Electric scooters are a familiar sight on Chicago streets. Rental scooters from companies operating in the city recorded millions of trips in recent years, and many residents own personal e-scooters for commuting and recreation. However, this growth in ridership has led to an increase in accidents and injuries.
Understanding what causes e-scooter accidents may help injured riders recognize whether they have a potential claim. The cause of an accident often determines who may be held responsible and what compensation may be available.
Collisions With Motor Vehicles
The most serious e-scooter accidents typically involve collisions with cars, trucks, or buses. These crashes may result in catastrophic injuries because scooter riders have no protective barrier between themselves and a multi-ton vehicle.
Common scenarios involving motor vehicles include:
- A driver making a left turn fails to see an oncoming scooter rider
- A driver pulling out of a parking space or alley strikes a rider in the bike lane
- A distracted driver drifts into a bike lane or designated scooter path
- A driver opens a car door into the path of an approaching rider, known as “dooring”
- A driver making a right turn cuts off a scooter traveling alongside
When a motor vehicle driver’s negligence causes an accident, the injured rider may have a claim against that driver. A scooter injury lawyer can help investigate the circumstances and gather evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports.
Road Hazards and Infrastructure Problems
Chicago’s roads and bike lanes are not always in ideal condition. Potholes, cracked pavement, uneven surfaces, debris, and poorly maintained infrastructure contribute to many e-scooter accidents.
Road hazards that commonly cause scooter crashes include:
- Potholes that catch a scooter’s small wheels and throw riders forward
- Cracks and uneven pavement at intersections and crosswalks
- Debris such as gravel, broken glass, or fallen branches in bike lanes
- Construction plates or temporary road surfaces that become slippery when wet
- Poorly marked or sudden transitions between bike lanes and roadways
Claims involving road hazards may be more complex than those involving negligent drivers. Depending on where the hazard was located and whether the road was designated for bicycle or scooter use, the City of Chicago or another government entity may or may not bear responsibility. A scooter accident attorney familiar with municipal liability issues can evaluate whether a viable claim exists.
Defective Scooters and Equipment Failures
Sometimes accidents occur not because of road conditions or other drivers, but because the scooter itself malfunctions. Brake failures, throttle malfunctions, wheel defects, and battery problems may all cause a rider to lose control.
For rental scooters, the company operating the fleet has a duty to maintain its vehicles in safe working condition. For privately owned scooters, the manufacturer may bear responsibility if a design or manufacturing defect caused the accident.
Product liability claims involving defective scooters may allow injured riders to seek compensation from the manufacturer, distributor, or rental company. These cases often require expert analysis to determine what failed and why.
Pedestrian Interactions
Accidents between e-scooters and pedestrians may result in injuries to both parties. In Chicago, e-scooters are generally prohibited from sidewalks in certain areas, and riders must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. When a scooter rider strikes a pedestrian, the rider may be held liable for the pedestrian’s injuries.
Conversely, a pedestrian who steps suddenly into a bike lane or designated scooter path may bear some responsibility if a collision occurs. Illinois follows a comparative negligence system, meaning fault may be divided between parties based on their respective actions.
How Cause of Accident Affects Your Claim
The cause of an e-scooter accident directly influences what legal options may be available. Different causes point to different potentially responsible parties, and each type of claim involves different legal standards and evidence requirements.
A claim against a negligent driver typically requires proving that the driver violated traffic laws or failed to exercise reasonable care. A claim against the city may require showing that officials knew about a hazard and failed to address it. A product liability claim may require expert testimony about defects in the scooter’s design or manufacture.
Consulting with a scooter injury lawyer after an accident may help you understand which type of claim applies to your situation. A scooter accident attorney can investigate the cause of your accident, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain what evidence may be needed to support your claim.
