Pedestrians struck by e-scooter riders on sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian zones face unique challenges recovering compensation. Navigate rider negligence claims, scooter company liability, municipal enforcement failures, and insurance coverage gaps to get fair compensation for your injuries.
Pedestrian E-Scooter Collision Claims Overview
Collision Type
Common Scenarios
Potential Defendants
Sidewalk riding collision
Rider traveling on sidewalk hits walking pedestrian from behind
Rider, scooter company (negligent entrustment), city (failure to enforce)
Crosswalk collision
Scooter runs red light or fails to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk
Rider, potentially driver if rider was avoiding vehicle
Pedestrian zone collision
Rider enters prohibited pedestrian-only area (plaza, park path)
Rider, property owner if inadequate barriers
Shared path collision
Excessive speed on multi-use trail, failure to warn before passing
Rider, city if path design creates hazards
Dismount zone collision
Rider fails to dismount in required zone near transit stops, schools
Rider, scooter company if geofencing failed
Why Pedestrian Scooter Cases Are Difficult
Individual riders often lack liability insurance or assets
Hit-and-run scenarios common due to ease of fleeing
Scooter companies shift liability to riders via user agreements
Cities face sovereign immunity defenses
Witnesses may not capture rider identity or scooter ID
Common Pedestrian Injuries
Hip and pelvis fractures from direct impact
Head injuries from falls after collision
Wrist and arm fractures from bracing falls
Knee and ankle injuries from being knocked down
Elderly victims face heightened fall injury risks
Identification Critical: If struck by an e-scooter rider, immediately note the scooter ID number (displayed on handlebars), take photos, and request witness information. Scooter companies can identify riders from GPS and rental data if you have the scooter ID and timestamp.
Legal Framework for Pedestrian Scooter Injuries
Liability Theories Against Different Defendants
Claims Against the Rider
Negligence: Breach of duty to operate safely around pedestrians
Negligence per se: Violation of sidewalk riding laws equals automatic negligence
Negligent licensing: City authorized scooter program without adequate safety requirements
Note: Government tort claim required within 30-180 days depending on state
Regulatory Violation = Negligence: When a rider violates a local ordinance prohibiting sidewalk riding and injures a pedestrian, that violation establishes negligence per se in most jurisdictions. The only question becomes damages, not fault.
Documentation Requirements
Scene Documentation
Critical Evidence to Capture
Scooter ID number (QR code or serial on handlebars)
Photos of rider and scooter before they flee
Exact location with GPS coordinates or address
Date and time of collision (for rental record matching)
Witness names and contact information
Surveillance cameras in the area
Environmental Evidence
Sidewalk width and condition
Signage prohibiting scooter riding
Pedestrian traffic density at time of incident
Lighting conditions if evening/night collision
Any scooter parking corrals or geofence markers
Distance from intersections or crosswalks
Medical Documentation
Emergency treatment: Document mechanism of injury (struck by scooter from behind, knocked to ground)
Imaging studies: X-rays for fractures, CT scans for head injuries after falls
Fall injury documentation: Hip, pelvis, wrist injuries common in pedestrian knockdowns
Age-related considerations: Elderly victims may have prolonged recovery, pre-existing conditions
Rider Identification Through Scooter Company
File police report documenting scooter ID and collision time
Send preservation letter to scooter company demanding rider records
Subpoena rental records showing who rented scooter at collision time
Request GPS data showing scooter location and speed at time of collision
Companies typically retain rider data for 1-3 years
Hit-and-Run Protocol: If the rider flees, immediately photograph the scooter ID if visible, note the exact time, and file a police report. Call the scooter company customer service to report the incident and request they flag the rental. Send a formal preservation letter within 24 hours.
Demand Letter Strategy
Identifying Collectible Defendants
Individual rider: Research assets, homeowner status, employment before pursuing
Scooter company: Deep pockets but strong legal defenses via user agreements
City/municipality: Requires tort claim but may have insurance coverage
Property owner: If collision occurred on private property with inadequate safety
Key Demand Letter Elements
Collision description: Location, time, circumstances, how pedestrian was struck
Regulatory violations: Cite specific sidewalk riding ordinances violated
Rider identification: How rider was identified (witness, scooter ID, police report)
Injury documentation: Medical treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, ongoing care
Damages calculation: Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering
Insurance inquiry: Request confirmation of liability coverage
Settlement demand: Specific amount with response deadline
Strategy Based on Defendant
Defendant
Primary Arguments
Key Evidence Needed
Individual rider
Negligence per se (ordinance violation), reckless operation
Police report, witness statements, municipal code citation
Scooter company
Negligent entrustment, failure to enforce geofencing, public nuisance
Rider violation history, geofence data, pattern of sidewalk incidents
City/municipality
Failure to enforce, dangerous condition, negligent program design
Multiple Defendants Strategy: Name all potentially liable parties in your demand to maximize leverage. The rider may have homeowner coverage, the scooter company wants to avoid bad publicity, and the city may settle to avoid setting enforcement precedent.
Sample Pedestrian E-Scooter Collision Demand Letter
[Date]
Via Certified Mail and Email
[Rider Name]
[Rider Address]
[City, State ZIP]
CC: [Scooter Company] Legal Department
[City Attorney's Office]
Re: Personal Injury Claim - E-Scooter Pedestrian Collision
Injured Party: [Client Name]
Incident Date: [Date]
Location: [Street Address/Intersection]
Scooter ID: [If Known]
Dear [Rider Name]:
This firm represents [Client Name] regarding serious injuries sustained on [Date] when you struck [him/her] with a rental e-scooter while riding on the sidewalk at [Location]. We write to demand compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from your negligent and unlawful operation of the scooter.
FACTS OF THE INCIDENT
On [Date] at approximately [Time], our client was walking [direction] on the sidewalk at [Location]. Without warning, you struck our client from behind while operating a [Lime/Bird/other] e-scooter at excessive speed on the sidewalk. The collision knocked our client to the ground, causing the injuries described below.
[City] Municipal Code Section [XXX] prohibits operating e-scooters on sidewalks. Your violation of this ordinance constitutes negligence per se under [State] law. You are liable for all damages proximately caused by your unlawful conduct.
Witnesses observed you riding at approximately [X] mph on a crowded sidewalk without warning pedestrians of your approach. After the collision, you [fled the scene / provided identification].
LIABILITY ANALYSIS
Your conduct was negligent in the following respects:
1. Operating an e-scooter on the sidewalk in violation of [City] Municipal Code § [XXX]
2. Failing to yield to pedestrians who have right-of-way on sidewalks
3. Operating at excessive speed for conditions on a pedestrian walkway
4. Failing to provide audible warning before passing pedestrians
5. Failing to maintain proper lookout and control of the scooter
Under [State] law, violation of a safety statute designed to protect pedestrians establishes negligence per se. The only remaining question is damages.
INJURIES AND DAMAGES
Our client sustained the following documented injuries:
- [Fracture type] requiring [treatment - surgery, casting, etc.]
- [Secondary injury] requiring [treatment]
- Contusions and abrasions from impact with pavement
- [Ongoing condition] with prognosis of [recovery timeline]
Medical expenses to date total $[Amount], with anticipated future treatment costs of $[Amount] for [physical therapy, hardware removal, etc.]. Our client, employed as a [Occupation], has been unable to work for [X] weeks, with lost wages of $[Amount].
INSURANCE INQUIRY
Please provide the following information within ten (10) days:
- Your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy information
- Any umbrella or excess liability coverage
- Contact information for your insurance claims representative
We are also sending notice to [Scooter Company] regarding potential negligent entrustment and supervision claims, and to the [City] regarding failure to enforce sidewalk riding prohibitions.
DEMAND
Based on documented injuries, clear liability, and your violation of pedestrian safety ordinances, we demand the total sum of $[Amount] to resolve all claims:
- Past medical expenses: $[Amount]
- Future medical expenses: $[Amount]
- Lost wages: $[Amount]
- Pain, suffering, and inconvenience: $[Amount]
Please respond within twenty-one (21) days with your settlement position and insurance information. If we cannot reach resolution, we will pursue all legal remedies including civil litigation for negligence, negligence per se, and any applicable punitive damages for reckless disregard of pedestrian safety.
Sincerely,
[Attorney Name]
Attorney for [Client Name]
[Law Firm]
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]
Enclosures:
- Medical records and billing statements
- Police report
- Photographs of collision scene
- Municipal code provisions
Consider pursuing the scooter company under negligent entrustment theories or the city for failure to enforce. Check if your own auto policy includes uninsured motorist coverage that might apply. Some homeowner policies exclude scooter incidents, but many do not explicitly exclude them.
File a police report with the scooter ID and collision time. The police may request rider information directly from the company. For civil cases, you can subpoena rental records once litigation is filed. Send a preservation letter immediately to prevent data deletion.
Attorney Services & Contact
Pedestrian E-Scooter Injury Representation
I represent pedestrians injured by e-scooter riders on sidewalks and in pedestrian zones. My practice handles claims against individual riders, scooter rental companies, and municipalities that fail to enforce safety regulations.
Email owner@terms.law or use Calendly for a paid strategy session.