Table of contents
- Why Choose for Your E-Scooter Accident Claim
- Understanding E-Scooter Accident Liability in Aurora
- Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents in Aurora
- Types of Injuries from E-Scooter Collisions
- Damages You Can Recover After an E-Scooter Accident
- Steps to Take After Your E-Scooter Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions About E-Scooter Accidents
- Contact for Your Free Consultation
- Related Posts
E-scooter accidents in Aurora are becoming more common as riders travel on busy streets and uneven sidewalks. When you’re injured in an e-scooter accident, determining who may bear legal responsibility is crucial to seeking compensation for your injuries and losses. Matlin Injury Law helps Aurora residents understand potential liability in e-scooter accidents and pursue claims against responsible parties.
Why Choose Matlin Injury Law for Your E-Scooter Accident Claim
Matlin Injury Law handles personal injury cases throughout Colorado, including claims arising from e-scooter accidents. Our attorneys are familiar with how these incidents occur and how Colorado law applies to riders, drivers, landowners, and other parties. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you typically owe no legal fees unless we obtain a recovery for you, as outlined in your fee agreement. Our team can take on communication with insurance companies and opposing counsel so you can focus on your medical recovery. We have helped clients seek damages for injuries allegedly caused by negligent conduct and unsafe products. Our Aurora personal injury lawyers bring extensive experience with emerging injury types and novel liability theories.
Understanding E-Scooter Accident Liability in Aurora
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
E-scooter accidents can involve multiple parties. Depending on the facts, the scooter company or operator permitted to operate in Aurora may bear responsibility if the scooter was defective or not properly maintained. A motor vehicle driver, cyclist, or pedestrian can be held liable if their negligence contributed to your accident.
Property owners may face liability for hazardous conditions on private property or sidewalks they control under Colorado’s Premises Liability Act (C.R.S. § 13-21-115). Manufacturers can be responsible if a defect in the scooter or its components caused your injury. Understanding premises liability principles is essential for identifying all responsible parties.
Determining liability usually requires a thorough investigation of the accident circumstances. An attorney may examine maintenance records, scooter condition, roadway conditions, and witness statements to identify all potentially responsible parties. In some cases, multiple parties may share liability, and you may be able to pursue recovery from more than one source. This is why catastrophic injury cases often involve complex liability analysis.
Colorado’s Comparative Fault Law
Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-111 establishes comparative fault rules for personal injury cases. Under this law, even if you were partially at fault for your accident, you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 50%. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your total damages equal $10,000, you could recover $8,000. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages.
Colorado courts assign fault percentages based on each party’s contribution to the accident. An attorney can work to present evidence that fairly reflects what happened, seek to minimize your assigned fault, and highlight the responsibility of other parties, which directly impacts the compensation you may receive. Learn more about modified comparative negligence in Colorado.
Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents in Aurora
E-scooter accidents happen for many reasons. Defective or poorly maintained scooters can fail riders when brakes malfunction or wheels break. Uneven sidewalks, potholes, loose gravel, and debris create hazards that cause riders to lose control. Inadequate warnings or instructions may leave riders unprepared for safe operation.
Operator behavior also plays a role. Riding while distracted, failing to obey traffic signals, or operating at unsafe speeds can contribute to accidents. Inexperienced riders may lack the skills to navigate traffic or roadway conditions safely. Understanding the causes of accidents helps establish liability.
Examples of contributing factors include:
- Defective brakes or wheels
- Uneven pavement and road hazards
- Missing or unclear safety warnings
- Riding behavior that disregards traffic rules
- Limited rider experience
Types of Injuries from E-Scooter Collisions
E-scooter accidents can cause serious injuries. Head and brain injuries may range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries. Fractures and broken bones can affect the arms, legs, wrists, and ankles. Road rash—abrasions from sliding across pavement—can result in painful soft tissue damage. Spinal injuries may lead to significant mobility issues, and facial or dental injuries can occur when riders strike the ground or nearby objects.
These injuries often require emergency medical care, possible surgery, and extended rehabilitation. Some injuries can result in lasting complications that affect your ability to work and participate in daily activities. Documenting all injuries and medical treatment is essential for supporting your claim. Understanding types of damages available for these injuries is important.
Examples of injury types include:
- Head and brain injuries (including concussions and TBI)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Road rash and abrasions
- Spinal injuries
- Facial and dental trauma
Damages You Can Recover After an E-Scooter Accident
Colorado law allows injured people to seek several types of damages in a personal injury claim. Medical expenses can cover emergency care, hospital treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical needs. Lost wages compensate you for income missed while recovering. Lost earning capacity applies when injuries affect your ability to earn at your previous level.
Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress may be available, subject to Colorado’s statutory caps where applicable. Property damage can cover the costs to repair or replace damaged belongings, such as a phone, backpack, or other items involved in the crash.
Calculating total damages requires careful documentation of all expenses and losses. Medical records, pay stubs, and, where appropriate, expert analysis can help support your damage claims. An attorney can help ensure that all recoverable damages are considered in your case. Understanding economic damages versus non-economic damages is critical for claim valuation.
Examples of potential damages include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Steps to Take After Your E-Scooter Accident
Immediate Actions at the Scene
Your first priority is safety. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine—some injuries appear hours or days later. Document the scene by taking photos or video of the scooter, your injuries, road conditions, and any hazards. Obtain contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident. Report the incident to the scooter company through their app or website if applicable.
If possible, preserve the scooter or note its identifying information, as it may contain evidence of defects or maintenance issues. Record the exact location and time of the accident and write down your own account of what happened while details are still fresh. Our guide on what to do after a car accident provides additional steps that apply to many accident scenarios.
Legal Steps to Protect Your Claim
Preserve all evidence related to your accident. Keep medical records, bills, and receipts. Document your recovery process and any ongoing symptoms. Take photos of your injuries over time. Contact an attorney experienced with e-scooter or similar accident claims as soon as possible. Legal counsel can help protect your rights and manage communications with insurance companies and other parties.
Avoid posting about your accident on social media, as those posts can be used against you. Do not accept settlement offers without consulting an attorney, as early offers may be lower than the full value of your claim. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf and advise you about whether a settlement reasonably reflects your losses. Learn more about how personal injury lawyers get paid on a contingency basis.
Frequently Asked Questions About E-Scooter Accidents
How long do I have to file a claim in Colorado?
Colorado’s general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of your accident under C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a), unless the claim arises out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle, which is subject to a three-year period under C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n). Many e-scooter claims fall under the two-year tort limitations period. Because these deadlines are strict, missing them can result in losing the right to recover damages. Contact an attorney promptly to ensure your claim is filed on time and properly categorized.
Can I sue the scooter company directly?
In some situations, you may have a claim against the scooter company if its negligence contributed to your accident—for example, through inadequate maintenance, missing safety warnings, or defective equipment. You may also have claims against other responsible parties, such as property owners, drivers, or manufacturers. An attorney can evaluate the facts and advise you on which parties may be legally responsible. Understanding product liability principles can help identify all potential defendants.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Colorado’s comparative fault law allows you to seek recovery even if you were partially responsible, as long as your share of fault is less than 50%. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. Any compensation you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can help present your case, address allegations of rider fault, and work to keep your assigned percentage as low as the evidence reasonably supports.
Contact Matlin Injury Law for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident in Aurora, consider speaking with an attorney about your options. Matlin Injury Law offers free consultations to discuss your case and explain potential paths forward. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which generally means you owe no legal fees unless we obtain a recovery for you, as described in your written fee agreement. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Call (303) 487-8911 today.
