Over the past few years, electric scooters—or e-scooters—have exploded in popularity across the United States, including right here in New Jersey. Whether you're commuting through Newark, navigating the busy streets of Jersey City, or enjoying a quick ride in Fort Lee or Hackensack, e-scooters offer an affordable, eco-friendly, and convenient alternative to cars. They are especially appealing for short trips, students on college campuses, and residents in areas where parking is limited.

But while these devices promise quick mobility and freedom, the risks are far greater than many riders realize. Emergency rooms across the country have reported a staggering increase in e-scooter injuries, with one report showing an 80% jump in just a single year between 2023 and 2024. Since 2020, the overall rise has been nearly 300%. In too many cases, what begins as a quick ride home turns into a devastating accident involving head trauma, spinal injuries, broken bones, or worse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), micromobility devices like scooters and e-bikes are linked to thousands of injuries every year, often due to lack of helmets, poor infrastructure, and inexperienced riders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also warned that cities have not adapted fast enough to the surge in micromobility, leaving riders and pedestrians exposed to unnecessary danger.

As personal injury attorneys serving Bergen County and across Northern NJ, we've seen firsthand how an e-scooter accident can change a person's life. Families are suddenly left with overwhelming medical bills, months of recovery, and uncertainty about how to hold the right parties accountable. The legal landscape surrounding these claims is complex, involving not only negligent drivers but also rental companies, scooter manufacturers, and even municipalities responsible for unsafe roadways.

That's why it's critical to understand your rights if you or a loved one has been injured in an e-scooter accident in New Jersey. AtKhorozian Law Group, L.L.C., we fight for victims and their families—ensuring they receive fair compensation and justice after a preventable accident.

Why Are E-Scooter Accidents Increasing?

Several factors explain the surge in e-scooter injuries:

• Inadequate infrastructure: Many NJ towns lack safe bike lanes, forcing scooters into traffic with cars and trucks. Cracked pavement and potholes are common contributors to accidents.

• Inexperience: Many riders—especially first-time users—are unfamiliar with traffic rules or scooter handling.

• Negligent maintenance: Rental companies often fail to inspect or repair their fleets, leaving unsafe scooters on the streets.

• Driver negligence: Distracted or reckless drivers frequently collide with scooters, especially in high-traffic areas like Fort Lee and Paramus.

Common Injuries After an E-Scooter Crash

E-scooter accidents can result in devastating harm, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures (often from riding without helmets).

• Spinal cord injuries, sometimes leading to paralysis.

• Broken bones and complex fractures.

• Internal bleeding and organ damage.

• Severe lacerations and disfigurement.

These injuries often lead to high economic damages such as hospital bills, rehabilitation, and lost income, along with non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.

Who May Be Liable in an E-Scooter Accident?

Establishing liability is one of the most challenging parts of an e-scooter claim. Multiple parties could be responsible:

• E-scooter companies like Bird or Lime may be liable for defective scooters, battery fires, or lack of proper warnings.

• Negligent drivers often cause serious injuries by failing to yield, speeding, or driving while distracted.

• Municipalities can be held responsible when unsafe road conditions—like unmarked hazards or broken pavement—cause accidents.

Our attorneys are skilled in proving fault in New Jersey accident cases and pursuing claims against every negligent party.

Legal Hurdles in New Jersey Scooter Claims

E-scooter accident cases involve unique legal issues:

• Comparative negligence: In New Jersey, compensation may be reduced if a rider is found partially at fault (for example, not wearing a helmet). Learn more about comparative fault.

• Insurance challenges: Insurance adjusters often dispute these claims, arguing that user agreements limit liability.

• User waivers: Rental companies' liability waivers are being tested in courts, especially where gross negligence or minors are involved.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has noted that micromobility litigation is a fast-growing legal field, with courts evaluating how liability waivers, municipal duties, and product defects intersect in these cases.

How Our Firm Helps Victims

At Khorozian Law Group, our team has decades of experience representing clients in personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases. If you've been hurt in an e-scooter accident in Bergen County or anywhere in Northern New Jersey, we can:

• Investigate the accident scene and preserve critical evidence.

• Identify all liable parties, from drivers to scooter companies to municipalities.

• Calculate damages, including long-term care and future lost income.

• Handle negotiations and settlement discussions with insurers.

• File a lawsuit when necessary to secure maximum compensation.

FAQ: New Jersey E-Scooter Accidents

1. Do I need a lawyer after an e-scooter accident?
Yes. Liability is often spread among multiple parties, making these cases complex. A lawyer ensures your rights are protected.

2. Can I sue if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Yes. New Jersey applies comparative negligence rules. Your damages may be reduced, but you are not barred from recovery.

3. What if a defective scooter caused my injury?
You may have a strong product liability case against the rental company or manufacturer.

4. Can a city be sued for an unsafe road?
Yes. If poor infrastructure caused your injury, you may bring a claim against the municipality.

5. What if my child was injured on an e-scooter?
Courts are increasingly scrutinizing rental agreements signed by minors. If a child is injured, you may still pursue compensation.

6. Do e-scooter accidents qualify for workers' compensation?
If the scooter was being used for work-related travel, you may have a claim under workers’ compensation.

New Jersey E-Scooter Rules & What May Change

In New Jersey, the law currently classifies a “low-speed electric scooter” as a stand-up scooter with a floorboard, handlebars, and an electric motor, with a maximum speed of less than 19 miles per hour. These scooters are treated much like bicycles: riders do not need a driver's license, registration, or insurance to operate them, though helmets are mandatory for anyone under 17. This makes them an affordable and accessible way to get around—especially in busy areas like Bergen County, Hudson County, and across North Jersey.

However, the legal landscape may be shifting. Two bills introduced in the Legislature could significantly change the rules. Senate Bill S2292 proposes requiring low-speed electric scooters and low-speed e-bikes to be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and insured, including liability coverage and uninsured motorist protection. Assembly Bill A1062 takes a different approach, suggesting a lower 15-mile-per-hour speed cap for these devices along with a public safety campaign. Neither bill has become law yet, but if passed, riders would face new costs and responsibilities that could affect how these scooters are used in everyday life.

At Khorozian Law Group, L.L.C., we represent accident victims throughout Bergen County, Hudson County, Essex County, and across Northern New Jersey. Our attorneys understand how to navigate the evolving legal landscape of micromobility accidents, hold negligent parties accountable, and secure maximum compensation for our clients. We take the time to investigate thoroughly, preserve critical evidence, and stand up to insurance companies and corporations who try to minimize your claim.

No matter where your accident occurred—whether in a dense urban area like Newark or Jersey City, or on suburban streets in Englewood Cliffs, Teaneck, or Paramus—you deserve skilled legal representation. The law may still be catching up with this new mode of travel, but our firm is already prepared to fight for victims' rights.

📞If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-scooter accident, don't face the legal process alone. Call (201) 944-9200 or use our Online form today for a free consultation. We proudly serve clients across New Jersey and will fight to protect your future.