There are many advantages to riding e-scooters in congested cities like Chicago, Illinois. Electronic scooters reduce traffic and have emerged as a transportation option that reduces air and noise pollution.

However, e-scooters have become a source of concern in many cities that have yet to enforce safety regulations for these vehicles, much to the danger to pedestrians, e-scooter riders, and other motorists. In the 12-month ended June 2021, about 880 incidents involving e-scooters occurred in the US.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in a Chicago scooter accident. If you suffered injuries in an e-scooter accident, you may be able to file a compensation claim for your damages through an insurance or personal injury claim.

Complete the contact form or call our Chicago electric scooter accident lawyer at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation with a Chicago scooter accident lawyer.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay us anything until we recover compensation on your behalf.

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Things to Know About e-Scooters and Traffic Laws

As more people use e-scooters, accident injuries have risen. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) [1], there has been a 70% increase in incidents involving e-scooter accident victims over the past four years.

These electric scooter accident victims account for about 200,000 emergency room visits. Pedestrians and people that drive cars have complained about the scattered e-scooters in parking areas, sidewalks, and other public areas.

Recently, Chicago joined other large cities and initiated a pilot electric scooter program. This pilot program thrilled e-scooter enthusiasts, while some pedestrians and motorists fretted over the widespread use of shared e-scooters.

Approved e-Scooter Program in Chicago

The city of Chicago approved issuing a scooter-sharing business license to a scooter business company that meets the requirements. In May 2022, three companies, namely Lime [2], Spin, and Superpedestrian [3], were awarded two-year permits to run a Chicago scooter-sharing service.

The pilot is isolated to a 50-square-mile zone on the city’s West Side. Halsted Street borders the area of effect to the east and Harlem Avenue to the west. Irving Park Road and the Chicago River are the north and south borders, respectively.

The License Application Process to Operate Electric Scooters in Chicago

The Chicago Department of Transportation and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (CDOT) [4] in Chicago developed licensing rules for electric scooter-sharing companies.

The goal is to determine the companies that can help the city of Chicago meet its goals of maintaining public safety and following traffic laws while allowing the use of scooters in the streets.

Evaluation Criteria for the Issuance License for e-Scooter Companies

In contrast to a manually-operated traditional scooter, an electric scooter is powered by an electric motor. The motorized scooters operate with a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour on a level surface.

Under the Scooter License Sharing Ordinance [5], e-Scooter companies are evaluated based on technology, past performance, and operational capacities.

Types of Scooter Accidents Handled by Our Chicago Scooter Accident Lawyers

Electric scooters are convenient rides but offer very little protection. Below are the five categories of Chicago scooter accident cases handled by our Chicago scooter accident lawyers:

Mechanical Failure

Mechanical failure is one of the most common causes of an electric scooter accident. An e-scooter shutting off in the middle of a ride can happen when the device runs out of battery power.

In some instances, the brakes cannot bring the vehicle to a safe stop, leading to an e-scooter crash, especially when going downhill.

In addition, most scooter companies require riders not to go over geo-fences. The geo-fences are electrical boundaries, and entering or leaving a particular area enables software to trigger a response.

Improperly Parked Scooters

Pedestrian trips on an improperly parked scooter is a common cause of electric scooter incident [6] in most cities. It is vital for companies operating a shared e-scooter business to educate riders to leave these vehicles in specified docking zones to avoid blocking public pathways.

Improper Use of Scooters

Currently, no specialized training is required to ride an e-scooter. The lack of training may result in an electric scooter accident, especially among people who may not be aware of traffic laws regulating the use of these vehicles.

Another electric scooter accident due to improper use occurs when a rider injures a pedestrian. While most e-scooter-related injuries result from riding scooters, an individual may also crash into a pedestrian or even cars on the other lanes resulting in a serious injury.

Road Hazards

The number of e-scooter crashes increased in cities that legally allowed this new form of transportation. According to Bird e-scooter company, the following infrastructure improvements can improve road safety:

Protected bike lanes
Smoother pavements
Wider bike lanes
Designated parking

Incidents Involving Other Scooters, Pedestrians, or Motor Vehicles

Electric scooter accidents may also occur due to riders hitting pedestrians. In other instances, a rider gets involved in a car accident, such as:

Being hit by an opening vehicle door
Hit by a swerving car
A motor vehicle backing up and striking a scooter

A Chicago scooter accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC offers free consultation and diligently handles personal injury cases. We will ensure you get the maximum compensation for your medical treatment and emotional distress.

Crashes Involving Electric Scooters in Other Cities

Riding electric scooters is a new trend on Chicago roadways, raising concern over the possibilities of catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death.

The electric-powered scooters have caused at least 1,500 injuries in cities in the United States, and many of these accidents caused lifelong consequences.

Prevention of E-Scooter Injuries

Below are some of the reasons why people get injured and what riders can do to keep themselves safe on the streets:

Injuries to the Head

Separate studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) [7] and Prevention and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) showed that injuries to the head, such as brain bleeds and concussions, comprise almost half of all reported related injuries.

The best way to prevent head injuries is always to use helmets regardless of whether this gear is required in a particular state.

Reckless Driving

Scooter riders must make it a habit to plan. Riders must make it their responsibility to know the rules since they can and will be held liable for distracted driving and other similar issues.

Remember to use hand signals when riding alongside traffic. It is also important to wear reflective clothing [8] to be visible to other motorists.

Legal Options for People Seriously Injured in Electric Scooter Accidents in Chicago

Injuries can be severe and may lead to permanent disability or wrongful death. If you were not at fault for the accident, you could claim compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other losses.

Law firms with an experienced Chicago scooter accident attorney will collect evidence, the police report on the incident, insurance information, and witnesses.

For a free case evaluation and immediate legal representation, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC to file a claim against the company. A Chicago scooter accident attorney from our law offices will offer a free consultation and answer insurance questions and other personal injury matters.

Rental Scooter Accident FAQs

The e-scooter-sharing business has raised controversies since deploying for the public. Below are some frequently asked questions:

What Is the Financial Compensation for a Scooter Accident?

Like car accident victims, e-scooter-injured victims may seek compensation if another party is responsible for the accident. The victim may get full compensation for medical bills incurred due to the e-scooter riding accident.

You can claim the maximum amount of compensation through an insurance company claim, a product liability lawsuit, or a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the cause of the accident, the victim could claim various forms of compensation, such as:

Past and future medical expenses related to the injury
Property damage and replacement
Lost wages and loss of future earnings
Loss of earning capacity
Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life

What Are the Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents?

Based on recent studies, the common causes of e-scooter accidents include falls, scooter crashes with other motor vehicles or objects, and being hit by another car. Although some victims also suffered from head injuries and broken bones, these road-related accidents resulted in mild injuries.

Are Scooter Riders in Chicago Required to Wear Helmets?

People who ride a scooter in Chicago are not required to use helmets. While safety advocates encourage motorcycle riders to wear helmets, Chicago does not impose any helmet law within its jurisdiction.

Who Is at Fault in an E-Scooter Accident?

The victim may need to prove negligence, and this includes establishing the following:

The other party or defendant owed the victim a duty of care
The other party breached this duty of care
The breach of duty resulted in an accident that caused the victim to suffer injuries

The e-scooter rider must operate the vehicle safely. Failure to do so may make them liable if their negligence injured other parties.

Do I Need a License to Operate an E-Scooter?

Riding a scooter requires a special license, though a holder of any class of driver’s license can legally use mopeds. Scooters are considered motor-driven cycles. The rider must be 16 years old and have completed a driver’s education program to qualify for a Class L or M license.

Enrollment in a motorcycle rider training program is another requirement for license applicants.

The electric scooter rider must:

Get the vehicle registered
Secure a Class M or L license
Maintain liability insurance
Wear a transparent windshield to protect the eyes
Attach a headlight and ensure it is visible from 500 feet away
Attach a taillight and ensure that the light is visible from 100 to 300 feet away

A Chicago Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Can Help

Were you injured in an accident involving an e-scooter collision? If so, consult a scooter accident lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, for a free consultation for your personal injury case.

Our personal injury lawyers handle cases of car accidents, including electric scooter accidents. Our law firm offers a free case evaluation and helps you to demand fair compensation for your personal injury matter from the negligent party who caused your e-scooter injuries.

You can reach a Chicago scooter accident lawyer from our law firm through the contact form or call our law office at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call). All confidential or sensitive information you share with your personal injury lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Resources: [1] CPSC, [2] Lime, [3] Superpedestrian, [4] CDOT, [5] Chicago.gov, [6] JAMA Network, [7] CDC, [8] Web Bike World