Colorado Electric Scooter Accidents

Colorado Electric Scooter Laws

Denver is working to make e-scooters safer for everyone. Right now, the city regulates these conveyances through vendor contracts, but stricter rules could roll out in 2026. If passed, these regulations would require sidewalk-detection technology, GPS alerts for unsafe riding, and designated parking spots to help reduce injuries and sidewalk clutter.

Following a serious accident in 2019, the city enforced a special rule around Coors Field. E-scooter riders must dismount and walk their scooters in the area starting two hours before home games to minimize risk around heavy foot traffic. 

Does Denver Have Electric Scooters for Rent?

There are several Denver electric scooter rental companies. Bird, Lime, Lyft, Razor, and Spin paid a combined $128,000 in licensing fees to offer scooters for rent throughout the city.

Users pay a fee to unlock a scooter. Then, they pay by the minute to ride. The rider may return the scooter to another station within the city. Anyone may rent an e-scooter.

By 2024, Denver had more than 5,000 scooters on its streets, with more than six million rides taken each year. That’s more than most cities in the entire country.

Electric Scooters in Colorado

E-scooters are now part of daily life in Denver, thanks to the city’s push for more micro-mobility options. They help reduce solo car trips, but there’s a tradeoff: Area hospitals have seen a sharp rise in scooter-related injuries in the past few years.

Lawmakers believe that electric scooters cut down on single-rider motor vehicle use. They say that riders can rent a scooter for a small fee that is comparable to the cost of driving a car. However, critics say that scooters travel at a faster rate than pedestrians, making them a hazard for others on crowded city streets. Like many cities throughout the United States, Denver continues to struggle to find a balance between the potential benefits and dangers of electric scooter use.

Currently, Bird and Lime are the only two electric scooter companies allowed to operate in Denver. Their city contracts are in place through mid-2026, lining up with proposed safety upgrades.

Are Electric Scooters Dangerous?

Yes, e-scooters can be dangerous. Yet their usage keeps climbing — as do the injuries. 

National and local data both show an obvious trend: The more scooters on the roads, the more likely crashes become, especially in busy cities like Denver. Even though riding a scooter by itself may be relatively safe, riding in areas of high congestion, navigating obstacles, and traveling on uneven surfaces can lead to scooter accidents.

Electric Scooter Accident Statistics

CBS News reports that Denver saw more than 2,000 e-scooter accidents in 2024. 

Additionally, a recently published study focusing on Denver Health Medical Center showed that between 2020 and 2023, more than 2,400 riders landed in the ER after e-scooter crashes. Roughly 16% of orthopedic injuries required a hospital stay and potential surgery. 

Are Scooters More Dangerous Than Cars?

Scooters may be more dangerous than cars because when an accident occurs, the victim doesn’t have the protection of a vehicle to shield them from the crash. Even a scooter accident that doesn’t involve motor vehicles can produce serious injuries.

Accidents can happen in both scooters and cars, but a scooter accident at a low speed can cause more serious injuries than may occur in a motor vehicle accident that occurs at the same speed. Even the most common car accident injuries can be exacerbated when they happen to a scooter rider.

Common Injuries From Electric Scooters 

Scooters may be convenient, but crashes involving these vehicles can leave a lasting mark. Denver riders often suffer scooter-related injuries that go beyond scrapes and bruises. Some of the most common types of harm include:

• Head trauma
• Broken arms, wrists, and collarbones
• Facial injuries
• Deep cuts and road rash
• Serious orthopedic injuries 

Most of these incidents happen in the evenings or on weekends, and alcohol is frequently involved.

Colorado E-Scooter Accident

Electric scooter accidents are a growing problem. With e-scooters throughout the city, accidents are bound to occur. A pedestrian may be a victim of a crash. The person riding the scooter may be a victim, too. Even a person in a motor vehicle can be the victim of a scooter accident.

Fault for a Scooter Accident in Colorado

Colorado traffic laws protect the victims of scooter accidents. The person who is at fault for the scooter accident is the person whose actions make the accident occur. That person may or may not be the person who is riding the scooter.

For example, an accident may occur because a car fails to stop for a scooter that is lawfully in a crosswalk. In that case, the driver of the vehicle is at fault for the scooter accident. In another example, a person riding an electric scooter might be traveling too fast, given the amount of pedestrian traffic in the area. If the rider causes an accident because of unreasonable speed, they’re at fault.

The person who is at fault for the scooter accident pays the victims for their damages in Colorado. They may owe the victim for many types of damages, including medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. To receive payment, the victim must bring a claim for compensation. They must prove that the actions of the other party caused the scooter accident.

Can the Government Be Liable for an E-Scooter Accident?

Because electric scooters are licensed and regulated in many cities, government liability for a scooter accident is a valid question. Although liability typically falls to the individual whose actions cause the accident, there are some circumstances where the government may have some legal responsibility for an e-scooter accident. Your attorney for scooter accidents can help you determine who the responsible parties might be for your case.

Proving Fault for a Scooter Accident

An essential part of any scooter accident claim is proving fault. If you’re the victim of an accident, you must prove your case. There are many ways to go about determining fault in Colorado. Testimony from witnesses who saw the accident can be persuasive. You can also admit statements of what the other party said to others after the crash.

The scene of the scooter accident and accident reconstruction techniques can also help you prove your case. While it’s up to the victim to demonstrate fault for the electric scooter accident, you can build robust evidence to prove your case and win the compensation that you deserve.

Contact Our Colorado Attorneys for E-Scooter Accidents

Have you been in an e-scooter accident? Are you wondering if you may claim financial compensation after a Colorado electric scooter accident? Our legal team can help.

At Bachus & Schanker, we have extensive experience handling all kinds of personal injury accidents. We’re trained, ready, and determined to fight for you and the full compensation that you may deserve under Colorado law. Being an accident victim isn’t easy, but our Denver e-scooter accident lawyers are ready to work for you and with you until you receive justice.

With multiple offices, our injury attorneys in Colorado are ready to serve you and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a no-obligation, confidential, and free consultation about your rights. Your call is free. We look forward to speaking with you.

Related Car Accident Resources

Visit Our Office Locations Across Colorado

Serving Clients Nationwide