Electric scooters have become a familiar sight in cities and college towns across Virginia. Riders often choose them for convenience, affordability, and ease of use in crowded areas.
As scooter use has increased, however, so have serious injuries. Many people researching electric scooter accidents want to understand how these crashes happen and what risks to consider before riding.
At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we represent individuals injured in a wide range of transportation-related incidents, including electric scooter crashes.
Our Virginia personal injury attorneys in Richmond and Lynchburg spent years defending insurance companies before shifting focus to representing injured people.
That experience helps us understand how insurers evaluate these claims and why they often dispute responsibility. We now use that insight to help injured riders understand what caused their accident and the options available under Virginia law.
Why Are Electric Scooter Accidents Increasing Across Virginia?
Electric scooters operate in environments typically not designed for micromobility. Riders frequently share space with cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, often without clear guidance on where scooters should travel. Unlike drivers, scooter riders have little physical protection.
Several trends contribute to the growing number of electric scooter accidents, including increased ridership, limited rider experience, and inconsistent infrastructure. Understanding these trends helps riders make safer choices.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Virginia
Electric scooter crashes rarely occur for a single reason. In many situations, multiple factors combine to create dangerous conditions, including:
- Negligent motor vehicle drivers. Many electric scooter accidents involve cars or trucks. Drivers may overlook scooters while turning, misjudge speed, or fail to notice riders due to distracted driving.
- Unsafe road conditions. Surface hazards such as potholes, loose gravel, cracked pavement, and debris can cause riders to lose balance. Conditions that pose little risk to cars may be dangerous for scooters.
- Lack of dedicated infrastructure. Many Virginia roads lack bike lanes or scooter-friendly paths. This forces riders to choose between sidewalks and traffic lanes, increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles or pedestrians.
- Limited rider experience. Scooters are easy to rent and operate, but many riders have little experience. Sudden braking, sharp turns, and improper positioning can quickly lead to loss of control.
- Excessive speed or abrupt stops. Scooters can reach speeds that feel manageable but leave little room for error. Sudden stops at intersections or in traffic may cause falls.
- Weather and surface conditions. Rain, wet leaves, and icy pavement reduce traction. Even light moisture can cause scooter tires to slip, increasing the risk of crashes.
- Defective or poorly maintained scooters. Mechanical problems such as brake failure, worn tires, or steering issues may contribute to accidents. Riders often rely on rental companies to properly inspect and maintain scooters.
Taken together, these conditions explain why electric scooter accidents often happen without much warning. Awareness of these risks allows riders to adjust their behavior and reduce exposure to danger.
Common Injuries Resulting from Electric Scooter Accidents
Because scooter riders lack protective barriers, injuries are often serious, and include:
- Head and traumatic brain injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Facial and dental injuries,
- Soft tissue damage, and
- Road rash and lacerations.
We regularly remind clients that minor impact does not mean minor injury. Falls that appear insignificant can still result in long-term medical complications.
How Does Virginia Law Apply to Electric Scooter Accidents?
Electric scooter accidents raise unique legal questions. Liability may depend on where the scooter was operated, whether traffic laws were followed, and which parties were involved. Virginia’s contributory negligence rule plays a significant role in these cases.
Under contributory negligence, an injured person may be barred from recovery if found even slightly responsible. Insurance companies frequently rely on this rule to argue that the ride’s improper operation or failure to follow traffic rules caused the accident.
However, contributory negligence is typically a question for the jury rather than an automatic conclusion. Evidence, witness testimony, and careful investigation often determine fault.
What Steps Can Riders Take to Reduce Accident Risk?
While no ride is entirely risk-free, scooter users can improve safety by:
- Wearing protective gear like helmets,
- Obeying traffic laws and signals,
- Avoiding uneven or poorly lit surfaces,
- Remaining alert near vehicles and pedestrians, and
- Adjusting speed based on conditions.
Practicing awareness and caution can reduce the likelihood of serious injury.
What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident
The actions you take after an electric scooter accident can affect both your recovery and your legal options. Even when injuries seem minor, the following steps can help protect your health and preserve important details about the crash:
- Seek medical care. Although injuries, including head trauma, may not cause immediate symptoms, medical evaluation should come first. Prompt care creates a record linking injuries to the accident.
- Report the incident when necessary. Depending on the location, reporting the accident to law enforcement or property management may be appropriate. A report can document when and where the crash occurred.
- Document the scene. Take photographs of the scooter, roadway conditions, nearby vehicles, and visible injuries. Conditions can change quickly after an accident.
- Preserve the scooter. Avoid returning, repairing, or discarding the scooter before understanding your options. The scooter’s condition may be relevant to determining the cause of the accident.
- Be careful with insurance communications. Insurance companies may reach out soon after the accident. Insurers can use recorded statements to limit claims, so it is important to proceed cautiously.
- Consult an experienced Richmond personal injury lawyer. Early legal guidance helps explain how Virginia law applies. An attorney can help identify insurance coverage and meet important deadlines.
Taking these steps early can help safeguard your health and prevent important evidence from being lost.
How Can a Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Electric scooter claims often involve complex liability questions, multiple parties, and overlapping insurance coverage. Guidance from a personal injury lawyer can help clarify available options and address contributory negligence concerns.
At Merrick Brock, clients work directly with the attorneys handling their case. We investigate accident causes, identify insurance coverage, and prepare cases for settlement or trial when necessary. Our defense-side experience allows us to anticipate insurer tactics and respond effectively.
Talk with Merrick Brock About Electric Scooter Accidents
People injured in electric scooter accidents deserve clear answers and thoughtful guidance. If you were hurt while riding an electric scooter in Virginia, contact Merrick Brock to speak directly with the attorneys who will handle your case from start to finish.
Our firm is committed to helping injured riders understand their options and move forward with confidence.