Electric scooters fill New Rochelle’s streets. You can see them lined up outside New Roc City, weaving through traffic on North Avenue, and parked near the Metro-North station. People love their scooters because they’re quick, affordable, and convenient. However, riders face real risks when drivers, property owners, and even the city fail to account for scooters sharing the road.
At Greenspan & Greenspan P.C., our New Rochelle scooter accident attorneys represent riders who were injured because someone else wasn’t paying attention. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s careless decisions. So, if you or a loved one was involved in a scooter crash, contact Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers for help getting the compensation you need to pay your bills and move forward.
What Makes New Rochelle Electric Scooter Accidents Legally Different?
Electric scooters occupy an in-between category under New York law—as they are not quite a bicycle or a motor vehicle. The rules change depending on where you ride, and understanding those rules is essential when determining who’s at fault for a crash.
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, e-scooters can operate on streets with speed limits of 30 mph or lower and in bike lanes. Riding on sidewalks is prohibited, meaning scooters share road space with drivers who often aren’t watching for them.
The location of the crash plays a significant role in determining responsibility. A driver who hits a rider legally using a bike lane faces different scrutiny than a driver involved in a crash on a sidewalk where scooters aren’t allowed. Location, local ordinances, and knowing which rules apply at the moment of impact all factor into how you pursue compensation.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in New Rochelle
Even when riders follow every rule, they still face risks from the choices others make. Some of the most common causes of e-scooter crashes we see in New Roc City include:
- Drivers merging into bike lanes without looking;
- Parked vehicles blocking bike lanes, forcing scooters into faster-moving traffic;
- Car doors opening into a rider’s path without warning;
- Potholes, crumbling pavement, and faded or missing lane markings;
- Pedestrians stepping off curbs while looking at their phones;
- Active construction sites with missing warning signs or barriers; and
- Faulty rental scooters with mechanical issues, such as brake or steering failures.
What is the common thread in nearly all these situations? Someone else made a choice that injured you. Drivers, property owners, or rental companies often play a role, and identifying what happened helps support your claim..
Injuries Riders Face After Electric Scooter Crashes
Scooters offer none of the built-in protection that cars provide. When something goes wrong, the rider’s body takes the full impact—often against unforgiving pavement or a fast-moving vehicle. Injuries we see from New Rochelle scooter crashes include:
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries, even with helmets;
- Fractures in the wrists, arms, and collarbone from trying to break a fall;
- Severe road rash requiring skin grafts and infection treatment;
- Torn ligaments and ankle fractures caused by scooter tip-overs;
- Spinal injuries when riders are thrown into the street; and
- Internal bleeding or organ damage, which isn’t always apparent at first.
Recovery time varies widely. Some riders get back on their feet within weeks. Others face surgery, physical therapy, and changes to their day-to-day lives that last far longer. No matter the injuries’ severity, the costs should never land on you when someone else’s actions caused the crash.
What to Do After an Electric Scooter Crash in New Rochelle
The minutes after a crash shape your entire claim, especially when insurance companies ask questions. These steps help protect both your health and your ability to recover damages:
- Call 911—so police can document what happened and who was involved;
- Get medical attention immediately—to document your injuries and start treatment;
- Take photos and video of the scene—including vehicles, hazards, road signs, and your injuries;
- Collect contact details—for all drivers, witnesses, and anyone nearby who saw the crash;
- Don’t give a statement to the insurer—until you get legal advice;
- Keep the scooter in the same condition—inspection after the crash helps determine liability.
Acting quickly preserves the evidence your New Rochelle e-scooter accident lawyer will need to prove what happened.
Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Scooter Crash?
Who pays depends on how the crash happened and who caused it. The answer depends on whether you were riding a rental or a personally owned scooter or encountered unsafe road conditions.
Rental Scooters
Companies like Lime and Bird carry liability insurance only in limited situations. The rental company’s coverage might apply if a brake failure or sudden throttle acceleration caused the crash. The driver’s auto insurance would typically cover your damages if a driver hit you.
Privately Owned Scooters
If you own your scooter, you won’t benefit from rental company insurance. Your claim depends on showing that someone else caused the crash. Insurance companies usually try to argue private scooters shouldn’t have been in the location where the crash occurred, even if your presence was legal.
Public Roads and City Property
If poor road conditions, broken pavement, or missing signage caused the crash, the City of New Rochelle may bear legal responsibility. Claims against the city follow a strict process, starting with a Notice of Claim that must be filed within 90 days.
Does Comparative Fault Impact Your E-Scooter Accident Compensation?
The liable party may try to shift part of the blame to you. However, even if you are partly to blame, you can still receive compensation. New York’s comparative fault rule reduces your compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Therefore, if you were 20% at fault because you rode in an area restricted for scooters, your final compensation would drop by 20%.
How a New Rochelle Electric Scooter Accident Attorney Investigates
With laws evolving and insurers eager to offload blame, it’s critical to work with New Rochelle scooter accident attorneys who understand the local roadways, the mix of laws governing e-scooters, and the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts.
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, our team starts each case by investigating the crash. This investigation can include:
- Pulling surveillance footage from nearby businesses;
- Tracking down witnesses who saw the crash firsthand;
- Reviewing maintenance records for rental scooters;
- Examining accident reports for any errors or biased assumptions; and
- Consulting doctors to document how the crash directly caused your injuries.
Since these crashes involve so many moving parts, our team works to document exactly how the crash happened and who bears legal responsibility.
Work with a New Rochelle Electric Scooter Injury Lawyer Who Knows Local Roads
The lawyers of Greenspan & Greenspan have spent over 30 years representing injured riders across Westchester County. We know the streets, the local regulations, and how insurance companies approach these cases. Whether you were hit near Iona University or knocked off your scooter downtown, we’ll work to hold the proper party accountable.
Contact our New Rochelle scooter accident law firm today to find out how we can help after an electric scooter crash.