Electric scooters have become a common sight in Hillsboro. They’re convenient, but they also come with real risks. Scooter riders don’t have the protection a car provides, so when an accident happens, the injuries can be serious. Even a low-speed crash can result in broken bones, head injuries, and weeks of painful recovery.
After a scooter accident, many riders are left overwhelmed. Medical bills start piling up, work may be missed, and it may be unclear who should be held responsible. Insurance companies may suggest the rider was at fault or try to minimize the extent of the injuries.
At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, our Hillsboro electric scooter accident lawyers can step in during this stressful time, handle the back-and-forth with insurers, and investigate who may be held liable for the crash. If you’ve recently been injured in an electric scooter accident in Hillsboro, contact us today at (503) 470-2439 to learn more about your legal options in a free consultation.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
Electric scooter accidents in Hillsboro happen for many of the same reasons as bicycle and pedestrian crashes. Here are some of the most common causes our lawyers have seen in our cases.
Driver Negligence
Like other types of motor vehicle accidents, many scooter crashes are caused by negligent drivers. Some common forms of negligence that put electric scooter riders at risk include:
- Failing to yield at intersections
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Even a momentary lapse can have serious consequences for someone on a scooter. Drivers who cause scooter accidents through negligence may be held liable for damages in a personal injury claim.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Scooters are far less forgiving than cars when it comes to road hazards. Common hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and poorly marked construction zones can easily throw a rider off balance and lead to an accident. Inadequate lighting or worn lane markings can also make it difficult for both riders and drivers to see each other clearly, which greatly increases the risk of a crash.
Scooter Malfunctions and Defects
Some scooter accidents are caused by defects or malfunctions in the scooter itself. These can lead to issues like brake failures, steering issues, or sudden power loss, all of which can cause an accident. In such cases, the scooter company or manufacturer could potentially be held liable.
Dooring and Parking-Related Accidents
Scooter riders are also vulnerable to “dooring” accidents, where a parked driver opens a car door directly into the rider’s path. Vehicles parked in bike lanes or partially blocking them can force riders into traffic, creating dangerous situations with little time to react.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Electric Scooter Accidents
Because electric scooters offer almost no physical protection, riders often suffer serious injuries when a crash occurs. Even when a scooter is traveling at relatively slow speeds, the force of a fall or collision with a vehicle or pavement can be enough to cause long-lasting harm.
Head injuries are among the most concerning outcomes of scooter accidents. Riders may suffer concussions or traumatic brain injuries, especially when a helmet is not worn or the impact involves a vehicle. Broken bones are also common, especially fractures to the wrists, arms, legs, and collarbones, as riders instinctively try to brace themselves during a fall.
Many scooter accident victims also suffer painful road rash, deep cuts, and soft tissue injuries that can lead to scarring or infection. More severe crashes may result in neck or spinal injuries, which can affect mobility and quality of life long after the accident. Internal injuries like organ damage or internal bleeding are another risk and may not be immediately obvious at the scene.
These injuries often require ongoing medical care, time away from work, rehabilitation, and other personal and financial difficulties. If you’ve been involved in a scooter accident, you should seek both medical and legal help as soon as possible.
Oregon Electric Scooter Laws and How They Affect Your Claim
Oregon has specific rules about how, where, and by whom electric scooters may be ridden. These laws matter in an accident claim because insurance companies and courts will look at whether a rider was following the law when the crash happened.
Where Electric Scooters Can Be Ridden
State law generally allows e-scooters to be operated in bike lanes, bike paths, and on public roads with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less. If a bike lane exists, riders should use it. However, e-scooters are prohibited on sidewalks and crosswalks under the ORS 814.524.
Speed and Equipment Rules
Oregon limits the maximum operating speed of electric scooters to 15 mph, even if the scooter is capable of going faster. Riders also must have proper lighting if they are riding when visibility is limited.
Age and Helmet Requirements
State law requires riders to be at least 16 years old to legally operate an electric scooter on public roads, bike lanes, or paths. Additionally, all e-scooter riders must wear a helmet.
License, Registration, and Other Rules
Electric scooters do not require a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or insurance to operate in Oregon. However, riders must obey traffic laws that apply to all other “vehicles” under the Oregon Vehicle Code, such as stopping at stop signs and yielding to pedestrians when appropriate.
Comparative Negligence in Oregon
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence system, which directly affects how compensation is handled after an electric scooter accident. This rule is found in ORS 31.600 and applies to most personal injury claims, including scooter crashes.
Under this law, an injured scooter rider can still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault, as long as their fault is deemed to be less than 50 percent. However, the rider’s total compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, if a rider is awarded $100,000 in damages but is found 25 percent responsible for the crash, their recovery would be reduced to $75,000.
Who May Be Liable for an Electric Scooter Accident?
One of the most important questions after an electric scooter accident is who can be held legally responsible. Liability is not always obvious at first. A thorough investigation is usually necessary to identify everyone who may be at fault.
Negligent Drivers
Negligent drivers of cars, trucks, rideshare vehicles, and delivery vans are frequently responsible for scooter accidents. When a driver’s negligence is to blame for a crash, their auto insurance policy is usually the primary source of compensation. Personal injury claims may also be filed to seek compensation in excess of the policy limit, or if the auto insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
Government Entities
Some scooter accidents are caused by unsafe road conditions rather than another vehicle. Government entities are responsible for keeping roadways safe and free of hazards that could cause accidents. If an accident was caused by poorly maintained or hazardous roadway conditions, a government agency may be liable. Claims against government entities are more complex and often involve special notice requirements.
Scooter Companies and Manufacturers
If an accident was caused by brake failure, steering problems, sudden power loss, or another mechanical issue, the company that owns, maintains, or manufactures the scooter may be at fault. Rental scooter companies may be liable for failing to properly inspect and maintain their equipment, while manufacturers may be responsible for dangerous design or production defects.
Property Owners
In some cases, accidents occur on private property, such as parking lots, apartment complexes, or commercial developments. If a property owner failed to address hazardous conditions, such as uneven surfaces or poor lighting, they may be held responsible under premises liability laws.
What Compensation Can an Injured Scooter Rider Recover?
Many injured electric scooter riders are left dealing with unexpected expenses, lost income, and long-term pain that disrupts their daily lives. When a scooter crash occurs due to someone else’s negligence, injured riders may pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Medical expenses are often the largest part of a scooter accident claim. This can include emergency room care, hospital stays, surgery, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and the cost of medications and medical equipment. If the injuries require ongoing treatment or future care, those anticipated costs may also be included in a claim.
Injured riders may also recover lost wages if they are unable to work during their recovery. When injuries lead to long-term limitations or prevent a return to the same type of work, compensation may be available for reduced earning capacity.
Beyond these financial losses, Oregon law recognizes the human impact of injuries. Compensation may be available for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
In fatal scooter accidents, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional loss of a loved one.
Discuss Your Case With a Hillsboro Electric Scooter Lawyer
If you were injured in an electric scooter accident in Hillsboro, you do not have to go through the legal process alone. An experienced scooter accident lawyer can protect your rights, handle the insurance companies, and help you pursue full compensation. Contact our Hillsboro electric scooter accident lawyers today at (503) 470-2439 to discuss your case in a free consultation.
