accident attorney for help right after being involved in an accident. An electric scooter accident lawyer from Ross & Hill can help explore your legal options.
