Electric scooters are yet again a top Christmas gift for the 2025 holiday season. From kids riding around the neighborhood and going to friends’ houses, to adults who want an alternate way to commute to work or tour a city, scooters offer a fun and eco-friendly option for getting around.
While their popularity and demand remain high, scooter accidents in the US have skyrocketed over the past five years, showing that the use of them comes with significant risks. As a result of these accidents, personal injury attorneys across the country are handling an increasing number of scooter injury cases, which is unsurprising given the statistics: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported over 115,000 e-scooter injuries in 2024, whereas this number was less than 30,000 in 2020.
Another notable trend affects a younger age group of riders. In 2024, the CPSC reported that scooter injuries among those under 15 more than doubled over the previous year. While an e-scooter gift may light up the face of your child, niece, nephew, or grandchild on Christmas morning, know that these vehicles can be dangerous, and that everyone who rides them should know how to do so safely.
Fractured and broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, facial damage, spinal cord injuries, and organ damage are types of scooter accident injuries. Scooter accidents are increasingly associated with traumatic injuries that require surgery, and recovering can take weeks, months, or years. In the worst cases, they’re fatal.
Legal Implications of E-Scooter Accidents
According to personal injury attorneys, riders should know what to do if an accident occurs, and that following state laws and regulations is important for several reasons. First, it could save your life and prevent more serious e-scooter injuries from occurring. But it could also affect your insurance claim or the validity of a personal injury lawsuit, and if your actions were reckless, you may be held liable for damages the other party suffers.
Dealing with insurance companies goes more smoothly when the claimant followed the law and wasn’t responsible for causing the accident. The scooter rider’s actions matter in personal injury cases, and it’s always better if they followed safe scooter practices and obeyed state and local scooter laws. Regardless of who’s liable, consulting with a scooter accident attorney can help ensure your rights are protected and that insurers don’t take advantage of you.
So, if you’re gifting an e-scooter this Christmas or splurging on one for yourself, there are things you need to know to stay safe and avoid dangerous scenarios.
How to Stay Safe on Electric Scooters
People of all ages enjoy riding e-scooters, and there are many benefits of using one to get around. But wearing a helmet, making yourself visible, and adhering to the rules of the road can be the difference between life and death – and have an impact on insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
Whether you gift or receive one, follow these electric scooter safety tips:
Wear a Helmet
Wearing a helmet when riding an e-scooter is one the best ways to avoid a severe or fatal head or traumatic brain injury. While the law varies depending on where you live, especially when it comes to adults, most states require anyone under the age of 16 or 18 to wear a helmet. Alarmingly, some states, including Florida and Texas, don’t even have helmet laws that apply to minors, so they can ride these motorized vehicles without protecting their head.
Given the 2025 Electric Scooter Accident Report found that head trauma accounted for over 18% of all scooter injuries in 2024, it doesn’t matter if the law demands you wear a helmet – it’s the smart thing to do.
Make Yourself Visible
Just like pedestrians and cyclists, it can be difficult for drivers of motor vehicles to see people on scooters, especially if they aren’t riding where they’re supposed to. Wearing bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night can help make you more visible and getting around safer. Having lights and reflectors on your scooter also increases your visibility, and it’s the law in many states and cities. As serious scooter injuries are on the rise, doing what you can to limit risks by being visible to others on the road is crucial.
Obey Local and State E-Scooter Laws
Did you know that e-scooters are prohibited in Pennsylvania and Delaware? Or that California requires riders to be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver's license or learning permit?
These are just some examples of how e-scooter laws in the US vary depending on where you live. However, there are a few common laws in states and cities that allow their use: e-scooters can, and in many cases, must, be ridden on roads with certain speed limits, and bike lanes are to be used if they’re available. In addition, several states have the same laws for e-scooter drivers as they do for cyclists.
Countless cities prohibit their use on sidewalks, and yet, electric scooter accidents involving pedestrians have increased significantly. Crashing into someone who’s walking can cause injuries to both the rider and pedestrian, and if you broke the law by riding on the sidewalk, you could be considered negligent and held liable for damages.
Speed limits and the power of electric scooters are another factor typically addressed in regulations and laws – as well as whether you need to register the vehicle or get a special permit.
This holiday season, don't let yourself or a loved one become a statistic. Look up the electric scooter laws in your city and state, wear a helmet, and make yourself visible this holiday season.
Related: Electric Scooters Are Growing in Popularity, But Are They Causing Head Injuries?
