The Surge in E-Scooter Accidents in Boston

Boston, MA, has seen steady growth in the adoption of E-scooters and other bike-share programs. At the end of 2024, Bluebikes had 520 docking stations across the Boston metro area. The program has nearly 30,000 annual members, sold an additional 1.25 million 24-hour and single-trip passes, and logged over 4.7 million total trips.

Unfortunately, as more people turn to E-scooters and electric bikes to get around Boston, riders face an increasing risk of accidents involving crashes, wipeouts, and collisions with motor vehicles. In some cases, injured E-scooter riders may have the right to seek financial compensation from negligent parties who cause accidents.

Common causes and types of E-scooter accidents

E-scooter riders can get into various types of accidents. For example, a rider may crash and fall off their scooter or electric bike if they hit a pothole or an obstacle on the road. Riders may also collide with pedestrians who step onto the road in the path of an E-scooter or who walk or jog in bike paths.

However, more dangerous types of E-scooter accidents include collisions with motor vehicles. Unfortunately, careless drivers may fail to share the road with E-scooter riders, causing potentially catastrophic accidents. Some of the most frequent motor vehicle operator-related causes of E-scooter accidents in Boston include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failure to yield the right-of-way
• Driving in bike lanes
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to signal or check mirrors before turning or changing lanes
• Drowsy/fatigued driving 

Injuries suffered by E-scooter riders

E-scooter riders can suffer various injuries in accidents, especially in collisions with motor vehicles, as riders may have nothing more than a bike helmet to protect themselves in a crash. Examples of injuries that can occur in E-scooter accidents include:

• Lacerations and abrasions, including “road rash”
• Dislocated joints
• Broken bones and compound fractures
• Ligament sprains and tears
• Muscle and tendon strains and tears
• Herniated spinal disc injury
• Internal organ injuries and bleeding
• Facial injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Head and brain injuries
• Traumatic amputation or limb loss

Who can be held liable for an E-scooter accident?

Various parties may bear liability for an E-scooter accident depending on the accident’s circumstances. For example, a driver who hits an E-scooter rider due to the driver’s negligent or reckless operation of their vehicle may bear liability for the collision. Similarly, a pedestrian who negligently steps in front of an oncoming E-scooter or unlawfully walks in a bike lane may bear responsibility for an accident. Additionally, when a careless or reckless driver hits an E-scooter rider while driving for work (such as a delivery or livery driver), the driver’s employer may also bear liability to the injured rider under a theory of employer liability.

Recovering compensation for an E-scooter accident? 

In an E-scooter accident claim in Boston, you may have the opportunity to recover compensation for various financial and personal losses you suffer due to injuries and property damage sustained in the accident. Your financial recovery can include money for your:

• Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, pain medication, and physical therapy
• Costs of long-term disability care for severe impairments caused by accident injuries
• Lost income from missed time from work while recovering from injuries
• Lost future earning capacity if prolonged or permanent disabilities prevent you from returning to your job or earning as much as you did before the accident
• Costs of repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed property, such as one’s E-scooter, bike helmet, or property inside their pockets or backpack
• Physical pain from injuries and medical treatment
• Emotional trauma or distress
• Lost quality and enjoyment of life due to severe disabilities or scarring/disfigurement that interferes with daily living 

Legal challenges in E-scooter accident claims 

Due to the novelty of E-scooters and their relatively new popularity in Boston, injured riders may face various legal complications and challenges in pursuing accident claims. For example, state law requires E-scooter operators to possess a driver’s license. An unlicensed rider may face difficulty pursuing liability for an accident.

Furthermore, riders cannot operate E-scooters above 20 miles per hour. They may not use limited access or express highways or public roads with signs prohibiting scooters, bicycles, or similar vehicles. E-scooter riders must follow all applicable traffic laws, except that riders must always keep to the right even when passing other vehicles.

Time limits for E-scooter accident claims

 Under Massachusetts’ statute of limitations, you typically have three years after an E-scooter accident in Boston to file a lawsuit against the person or other parties at fault or who bear liability for your injuries and losses. However, you can best protect your rights and options by speaking with an E-scooter accident attorney from Breakstone, White & Gluck as soon as possible after a crash to give yourself the best chance to file your claims on time. Otherwise, you may lose the opportunity to seek financial recovery for your personal injuries and losses if the limitations period expires on your accident claim.

Safety tips for riders

E-scooter riders in Boston can minimize their chances of getting into a devastating accident or collision with a motor vehicle by following key safety tips such as:

• Always wear a helmet while riding an E-scooter
• Follow all applicable traffic laws while riding on a public road, including stopping at all red lights and stop signs and signaling before turning
• Avoid riding after sunset or before sunrise
• Practice defensive riding – never assume that another motorist or pedestrian sees you, and always have an “out” if you find yourself in a dangerous situation

Contact our firm today to discuss your options

 When you’ve suffered injuries in an E-scooter accident in Boston, you need experienced legal counsel to help you recover the financial resources you need for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact Breakstone, White & Gluck today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an E-scooter accident lawyer to discuss your options for pursuing financial recovery and accountability for the harm and loss you’ve endured.