Ohio has seen a growing number of electric scooters on streets and sidewalks. With businesses starting to reopen and people looking for more outdoor activities, electric scooters seem like a fun way to get around.
But it’s also important to be cautious when riding an E-scooter. Scooters are hard for cars to see and riders can also easily lose control upon hitting debris, uneven pavement, or when making a sharp turn. From Cleveland to Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio has seen an increase in scooter accidents. So be sure to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with a history of getting results in accidents involving electric scooters if you or a loved one are hurt.
To discuss your rights and options after an electric scooter accident, contact Kisling, Nestico & Redick to speak with one of our Ohio injury attorneys. If you have been hurt through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. Call 1-800-HURT-NOW today for a free consultation.
What Ohio Law Says About E-Scooters
Under Ohio law, most rental and personal e-scooters are considered “low-speed micromobility devices.” State statute allows them on roads, shared-use paths, and sidewalks, but cities and counties may restrict or ban sidewalk riding or set local rules (for example, downtown business districts). Riders must generally follow bicycle-style traffic rules, and devices are limited to 20 mph max under the statutory definition. Riders renting devices must be 16+ per state guidance.
Examples of local e-scooter regulation:
- Columbus has enacted rules for shared e-scooters (including sidewalk restrictions in certain areas and late-night pauses during pilot periods).
- Cleveland has similarly regulated sidewalk riding and parking to reduce pedestrian conflicts.
Recent Ohio E-Scooter Incidents
- Columbus (Aug. 5, 2025): Two riders were struck in a hit-skip crash; one suffered serious injuries. Police are seeking the driver.
- Clark County (Aug. 2025): Two juveniles on an e-scooter reportedly failed to yield at a stop sign and were hit by an SUV, causing injuries.
- Cleveland (Aug. 2018): A 21-year-old woman was killed while riding a scooter downtown, prompting early city regulation.
National/health data also show high injury rates for e-scooters, particularly head injuries, fractures, and lacerations, with helmet use uncommon.
What Are the Common Causes of E-Scooter Crashes in Ohio?
- Driver inattention or failure to yield (turning across bike lanes, running lights, dooring).
- Surface hazards (potholes, rails, debris, uneven pavement) that small wheels can’t absorb.
- Speed mismatch/mixing with traffic on high-speed corridors (roads over 35 mph are risky even if riding on the shoulder).
- Rental/maintenance issues (loose stems, brake failures), or manufacturing defects.
- Rider error (no signaling, sidewalk conflicts where prohibited, impairment).
Common E-Scooter Injuries Our Attorneys See
- Fractures & Deep Lacerations (wrist, forearm, clavicle, facial bones) — Small wheels plus sudden stops often send riders over the bars, leading to FOOSH-type wrist/forearm breaks, collarbone fractures, and facial/orbital injuries. Deep cuts may require sutures or plastics consults and can leave visible scarring. Document with ER records, imaging, and follow-up photos over time.
- Head Injuries (Concussion/MTBI) — Loss of consciousness isn’t required—look for headache, dizziness, nausea, light/noise sensitivity, or concentration/memory issues. Helmets reduce risk but many riders go without. Seek prompt evaluation; keep return-to-work/school notes, neuro/cognitive testing, and symptom journals.
- Soft-Tissue & Spinal Injuries (neck/back strains, disc involvement) — Acceleration–deceleration forces and awkward landings strain cervical/lumbar muscles and ligaments; some cases involve disc bulges/herniations with radiating arm/leg pain. Treatment often includes PT, meds, and activity modification; save therapy notes, restrictions, and MRI reports if ordered.
- Road Rash & Contusions — Sliding across pavement causes abrasions that can scar or become infected; bruising may mask deeper trauma. Photograph wounds at each stage, keep dressing/clinic records, and track pain levels and functional limits (sleeping, driving, lifting).
What To Do After an E-Scooter Accident (Step-By-Step)
- Get Safe & Call 911 — Move out of traffic if you can. Request police and EMS. Ask for the officer’s name and your Ohio Crash Report number.
- Get Medical Care Now — Some injuries (concussion, internal bleeding, neck/back trauma) show up hours later. Follow the treatment plan and keep every record (ER notes, imaging, prescriptions, PT).
- Document the Scene — Take wide and close photos/video of: your injuries, the scooter (ID/QR), vehicles involved, lane markings, debris, road defects (potholes/rails), lighting, signs, and skid marks. If it’s a hit-and-run, note the vehicle’s make/model/color, plate, and direction of travel.
- Capture Your App Data — Screenshot the ride ID, start/stop times, route map/GPS, receipt, and any in-app incident report. Don’t end/return the device until you’ve documented it.
- Preserve the Scooter (If Possible) — Photograph serial/QR labels and any visible damage. If it’s a rental, note the fleet number and where it was left. If privately owned, don’t repair or dispose of it until an attorney advises—it’s evidence.
- Collect Information — Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance details, and driver’s license info. Get witness names and contacts. Ask nearby businesses or homes about camera footage.
- Report Locally (When Required) — File a police report and, if the crash involved a premises hazard (parking lot, construction), ask the property manager for an incident report.
- Notify Insurers—Carefully — Inform your insurer, but avoid recorded statements or signing medical releases for the other party before legal advice. Don’t discuss fault at the scene or online.
- Track Costs & Symptoms — Save bills and receipts (medical, meds, mileage, devices). Keep a daily journal of pain levels, sleep issues, missed work, and activity limits.
- Check Coverage Options — Depending on fault, recovery may come from a driver’s auto policy, the scooter company (defect/maintenance), a property owner, a public entity (road defect), or your own UM/UIM benefits.
- Call KNR Early — We secure app logs, maintenance records, and video before they disappear, handle the insurers, and build your claim while you focus on healing.
Steps To Keep You Safe When On A Scooter
Stay alert while riding an e-scooter. Unfortunately, collisions or falls often happen suddenly, and many victims don’t have a chance to react. In addition, drivers are generally not looking out for scooters. It’s easy to be caught off guard by scooters that quickly dart into lanes, driveways, or parking lots.
Measures that reduce the likelihood of a scooter accident include:
- Wear a helmet — While Ohio law does not require helmets or other protective equipment when riding a scooter, a helmet can help prevent serious brain injury in the event of an accident.
- Avoid loose clothing — Loose-fitting clothes can get stuck in your scooter’s wheels or cause you to trip on the narrow scooter deck. This includes long and loose-fitting dresses and sandals.
- Slow down at turns and near corners — Not only can your scooter slide if you turn too fast, but turns can suddenly put you in the path of a motor vehicle. Stop and look both ways when exiting an alley, parking lot, or driveway.
- Avoid busy sidewalks — Collisions with pedestrians frequently happen when scooters are driven on the sidewalk. Many Ohio municipalities have even banned scooters on sidewalks.
- Stop at lights & stop signs — Many scooter riders simply yield or cruise through red lights or stop signs. You are required to follow the rules of the road when riding a scooter.
- Using a scooter on the sidewalk — Many towns and cities have banned riding scooters on sidewalks. Cincinnati, for example, has prohibited sidewalk riding in certain areas due to pedestrian collision concerns.
- Control your speed — Many scooters can travel at speeds over 20 mph, which is very fast in parking lots or alleyways.
Who Can Be Liable for an E-Scooter Accident in Ohio?
Liability turns on negligence—duty, breach, causation, and damages—and more than one party can share fault. Here are the most common defendants we pursue in Ohio e-scooter cases:
- Negligent Motorists — Unsafe turns, failure to yield at driveways/intersections, dooring, speeding, distraction, or impairment. Their auto liability insurance is usually the first source of recovery.
- Scooter/Rental Companies & Manufacturers — Claims may involve defective design or components, negligent maintenance, faulty brakes/steering, bad stems/folding mechanisms, or inadequate warnings. Evidence includes maintenance logs, telematics/ride data, firmware, and deployment records.
- Property & Business Owners (Premises Liability) — Dangerous conditions in parking lots, access drives, and private roadways—loose gravel, unmarked hazards, poor lighting, potholes, construction debris, or mismanaged work zones.
- Public Entities (Roadway Defects/Traffic Control) — Severe pavement defects, unsafe grates/rails, missing signage, or signal malfunctions. These claims are complex due to governmental immunity and strict notice rules, so fast investigation is critical.
- Other Third Parties — Contractors who create hazards, rideshare/bike riders who collide with you, or even dog owners whose animals cause a fall.
- The Rider (Comparative Fault) — Ohio follows modified comparative negligence: you can recover so long as you’re 50% or less at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault; over 50% bars recovery. Allegations might include sidewalk riding where locally prohibited, failure to yield, excessive speed for conditions, or device misuse. A strong evidentiary record helps neutralize blame-shifting.
Ohio Electric Scooter Accident FAQs
Are E-Scooters Legal on Sidewalks in Ohio?
State law allows low-speed micromobility devices (like most e-scooters) on public streets, shared-use paths, and sidewalks, but cities/counties may restrict or prohibit sidewalk riding in certain areas. Always check local rules before you ride.
Who Pays After an E-Scooter Crash?
It depends on fault. The at-fault driver’s auto insurer, a scooter/rental company (for defects/maintenance failures), a property owner (unsafe premises), or a public entity (roadway defect) may be responsible. If multiple parties share blame, Ohio’s comparative negligence law applies.
What Should I Save From the Rental App?
Screenshot the ride ID, start/stop times, route map/GPS, payment receipt, and any in-app incident report. These help prove timing, location, and device identity and can be critical if the scooter’s condition or logs are disputed.
Do I Need a Helmet by Law?
Ohio doesn’t mandate helmets for adult e-scooter riders at the state level, but they’re strongly recommended due to high rates of head injury in scooter studies. Some localities or rental agreements may impose helmet rules.
How Common Are E-Scooter Accidents?
Ohio agencies and media have documented rising scooter incidents, including an Aug. 5, 2025 hit-skip in Columbus injuring two riders and a 2018 fatal crash in downtown Cleveland. National public-health studies also report frequent fractures and head injuries among scooter riders.
Can I Still Recover If I Was Partly at Fault?
Usually yes—if you’re 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% at fault, recovery is barred under Ohio’s modified comparative negligence statute.
Contact Kisling, Nestico & Redick After An Accident
Scooters offer a convenient and fun way to travel around town, and they are becoming more and more popular in Ohio. Be sure to make safety a priority if you or your child use one of these vehicles. Accidents are all too common, and injuries from a scooter wreck can be severe.
If you are hurt in one of these collisions, do not delay in contacting a scooter accident lawyer at KNR. It’s important to understand your rights, and to secure all of the compensation you deserve.
Ohio’s two year statute of limitations law requires your claim to be filed within two years or else you may be unable to recover. Your case may be complex, and we strongly encourage you to speak with your lawyer as soon as possible.
To discuss a possible scooter accident claim with an experienced Ohio personal injury lawyer, call Kisling, Nestico & Redick today at 1-800-HURT-NOW. We have 11 offices throughout Ohio, offer free consultations, and there are no fees unless you recover compensation.
