Bottom Line Up Front: Electric scooter accidents are surging nationwide, with Phoenix experiencing its share of this troubling trend. While these convenient devices offer an eco-friendly transportation option, they’re also leading to serious injuries, complicated insurance issues, and legal challenges that every rider should understand before stepping onto one.
If you’ve wandered through downtown Phoenix lately, you’ve probably noticed them everywhere – electric scooters lined up on sidewalks, zipping through bike lanes, and scattered around popular destinations. What started as a transportation experiment has become a fixture of urban life in the Valley. But behind the convenience and fun lies a growing safety crisis that’s affecting riders, pedestrians, and drivers alike.
The numbers tell a sobering story. According to recent federal data, e-scooter injuries continue to show increases year-over-year, rising 22% in 2022 from 2021, while another comprehensive study found that e-scooter injuries rose by 45 percent each year from 2017 to 2022. This isn’t just a minor uptick – we’re looking at a dramatic surge in scooter-related injuries that’s putting thousands of people in emergency rooms across the country.
The Phoenix Scooter Scene: A Brief History
Phoenix hasn’t always been scooter-friendly. Phoenix began its six-month e-scooter pilot program on Monday in September 2019, with companies like Bird, Lime, and Spin deploying hundreds of devices throughout the downtown area. The city required companies to use geofencing technology to ensure riders parked in designated zones, though neither Lime nor Bird scooters are requiring riders to park in one of downtown’s 400 designated parking zones, as the city requires during the early days of the program.
While Lime is pulling its scooters and bikes out of the state as of early 2020, citing profitability concerns, other companies have continued operating. The rapid proliferation of these devices caught many cities off guard, and Phoenix was no exception.
The Alarming National Trend
Before diving into Phoenix-specific concerns, it’s crucial to understand the scope of the national scooter safety crisis. The data is frankly alarming:
Nationwide Injury Statistics:
- Scooter-related injuries increased by 222% between 2014 and 2018
- 14,651 reported scooter injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2019
- All micromobility products, including e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards, resulted in more than 90,000 estimated emergency visits from related accidents in 2022
- Approximately 60,000 scooter-related injuries occurred in 2024
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s data shows that there were an estimated 50,000 emergency department visits associated with e-scooter accidents in 2022, an increase from just over 40,000 the previous year and approximately 25,000 in 2020.
Fatality Concerns: The situation becomes even more serious when looking at fatalities. At least 29 fatalities resulted from e-scooter accidents since 2018, and E-Scooter accidents increased from 1 in 2017 to 41 in 2023 according to federal tracking data.
Common Types of Scooter Injuries
Understanding what injuries typically occur in scooter accidents can help riders make more informed decisions about safety gear and riding behavior. The medical data reveals several concerning patterns:
Head Injuries Dominate Head trauma represents the most serious category of scooter injuries. Nearly half of the 271 scooter-related injuries in the study were head injuries, and 15 percent were traumatic brain injuries according to Austin-based research. A separate UCLA study found that 40 percent of 249 injuries to scooter riders were head injuries.
What makes this particularly troubling is helmet usage rates. A Tampa study discovered that while 40.8% of injured riders had head injuries, only 2.1% were wearing helmets when they crashed, while only 4% of the 249 people treated in UCLA emergency departments for scooter injuries between September 1, 2017, and August 31, 2018, wore helmets.
The “E-Scooter Tib-Fib Special” Personal injury attorneys have noticed certain injury patterns so frequently they’ve given them names. The tib-fib special occurs when a rider, traveling at a high rate of speed, puts one foot down on the ground to try to stop (aka, the “Fred Flintstone stop”) causing the tibia and fibula to snap.
Other Common Injuries Include:
- Almost 15% of reported injuries from scooter accidents were broken bones
- Broken jaws and teeth (when the rider goes flying over the handlebars)
- Upper extremity fractures
- Internal injuries
- Head injuries ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries
What Makes Scooters So Dangerous?
Several factors contribute to the high injury rates associated with electric scooters:
Speed and Control Issues While companies claim their scooters top out around 15 mph, they can easily exceed this if the rider is pushing off the pavement at top speed. For comparison, an e-scooter rider traveling down a sidewalk at top speed has the potential to be going faster than an Olympic sprinter.
Lack of Protection Unlike motorcycles or even bicycles, scooters offer virtually no protection in a crash. Scooter riders and pedestrians are much less protected from collisions than passengers in a vehicle like a car.
Inexperienced Riders There is no required training to operate e-scooters prior to their use, meaning many people hop on without understanding how to safely operate the device or navigate traffic.
Infrastructure Mismatch Most city infrastructure wasn’t designed with scooters in mind. Riders often find themselves navigating between sidewalks (where they might hit pedestrians) and roads (where they’re vulnerable to cars).
Arizona’s Legal Landscape for Scooters
Understanding Arizona’s laws regarding electric scooters is crucial for both safety and legal protection. The state has specific regulations that classify different types of scooters:
Electric Standup Scooters An electric scooter that weighs less than 75 pounds, has handlebars and an electric motor, and can go no faster than 25 miles per hour is considered an “electric standup scooter.” It’s considered an “electric miniature scooter” if it weighs less than 30 pounds with a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour. Both of these devices are subject to the same regulations as bicycles and e-bikes: You don’t need a license or registration to ride one, and insurance isn’t required either.
This classification includes the rental scooters from companies like Bird and Spin that operate in Phoenix.
Helmet Requirements Arizona’s helmet laws for scooters mirror those for motorcycles: All riders, either operator or passenger who is under 18 years of age, must wear a protective helmet that is secured while riding an ATV, motorcycle, scooter and most other small vehicles. However, adults are not legally required to wear helmets.
Traffic Rules Under Florida state law, for instance, any scooter with a maximum speed of 20 MPH or less is treated the same as a bicycle, and similar principles apply in Arizona. This means riders are generally expected to follow bicycle traffic laws.
The Insurance Nightmare: Who Pays When Things Go Wrong?
One of the most complicated aspects of scooter accidents involves determining who’s responsible for injuries and damages. The insurance landscape is murky at best:
Limited Coverage Options Automobile insurance will not usually provide any liability coverage when operating an electric scooter, since it doesn’t usually apply to vehicles with fewer than four wheels. This leaves many riders without coverage if they cause injuries to others.
Health Insurance Limitations While health insurance can help cover the costs of your medical bills if you’re injured in an accident, it may not cover all expenses, and riders might find themselves responsible for significant out-of-pocket costs.
Company Liability Waivers Riders must agree to a user agreement which includes draconian clauses designed to insulate the scooter companies from liability. These agreements often include forced arbitration clauses that make pursuing legal action more difficult.
It’s common for companies that manufacture electric scooters, or rent them to the public, to include notices that they aren’t responsible for accidents that happen while people are using their products. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to recover damages from one of these companies, but it can make it much more difficult.
Recent Legal Developments and Lawsuits
The surge in scooter injuries has led to significant legal action across the country. Some notable developments include:
Mass Tort Litigation Our firm represents many riders in a mass tort against Lime e-scooter company. We are in the process of mediating these claims and so far, have been successful in resolving some of them.
Bird’s Bankruptcy Bird Rides, Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2023. As a result, the lawsuits against Bird are currently stayed, complicating recovery efforts for injured riders.
Product Liability Claims Perhaps the most high-profile case was filed in October, when Bird and Lime, along with two manufacturers of the vehicles they use, Segway and Xiaomi, became the subject of a putative class action suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Nine plaintiffs accused the companies of ‘indiscriminate, negligent, grossly negligent and/or unlawful “deployment” … of fleets of defective’ scooters in the city.
Phoenix’s Unique Challenges
Phoenix presents specific challenges for scooter safety that riders should understand:
High-Risk Traffic Environment Phoenix has a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities for vehicle accidents. Phoenix recorded 36,927 total crashes, making it by far the most crash-prone city in the state according to Motor Vehicle Crash Facts for the State of Arizona, 2023. That includes 298 fatal collisions and nearly 15,000 reported injuries.
This high-accident environment makes scooter riding particularly risky, as riders must navigate roads shared with distracted and aggressive drivers.
Infrastructure Concerns Phoenix’s sprawling urban design and wide roads present unique challenges for scooter riders. The city’s infrastructure was primarily designed for cars, leaving limited safe spaces for alternative transportation.
Weather Considerations While Phoenix’s generally favorable weather makes year-round riding appealing, dust storms and monsoon conditions can create dangerous riding situations that many visitors and new residents might not anticipate.
Safety Recommendations for Phoenix Riders
Given the risks involved, here are essential safety recommendations for anyone considering scooter use in Phoenix:
Always Wear a Helmet Despite not being legally required for adults, helmet use is crucial. Interestingly, before Bird entered the shared e-scooter market, California law required that e-scooter riders wear helmets. But in a move that would prove calamitous for riders, Bird convinced a California state legislator to sponsor a bill which became a law, removing the helmet requirement for adults.
The medical evidence is clear: helmets save lives and prevent traumatic brain injuries.
Understand Your Insurance Coverage Before riding, understand what insurance coverage you have and what you don’t. Consider whether your health insurance covers scooter-related injuries and whether you need additional coverage.
Follow Traffic Laws You can stay safer, and also preserve your legal options, by making sure you follow state and local laws for e-scooters. This includes understanding where you can and cannot ride.
Inspect Equipment Always perform a safety check before riding. Look for obvious damage, test the brakes, and ensure the scooter is functioning properly.
Avoid Risky Situations Don’t ride under the influence, avoid riding in groups, and stay alert to your surroundings. Most accidents occurred on weekends and at night, often linked to alcohol consumption.
What to Do After a Scooter Accident
If you’re involved in a scooter accident in Phoenix, taking the right steps immediately can protect both your health and legal interests:
Immediate Steps:
- Seek medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries
- Document the scene with photos
- Get contact information from any witnesses
- Report the accident to police if required
- Contact your insurance company
- Keep all medical records and receipts
Legal Considerations An e-scooter company will be looking for ways to show that you were the one responsible for your own injuries, so having proper documentation becomes crucial.
Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney, especially if:
- You suffered serious injuries
- Another party was involved
- There are questions about equipment malfunction
- Insurance coverage is disputed
The Future of Scooter Safety in Phoenix
As scooter use continues to grow in Phoenix, several developments may improve safety:
Regulatory Changes Cities across the country are implementing stricter regulations, including mandatory safety training, enhanced parking requirements, and improved infrastructure designed specifically for micromobility devices.
Technology Improvements Companies are developing better safety features, including improved braking systems, stability controls, and mandatory helmet detection technology.
Infrastructure Development Phoenix and other cities are slowly adapting their infrastructure to better accommodate scooters and other alternative transportation methods.
Making Smart Decisions About Scooter Use
Electric scooters offer undeniable convenience and can be an enjoyable way to navigate Phoenix’s urban core. However, the dramatic increase in injuries and the complex legal landscape surrounding these devices demand that riders approach them with caution and awareness.
The key is making informed decisions. Understand the risks, know the laws, wear appropriate safety gear, and consider your insurance coverage before you ride. If you do choose to use a scooter, treat it with the same level of caution you’d apply to any motor vehicle.
Remember, while the law may not require adults to wear helmets in Arizona, the medical evidence overwhelmingly shows that helmets prevent serious injuries and save lives. The few seconds it takes to put on a helmet could prevent a lifetime of medical complications and financial hardship.
The Bottom Line
Scooter accidents are indeed skyrocketing, both in Phoenix and nationwide. While these devices offer convenience and environmental benefits, they also present serious safety risks that every potential rider should understand. By staying informed about the laws, understanding the insurance implications, taking appropriate safety precautions, and knowing what to do if an accident occurs, riders can make better decisions about whether and how to use these increasingly popular devices.
If you’ve been injured in a scooter accident in Phoenix, don’t navigate the complex legal and insurance landscape alone. The experienced attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm understand the unique challenges these cases present and are here to help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
