Your Legal Rights After a Scooter or E-Bike Accident in New York City

Electric scooters and e-bikes are increasing in popularity throughout New York City. From commuters willing to beat traffic to delivery drivers traveling around the boroughs, these convenient vehicles have become a staple on city streets. However, as the popularity of scooters has grown, so has the number of serious incidents involving pedestrians, cars, and even other riders.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident involving an e-bike or electric scooter in New York City, you may be eligible for compensation. At Greenberg & Stein P.C., our legal team is here to explain your rights, your options, and how we can help you fight for the justice you deserve.

Are E-Bike and Scooter Accidents on the Rise in New York City?

Yes, and the numbers are startling. According to recent data from the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), collisions involving electric scooters and e-bikes have increased recently. The city’s Vision Zero effort observed a considerable increase in injuries and fatalities associated with micromobility cars, particularly in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Several factors contribute to this increase:

• Higher usage: With more people relying on e-bikes and scooters, especially gig economy workers, the potential for crashes grows.
• Lack of dedicated infrastructure: Many streets still lack protected bike lanes, forcing riders into dangerous proximity with cars and pedestrians.
• Driver and rider confusion: Many drivers and even riders are unaware of right-of-way rules when it comes to scooters and e-bikes.

E-bikes and scooters are popular alternatives to traditional transport, but few know how to use them properly. As a result, the number of crashes and injuries has increased alongside the growing use of scooters and e-bikes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Scooter or E-Bike Accident?

In New York, determining liability in a scooter or e-bike crash is highly influenced by the circumstances of the incident. Parties that may be held accountable include:

• Motor vehicle drivers who hit a rider or cause them to crash through negligent driving.
• Scooter or e-bike riders who strike a pedestrian or ride recklessly.
• Employers, such as delivery companies, if the rider was working at the time of the accident.
• Manufacturers of defective scooters or e-bikes.
• The City of New York or private property owners, if dangerous road conditions contributed to the accident.

Accidents involving micromobility devices typically require an extensive investigation. Greenberg & Stein P.C.’s legal team investigates police records, witness evidence, surveillance video, and vehicle or scooter data to develop a compelling case for our clients.

Can I Sue If I Was Hit by a Scooter or E-Bike Rider?

Yes, you may be able to sue if you got hit and injured by a scooter or e-bike user in New York City. These crashes can occur with pedestrians, bikers, or even automobiles, and victims have legal rights—especially if the rider was careless or reckless.

Common Scenarios Where a Rider May Be Liable:

• A scooter rider runs through a red light and collides with a pedestrian at a crosswalk.
• An e-bike rider speeds on a sidewalk, knocking over a senior citizen or child.
• A delivery cyclist weaves through traffic, colliding with a stopped vehicle’s door or mirror.
• A cyclist was texting while driving and failed to notice a pedestrian crossing the street.

In each of these scenarios, if the rider failed to exercise reasonable care, they can be held liable for injuries they caused.

Legal Challenges: Identifying the Rider

Scooter and e-bike users, unlike car drivers, frequently lack insurance and visible license plates, making them difficult to locate. However, a personal injury attorney can investigate the case by:

• Speaking to witnesses
• Reviewing surveillance or traffic camera footage
• Checking delivery company records (if the rider was working at the time)
• Subpoenaing app data if the rider used a rental service like Lime, Bird, or Citi Bike

Unfortunately, hit-and-run scooter and e-bike accidents do happen. If the rider flees and cannot be tracked down, you may be eligible to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) policy if you were hurt while driving or as a passenger in a vehicle. If you were a pedestrian, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the New York Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), but only if the circumstances match certain criteria.

Suing a Delivery Company

If the rider who hit you worked for a delivery service such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub, you might have a stronger case. In these circumstances, the company may be liable under New York law, particularly if the rider was acting within the scope of their employment. Corporate defendants frequently have commercial insurance coverage, which can greatly improve your prospects of receiving compensation.

Can I Sue If I Was Riding a Scooter or E-Bike and Was Hit by a Car?

Yes, if you were lawfully riding a scooter or e-bike in New York City and were hit by a car, truck, or other motor vehicle, you have the right to sue the at-fault motorist.

These accidents can cause significant injuries to riders, such as fractured bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, or even death—especially because scooters and e-bikes provide little protection.

Fault and Legal Standing as a Rider

E-bike and scooter riders are legally recognized as vulnerable road users in New York. That means you have the same right to share the road—and be protected from harm—as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. A driver can be held liable and responsible for your injuries if they acted negligently, for example:

• Failing to yield in a bike lane
• Distracted or drunk driving
• Running a red light
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Making an illegal turn

Even if you were partially responsible—for example, if you were outside a designated bike lane or were not wearing a helmet—New York’s comparative negligence statutes may still allow you to seek compensation, though your award may be reduced correspondingly.

Working with a New York City personal injury lawyer can help you determine who was at fault, identify all available insurance policies, and pursue full compensation for your injuries.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Scooter or E-Bike Crash in New York City?

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries as a pedestrian, rider, or motorist, you might be eligible for compensation. Damages in these circumstances can include:

• Medical expenses (ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions)
• Lost wages and future earning capacity if you’re unable to return to work
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage (if your personal property, scooter, bike, or phone was damaged)
• Loss of enjoyment of life for long-term injuries or disability

Families in wrongful death claims may seek compensation for burial costs, loss of companionship, and lost household income.

Importantly, your ability to file a lawsuit may be contingent on whether your injuries exceed New York’s “serious injury” level under the state’s no-fault rule. Our attorneys can review your case to see if you are eligible to file a full personal injury claim outside of the no-fault system.

Injured in a Scooter or E-Bike Accident in New York City? Greenberg & Stein Will Fight for Your Compensation

Accidents involving scooters and e-bikes can leave victims with long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Whether you were hit by a careless rider, struck by a car while riding, or wounded as a result of hazardous infrastructure or defective equipment, you have rights. At Greenberg & Stein P.C., we have decades of experience handling complex personal injury cases throughout New York City. 

Time is critical if you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a scooter or e-bike accident. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away, and strict deadlines apply under New York’s statute of limitations.

Contact Greenberg & Stein P.C. today to schedule your free consultation and get the experienced legal representation you need.