Electric Scooter Injury and Accident Liability
Las Vegas, Nevada
Electric scooter accidents
If you sustain a severe injury while riding an e-scooter that requires hospitalization and extensive medical treatment, it's crucial to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
We invite you to call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case. We don't charge for consultations.
What is an electric scooter?
The electric scooter or e-scooter is a plug-in electric vehicle with two or three wheels — the rechargeable battery of the electric scooter stores the electricity. Depending on the model, electric scooters can travel 10 to 15 miles on a single charge.
What are the rules of the road for electric scooters?
Many people think that rules don't exist for electric scooters, but this is not true.
In Nevada, electric scooter operation is governed by state laws and may be further regulated by local ordinances, which can vary by jurisdiction.
According to the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) § 484B.785, electric scooters are permitted to operate on:
1. Roadways, bicycle lanes, paths, or routes: at a speed not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
2. Sidewalks and other pedestrian areas: at a speed compliant with local ordinances.
However, the local governments in Nevada have the authority to create ordinances that may further regulate or restrict the use of electric scooters in specific areas.
Where can I park an electric scooter?
You may park an e-scooter in areas where it does not obstruct access to sidewalks, driveways, fire hydrants, or other essential services.
Also, if you rent an e-scooter, you should park the e-scooter in a designated area. Your app's map will show you where you can park your e-scooter at the end of the ride.
Can I ride an e-scooter in a public park in Clark County?
In Las Vegas, using electric scooters in public parks is generally prohibited. Clark County Parks and Recreation regulations state that motorized vehicles, including e-scooters, are not permitted off roadways or parking lots within parks - unless they have an explicit permit issued by the Director of Parks & Recreation or their designee.
In Henderson, the municipal code specifies that only authorized motorized vehicles and electric personal assistive mobility devices are permitted in parks, on park trails, pathways, or non-park areas. ( See Library Municode.)
Can I park my e-scooter at the hotel?
Many hotels on the Las Vegas Strip have specific policies regarding scooter parking. Contact the hotel directly for detailed information.
A helmet dilemma
Wearing a helmet is recommended, but helmets are not required in Las Vegas. Some electric scooter rental companies offer a free helmet for all active riders.
Why do electric scooter accidents happen?
1. The electric scooter rider should use a protected bike lane. However, in Las Vegas, bike lanes exist in very few places, and electric scooter riders share a road with other motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc.).
2. There is no frame protection from motor vehicles in case of a collision.
3. Electric scooters are not made to handle ill-equipped, aging, bombed-out city streets, and even a small pothole can cause accidents.
4. Occasionally, defective or malfunctioning scooters can create a problem.
Who is liable?
In Nevada, the at-fault party in a collision is financially responsible for the damages. The victim's attorney must prove that the other driver's inattentiveness, confusion, and recklessness caused an accident and then file a liability claim against the at-fault driver's insurance. Even if the victim is partially at fault, they may still be eligible for compensation under comparative negligence law. For more information, call us at 702-432-1000.
Common injuries
The most common injuries from electric scooter accidents include:
- Head and facial injuries,
- Fractures and broken bones,
- Spinal cord injuries.
In Feb. 2025, a man was critically injured in a Las Vegas crash involving a scooter.
In Aug. 2024, a person riding their scooter died from their injuries after getting hit by a vehicle in Henderson, NV.
In Sep. 2024, in Sacramento, CA, two women were killed in separate electric scooter accidents within the same week.
The report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows e-scooters continue to show increases in injuries, year-over-year, rising 22% in 2022 from 2021.
Do I need to have insurance to ride an electric scooter?
No, insurance is not required.
Can I buy insurance for an electric scooter?
Yes. Many insurance companies (Geico, Progressive) sell electric scooter insurance; it is part of motorcycle insurance and costs under $100 a year. However, the rider is not at fault in most collision accidents involving an electric scooter. The other vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle) is usually at fault.
Can I buy uninsured motorist coverage insurance for an e-scooter?
Yes. But it is very, very expensive.
Renting an e-scooter: What to know
If you are 18+ and have a valid driver's license, you can rent an e-scooter from Lyft Scooter, Bird, Lime, or other companies.
Can a minor rent an e-scooter?
Yes. For example, Lyft allows minors to rent an e-scooter. Still, a parent or a guardian must open a Lyft account for the minor to ensure that the minor's use of the Lyft platform is limited solely to accessing and using bike-share or e-scooter-share.
Will the e-scooter rental company provide insurance?
No. When you rent an e-scooter using the rental company app, you are signing an Operating Agreement that states that you are solely responsible for all injuries, damages, penalties, and attorney fees resulting from an accident.
What to do in case of an accident?
First, assess your condition and seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
Second, you must report any accident to the local police department within 24 hours and notify your e-scooter rental company.
Third, hire a personal injury attorney to represent you if you are injured. We invite you to call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
If you don't live in Las Vegas
When victims of e-scooter accidents live in other parts of the United States, they still most likely have valid legal claims. Although most states have different personal injury rules than Nevada, the legal claims will fall under Nevada rules because the accident happened in Nevada.
Visitors can receive medical treatment in their home city or state and still get compensated for medical bills and other damages. Our firm regularly represents non-residents who have sustained injuries while visiting Las Vegas.
We collect medical receipts and track the case's progress, from inception to settlement, from our office in Las Vegas. When we settle the case, we mail the settlement check to our clients.
We can help
As electric scooters have grown in popularity, accidents have also risen significantly. Call us to discuss your case if you got injured in an accident while riding a scooter, whether you rented an electric scooter or your own.
We don't charge for a consultation.
While nobody can reverse an unfortunate event of an accident, we can help you get money to pay for your medical bill and other damages. And if we can't help you, we will tell you so.
We take all electric scooter injury cases on a contingency basis. You only have to pay us if we recover your money.
To speak with a personal injury attorney about your electric scooter accident, call us at 702-432-1000.
We serve clients in Las Vegas and Nevada.
Also, we represent many tourists injured in an accident while in Las Vegas
Last updated on March 1, 2025.
