Queens Scooter Accident Attorney
Electric scooters have become a fixture on the streets of Queens. From Astoria and Jackson Heights to Jamaica and Flushing, riders weave through traffic, share bike lanes with cyclists, and navigate some of the busiest intersections in New York City. It’s a convenient way to get around, but it comes with real risk. When a scooter rider is struck by a car, doored by a parked vehicle, or sent airborne by a pothole, the injuries can be devastating.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a scooter accident in Queens, the attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers are ready to help. Our Queens scooter accident attorneys have spent decades fighting for injured New Yorkers, and we know how to build the kind of case that gets results, whether that means negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to trial.
Electric Scooter Accidents in Queens: What You Need to Know
New York City legalized electric scooters for use in the outer boroughs in 2020, and the number of riders has grown steadily since. Queens, with its wide avenues, dense residential neighborhoods, and heavy delivery traffic, has seen a corresponding increase in scooter accidents.
Electric scooters present a unique risk profile. They travel faster than bicycles, offer no protection in a crash, and are often harder for drivers to spot in traffic. At the same time, New York’s roads weren’t built with scooters in mind, and riders frequently have to choose between dangerous intersections, crumbling pavement, and car doors swinging open without warning.
The legal landscape for scooter accidents is also relatively new and still developing. Insurance coverage questions, liability determinations, and the application of New York’s comparative negligence rules can all be more complicated in scooter cases than in standard car accident claims. That’s why it matters to work with a Queens electric scooter accident lawyer who handles these cases regularly and understands the specific rules that apply.
Common Causes of e-Scooter Accidents in Queens
Our Queens scooter accident attorneys have handled cases arising from a wide range of circumstances, including:
- Driver negligence. Cars and trucks that fail to yield, run red lights, make sudden turns, or simply don’t see a scooter rider are the most common cause of serious scooter injuries.
- Dooring accidents. A parked driver opening their car door into the path of an oncoming scooter rider can cause a sudden, severe collision with no time to react.
- Dangerous road conditions. Potholes, broken asphalt, unmarked construction hazards, and poorly maintained surfaces are particularly dangerous for scooter riders, who have small wheels and no suspension.
- Defective scooter equipment. Brake failures, battery issues, or other mechanical defects, whether on a privately owned scooter or a shared rental unit, can cause serious accidents.
- Rental company negligence. Scooter-share operators have a duty to properly maintain their fleet. When they fail to do so, injured riders may have a claim against the company.
- Reckless riding by another party. When another scooter rider or cyclist causes a collision through careless or aggressive behavior, they can be held liable for resulting injuries.
Serious Injuries We Handle for Electric Scooter Accident Victims
Scooter riders have no seatbelt, no airbag, and very little between them and the pavement or a vehicle’s bumper. The injuries that result from Queens scooter accidents are often serious, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken arms, wrists, hands, and legs
- Road rash and deep lacerations
- Facial fractures and dental injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Internal injuries
Even accidents that seem minor at first can result in long-term complications, chronic pain, or symptoms that don’t fully emerge until days after the crash. If you’ve been hurt, it’s important to seek medical attention right away and to speak with a Queens electric scooter accident lawyer before making any statements to an insurance company.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Queens Scooter Accident? 
One of the most important steps in any scooter accident case is identifying all potentially liable parties. Depending on the facts of your accident, responsibility may lie with:
- The driver of the vehicle that struck you
- The owner of the vehicle, if different from the driver
- The City of New York, if a dangerous road condition contributed to the crash
- A property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions near a public way
- A scooter manufacturer, if a product defect caused or contributed to the accident
- A scooter rental company, if poor maintenance put a dangerous vehicle on the road
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies will often try to inflate your share of the blame to reduce what they owe you. An experienced Queens scooter accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers will push back on those tactics and fight for the full value of your claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Scooter Accident Claim?
Victims of electric scooter accidents in Queens may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage to your scooter or other belongings
In cases involving a fatality, surviving family members may also have a wrongful death claim for loss of financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of companionship and guidance.
How Jacoby & Meyers Handles Scooter Accident Cases Involving e-Scooter Injuries
Electric scooter accident claims require prompt action. Evidence fades quickly, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses become harder to locate. As soon as you contact our office, we get to work.
Our Queens electric scooter accident lawyers will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene and circumstances
- Obtain police reports, witness statements, and available video footage
- Identify all liable parties, including those that may not be immediately obvious
- Gather medical records and work with experts to document the full extent of your injuries
- Handle all communications with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to
- Build a comprehensive damages picture that accounts for both current and future losses
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, and take your case to court if the insurer won’t pay what you deserve
Insurance companies, whether representing a careless driver or a large scooter-share corporation, are focused on minimizing payouts. Our scooter accident law firm is focused on maximizing them. We’ve been doing this for more than 50 years, and we know the difference between a lowball offer and a fair recovery.
Queens Scooter Accident FAQ
Here are some of the questions we receive most often from people involved in scooter accidents in Queens.
Is Riding an Electric Scooter Legal in Queens?
Yes. New York City legalized electric scooters in the outer boroughs in 2020. Riders must be at least 16 years old, follow posted speed limits, and ride in bike lanes or on streets with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. Helmets are required for riders under 18.
Regardless of whether either party was following the rules, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may still have a valid claim.
What if I Was Riding a Rental Scooter When I Was Injured?
Your claim still exists. Depending on how the accident happened, you may have a claim against the driver who hit you, the rental company, or both. Our attorneys will review the facts and identify the right parties to pursue.
What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
New York’s comparative negligence rules mean that not wearing a helmet may affect your recovery, but it does not bar you from pursuing a claim. An experienced Queens scooter accident attorney can help you navigate that argument and minimize any impact on your compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In most cases, New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against the City of New York require a Notice of Claim to be filed within 90 days, making it especially important to contact an attorney quickly if a road defect or city vehicle was involved.
Queens Scooter Accident Lawyer, Andrew Finkelstein
Contact a Queens Scooter Accident Lawyer Today
A scooter accident can upend your life in an instant. Medical bills pile up, you may be unable to work, and you’re dealing with pain and uncertainty while an insurance company looks for reasons to deny or reduce your claim.
Jacoby & Meyers has been standing up for injured New Yorkers for over 50 years. Our Queens electric scooter accident lawyers handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
You can reach our team by phone or contact us online. We serve clients throughout Queens and across New York City, and we’re available when you need us.