E-Scooter Accidents

Electric scooters have become a familiar sight on the streets of Nashville, Davidson County, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, and other communities across Middle Tennessee. Popular for their convenience and low cost, e-scooters offer a flexible way to navigate urban areas. However, with their rise in popularity, emergency rooms and law enforcement agencies have also reported a dramatic increase in accidents involving these devices. At The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we represent individuals injured in e-scooter crashes—whether they were riding a scooter, struck by one, or harmed due to unsafe infrastructure or negligent drivers.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries related to an electric scooter accident, you may be entitled to compensation under Tennessee law. Contact our office at (615) 742-4880 to schedule a free consultation. We will evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and pursue the justice you deserve.

The Rise of e-Scooters in Tennessee

Over the past several years, companies such as Bird, Lime, Spin, and Lyft have launched app-based e-scooter rental services in Tennessee’s largest cities. In Nashville, e-scooters have become a popular option for commuting short distances, sightseeing, and avoiding vehicle traffic. While the convenience of scooters is undeniable, they also pose significant safety challenges. Riders often operate them without helmets, navigate busy roadways, ride on sidewalks in violation of local rules, or park them in a way that obstructs pedestrian access.

According to data from the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, the city has seen hundreds of reported e-scooter crashes, including incidents that resulted in brain injuries, broken bones, and even fatalities. The increasing frequency of these accidents has prompted city officials to consider new restrictions and safety regulations.

Despite public concern, legal protections for scooter riders and pedestrians remain underdeveloped. Victims of e-scooter injuries often face complex questions about liability, insurance coverage, and local ordinances. That is where experienced legal guidance becomes essential.

Common Causes of e-Scooter Accidents

Electric scooter accidents can occur in a wide variety of circumstances. One common cause is collisions between scooters and motor vehicles. Many car drivers fail to yield to scooter riders at intersections or while turning, often because they do not expect or see the rider in time. These crashes can occur at relatively low speeds but still result in serious injuries due to the lack of protection scooters offer their operators.

Hazardous road conditions also contribute to a significant number of e-scooter incidents. Riders may lose control after encountering potholes, broken pavement, loose gravel, or construction debris. Because scooters have small wheels and low ground clearance, even minor surface defects can cause a sudden loss of balance or control. In these cases, city or county governments may bear some responsibility if they failed to maintain safe road conditions.

Accidents can also occur due to defective scooters. If the scooter’s brakes fail, the battery malfunctions, or the handlebars become loose, a rider may be injured through no fault of their own. In such cases, the manufacturer, distributor, or scooter rental company may be liable under Tennessee product liability law.

Additionally, pedestrians and cyclists may be harmed by negligent e-scooter riders who operate the vehicles at unsafe speeds, ride on sidewalks where prohibited, or park scooters in a way that creates trip hazards. These incidents raise important questions about rider responsibility, municipal oversight, and corporate accountability.

Tennessee Law and Liability in Scooter Crashes

Tennessee law does not currently provide a dedicated statute for e-scooter operation, but riders are generally subject to the same rules as bicyclists under the Tennessee Code Annotated. That means they must follow traffic laws, yield to pedestrians, and operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. In Nashville, Metro ordinances regulate where scooters may be operated, parked, and retrieved. Riders are prohibited from operating scooters on sidewalks in most parts of downtown Nashville, and violations of these rules may constitute evidence of negligence.

Liability in a scooter accident depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. If a motorist strikes a scooter rider while violating traffic laws—for example, by running a red light or failing to yield—the driver may be found negligent. If the scooter itself malfunctions due to poor maintenance or design flaws, the operator or manufacturer may be liable. If a city failed to repair known hazards in a public road or sidewalk, the government may be responsible under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, although this statute imposes special rules and limits on lawsuits against public entities.

Riders also have a duty to operate their scooters responsibly. If a rider is intoxicated, violates local rules, or acts recklessly, they may share fault for their own injuries or for injuries to others. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system. Under Tennessee law, an injured party may recover compensation so long as they were less than 50 percent at fault. However, any damages awarded are reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s share of fault.

Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to determine all responsible parties, gather evidence of negligence, and identify the best legal strategy for each case. We handle negotiations with insurance companies and are prepared to take cases to trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached.

Types of Injuries Associated with e-Scooter Crashes

Because e-scooters offer little to no physical protection, even minor accidents can result in significant harm. Many riders do not wear helmets, increasing the risk of traumatic brain injury in the event of a fall or collision. Concussions, skull fractures, and other head injuries are common and may have long-term neurological consequences.

Fractures to the arms, wrists, legs, and collarbone are also frequently reported. Riders often instinctively extend their arms during a fall, resulting in broken bones or dislocated shoulders. Road rash, lacerations, and facial injuries may occur when a rider hits the pavement or is thrown from the scooter. In serious cases, spinal cord injuries may lead to paralysis or permanent disability.

Pedestrians and cyclists who are hit by scooters or trip over improperly parked devices may also suffer serious injuries. These may include broken hips, torn ligaments, or head trauma from striking the ground.

Our firm works with medical experts and life care planners to fully document the extent of each client’s injuries. We ensure that our clients’ future medical needs and long-term consequences are included in the damages we seek from liable parties.

Challenges with Insurance and Compensation

Recovering compensation after an e-scooter accident can be more complicated than in a typical car crash. Scooter rental companies often include broad liability waivers in their user agreements, which may limit the company’s responsibility for certain types of injuries. However, these waivers are not always enforceable under Tennessee law, especially in cases involving gross negligence, product defects, or injuries to third parties.

Many scooter riders do not carry insurance that would cover an e-scooter crash. In contrast, if a negligent driver causes the accident, the driver’s auto insurance may apply. In some cases, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on the victim’s own car insurance policy may provide benefits, even if the victim was riding a scooter at the time of the crash.

If a public entity is involved—for instance, due to unsafe road conditions—special procedures must be followed under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, including shorter deadlines and specific notice requirements. An attorney familiar with these laws is essential to ensure compliance and to preserve your claim.

At The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we handle all aspects of insurance negotiations and ensure that claims are properly submitted, documented, and pursued. We explore every available source of compensation to maximize our clients’ recovery.

Steps to Take After an e-Scooter Accident

If you are involved in an e-scooter accident, the first priority is to seek medical attention. Even if injuries appear minor, it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out internal trauma or delayed-onset injuries. Medical documentation will also be essential to any future legal claim.

After ensuring your safety, try to document the scene. Take photos of the scooter, any vehicles involved, road conditions, and visible injuries. If there are witnesses nearby, ask for their contact information. If the police respond, request a copy of the accident report or the report number. Notify the scooter company through their app or customer service line, and keep records of any communication you have with them.

Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney. Early statements can be used against you later and may not fully reflect the complexity of the incident or your injuries.

Why Choose The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Our legal team has over 80 years of combined experience representing injury victims across Tennessee. With offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, we are uniquely positioned to assist clients throughout Davidson County and Middle Tennessee. We offer strategic, personalized representation to each client and have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for those harmed by negligence.

We accept e-scooter accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. We also advance all litigation expenses, eliminating financial barriers to pursuing your claim. Our attorneys work with a full-time nurse and a network of investigators, accident reconstructionists, and medical professionals to build strong, evidence-driven cases.

Whether your accident involved a rental scooter, a privately owned device, or an injury caused by negligent road maintenance, we are prepared to pursue your case with the diligence and professionalism that have earned us a statewide reputation.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-scooter accident, do not wait to seek legal guidance. Call The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. at (615) 742-4880 today. We offer free consultations and will provide an honest assessment of your case. From our offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, we proudly serve clients in Davidson County and throughout Middle Tennessee. Let us help you take the first step toward recovery and accountability