E-Scooter Accident Lawyers

The Rise of E-Scooters in Colorado

Since shared electric scooters first appeared on Denver streets in 2018, they have become a common sight across Colorado. Companies like Lime and Bird initially deployed scooter fleets without authorization, prompting the city to confiscate hundreds of devices before establishing a formal regulatory framework. Denver launched its Dockless Mobility Pilot Permit Program and later granted operating licenses, allowing shared scooters to operate on city streets indefinitely.

While e-scooters provide a convenient transportation option, they have also brought a significant increase in serious injuries. A study by the University of Colorado School of Medicine identified 2,424 patients with e-scooter injuries at Denver Health between January 2020 and November 2023. In 2023 alone, Denver Health recorded 1,449 patient encounters related to scooter injuries, averaging nearly four per day. The Denver Police Department reported that electric scooters were involved in 64 reported collisions on city streets in 2023, resulting in eleven serious bodily injuries and one death.

Nationally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has documented a sharp upward trend in e-scooter injuries, with an estimated 40,400 e-scooter-related emergency department visits in 2023. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident in Colorado, understanding your legal rights is an important first step.

Colorado E-Scooter Laws and Regulations

In 2019, Colorado passed House Bill 19-1221, which established a formal legal framework for electric scooters. Before this law, e-scooters were classified as "toy vehicles" and were only authorized for use on sidewalks. HB19-1221 reclassified electric scooters as "vehicles," granting riders the same rights and duties as riders of electrically assisted bicycles. Understanding these regulations is critical to any e-scooter accident claim.

Speed Limits

Under Colorado law, an electric scooter is defined as a device with handlebars that achieves a maximum speed of 20 mph when powered solely by its electric motor. Riders may use roadways where the posted speed limit is 30 mph or less. Local jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions. In Denver and Boulder, shared scooter operators use geofencing technology to cap speeds at 15 mph in downtown areas and as low as 10 mph in high-pedestrian zones.

Where E-Scooters Can Ride

E-scooters are permitted on streets and in bike lanes statewide. Under state law, riders may use sidewalks only if the adjacent road has a speed limit over 30 mph, and only at speeds of 6 mph or less. Denver has imposed stricter rules, banning sidewalk riding entirely. In May 2025, Denver City Council unanimously approved new regulations requiring scooter companies to install sidewalk detection technology and mandating designated parking zones in high-use neighborhoods, with enforcement beginning in mid-2026.

In Boulder, e-scooters are permitted on streets and bike lanes but are generally prohibited on sidewalks. E-scooters are not allowed on Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) trails.

Helmet Requirements

Colorado does not require riders 18 and older to wear a helmet on an e-scooter. However, riders under 18 must wear a certified helmet. Research consistently shows that most injured e-scooter riders were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident. While not legally required for adults, the absence of a helmet can become a factor in comparative negligence arguments raised by insurance companies.

Age Requirements and Registration

Shared scooter programs in Denver and Boulder require riders to be at least 18 years old. If you own a personal low-power electric scooter that you ride on public roadways, Colorado law requires registration at a cost of $5.85 for a three-year period. Owners of registered low-power scooters must also obtain liability insurance with the same minimum coverage amounts as motor vehicles.

Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents

E-scooter accidents can result from a variety of factors. Understanding the cause of your accident is critical to determining liability and building a strong personal injury claim:

• Motor vehicle collisions: Drivers who fail to yield, turn into the path of a scooter rider, or strike a rider from behind are a leading cause of serious e-scooter injuries. Like bicycle accidents, e-scooter riders are extremely vulnerable in collisions with cars and trucks.

• Hazardous road conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, debris, railroad tracks, and poorly maintained roads pose a serious threat to e-scooter riders. Small wheels and a narrow wheelbase make scooters particularly susceptible to road surface hazards that a car would easily pass over.

• Defective or poorly maintained scooters: Brake failures, throttle malfunctions, handlebar defects, and tire blowouts can cause riders to lose control. Lime has issued multiple recalls, including a 2018 recall of thousands of e-scooters after a manufacturing defect that could cause batteries to catch fire, and a separate recall of scooters that were reported to break in half during normal riding.

• Pedestrian collisions: E-scooter riders traveling on sidewalks or in crowded areas can collide with pedestrians, injuring both the rider and the person struck. Denver saw e-scooter hit-and-run incidents double in 2024, with at least 66 reported incidents.

• Improperly parked scooters: Scooters left blocking sidewalks, ramps, and pathways create tripping hazards, particularly for elderly individuals and people with disabilities. These incidents may give rise to premises liability claims.

• Inexperienced riders: Many shared scooter users are first-time riders with no training. The combination of unfamiliar controls, small wheels, and a high center of gravity makes scooters difficult to operate safely without experience.

• Alcohol impairment: Research from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that 45% of all e-scooter injuries in Denver occurred between 7 PM and 3 AM, and 44% occurred on weekends, periods strongly associated with alcohol use. Studies have found that intoxicated e-scooter riders are far more likely to suffer head and facial injuries.

Common E-Scooter Accident Injuries

E-scooter riders have virtually no protection in a crash. Riders stand upright on a narrow platform with small wheels, making them highly vulnerable to serious injuries upon impact or a fall. Common e-scooter accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions: Head injuries are among the most devastating consequences of e-scooter accidents. Research has found that head and neck injuries account for more than 22% of all reported e-scooter injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and intracranial bleeding. The majority of injured riders were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident.

• Broken bones and fractures: Fractures are the single most common e-scooter injury. Wrist, forearm, and hand fractures are especially prevalent as riders instinctively extend their arms to break a fall. Upper limb fractures account for a significant portion of all e-scooter fractures, with ulnar and radial fractures being the most frequent.

• Road rash and soft tissue injuries: Sliding across pavement at speed causes severe skin abrasions that can lead to infection, permanent scarring, and the need for skin grafts in serious cases. Contusions and abrasions are the second most common category of e-scooter injury after fractures.

• Facial and dental injuries: The forward-leaning riding position on a scooter means the face and jaw are especially vulnerable in a crash. Facial lacerations, broken jaws, knocked-out teeth, and orbital fractures are common.

• Spinal cord and back injuries: The force of a collision or fall from an e-scooter can cause herniated discs, vertebral fractures, or spinal cord damage that may result in partial or complete paralysis.

• Shoulder and collarbone injuries: Riders thrown from a scooter frequently land on their shoulder, resulting in dislocated shoulders, separated AC joints, and broken collarbones.

The University of Colorado School of Medicine research found that the mean annual sum of hospital charges for treatment of e-scooter injuries in Denver was $10.4 million between 2020 and 2023, and that the frequency and cost of these injuries is increasing each year.

Liability in E-Scooter Accidents

Determining who is at fault in an e-scooter accident can be more complex than a typical motor vehicle collision. Multiple parties may share liability depending on the circumstances of the accident:

Negligent Motorists

Drivers who strike e-scooter riders through careless, distracted, or reckless driving can be held liable for resulting injuries. Common examples include drivers who fail to check for scooter riders before turning, opening car doors into a rider's path, running red lights, or driving while distracted or impaired. Colorado law affords e-scooter riders the same rights on the road as cyclists, meaning motorists owe them the same duty of care.

E-Scooter Companies

Scooter companies like Lime and Bird may be held liable when their negligence contributes to an accident. This can include deploying scooters with known mechanical defects, failing to properly maintain their fleet, allowing scooters with worn brakes or malfunctioning throttles to remain in service, or failing to adequately warn riders of known hazards. Lime has faced lawsuits and issued multiple safety recalls, including for scooters that broke apart during normal use and for batteries that posed a fire risk.

Government Entities

Cities and municipalities may bear responsibility when dangerous road conditions contribute to an e-scooter accident. Potholes, crumbling pavement, missing signage, inadequate lighting, and poorly designed bike lanes can all create hazardous conditions for scooter riders. Claims against government entities in Colorado are subject to the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, which imposes specific notice requirements and shorter filing deadlines. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these requirements.

Other Riders or Pedestrians

In some cases, another e-scooter rider or a pedestrian who acts negligently may be partially or fully responsible for a collision. For example, a pedestrian stepping into a bike lane without looking, or another scooter rider operating recklessly, could contribute to an accident.

Scooter Company Waivers and Your Legal Rights

When you sign up for a shared e-scooter service, you agree to a user agreement that includes liability waivers and terms of service. Bird's user agreement runs 18 pages, and Lime's spans 35 pages. These agreements typically include language requiring riders to assume the risk of injury and waive certain rights to sue the company.

However, these waivers have important limitations. In many jurisdictions, liability waivers cannot protect a company against claims based on gross negligence, product defects, or willful misconduct. If a scooter company deployed a vehicle with a known mechanical defect, or if a design flaw made the scooter unreasonably dangerous, the waiver may not shield the company from liability. Additionally, many scooter company agreements include mandatory arbitration clauses and class action waivers, which can affect how your claim is pursued.

An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate whether the waiver you signed is enforceable and identify all potential legal avenues for your claim.

Colorado's Comparative Negligence and E-Scooter Claims

Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system under C.R.S. 13-21-111. If you are found to be less than 50% at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation.

Insurance companies and scooter companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto injured riders by arguing they were riding on the sidewalk, not wearing a helmet, riding while intoxicated, or operating the scooter recklessly. Even if you were partially at fault, you may still be entitled to significant compensation. An experienced attorney can counter these tactics and protect your right to a fair recovery.

What to Do After an E-Scooter Accident

1. Seek immediate medical attention: Many e-scooter injuries, including concussions and internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent. A prompt medical evaluation protects your health and creates documentation essential to your claim.

2. Call the police: An official police report establishes a record of the accident, documents the scene, and identifies the parties involved. This is especially important in collisions with motor vehicles or hit-and-run incidents.

3. Document the scene and the scooter: If you are physically able, photograph the accident scene, road conditions, the scooter (including its ID number), your injuries, and any vehicles involved. Note the scooter company, the time, and the exact location. Collect contact information from any witnesses.

4. Preserve your ride data: Take screenshots of your ride history in the scooter app. This data can show your speed, route, and the duration of your ride, which may be valuable evidence in your case.

5. Do not give a recorded statement to insurance companies: Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after an accident, hoping to obtain statements that minimize your claim. Speak with an attorney before providing any recorded statements.

6. Report the incident to the scooter company: File an accident report through the scooter company's app. This creates an additional record of the incident and may trigger a mechanical inspection of the scooter.

7. Contact an e-scooter accident attorney: E-scooter accident claims can involve multiple liable parties, complex user agreements, and aggressive insurance tactics. An experienced attorney can preserve critical evidence, navigate the legal complexities, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Anderson Hemmat offers a free personal injury case evaluation so you can understand your legal options at no cost.

The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Colorado is two years from the date of the accident, though motor vehicle accident claims may allow up to three years. Claims against government entities have even shorter notice deadlines. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Contact a Colorado E-Scooter Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in an electric scooter accident in Colorado, the personal injury attorneys at Anderson Hemmat are here to fight for your rights. Our firm has extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases involving multiple liable parties, and we have the resources to take on large scooter companies and their insurers. We handle e-scooter accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact Anderson Hemmat today for a free consultation. Call (303) 782-9999 or visit our office at 5613 DTC Parkway, Suite 700, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Our attorneys are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.