Scooters are a big part of daily life in Austin, Texas. They help people ride to work, explore downtown, or move between campus and the entertainment districts. When a crash results in serious injury, understanding your legal options is crucial.
At David Komie Law, we know the city and its residents. For years, attorney David Komie has been a familiar face in Austin, Texas, known as the “Attorney that Rocks” on billboards and TV commercials throughout the city. Our law firm combines that same energy with real legal skill.
What Are The Common E-Scooter Crash Scenarios In Austin?
Some common examples include:
- A driver turns across a rider’s lane or opens a car door into the scooter’s path
- Potholes, cracked sidewalks, loose gravel or metal plates cause loss of control
- Brake or throttle failure or unstable stems on rental scooters
- Night rides through downtown, campus areas or near bars and restaurants
Fault is not always obvious. We investigate quickly to determine what really happened and who should be held responsible.
Risks Of Riding
Some electric scooters can get up to 15 miles per hour. That may not sound like a lot, but it is fast enough to do a lot of damage to your body in an accident. The simple truth of the matter is:
- Electric scooter riders are difficult for drivers to see.
- These vehicles offer no protection for their riders.
- Electric scooters are not very stable.
- These vehicles do not do well when driven over potholes, gravel, debris or other road hazards.
While electric scooters are fun to operate, they are not toys. Without exercising proper care, it is very easy to get hurt while riding one.
Risks To Pedestrians
Not only do we hear of scooter riders being hit by cars, we hear of scooter drivers hitting pedestrians. In these cases, both driver and pedestrian may suffer serious injury. Commonly seen injuries include broken bones, lacerations, brain injuries and damage to nerves — among many others.
Rental Term Pitfalls With Bird, Lime And Spin
Those tap-to-accept screens matter more than most riders realize. Every scooter rental app, from Bird to Lime to Spin, comes with terms that may seem harmless but can affect a personal injury claim later. These fine-print traps often include:
- Liability waivers and assume the risk clauses that companies use to avoid paying
- Forced arbitration and short in-app reporting deadlines that may limit a claim
- Helmet and age requirements that may not align with Texas law
- Disclaimers that say riders accept road conditions “at their own risk”
- Device inspection rules that shift responsibility for maintenance to riders
Waivers are not the end of the story. We review the contract, the facts and Texas law to identify which claims remain viable and how to hold relevant parties accountable.
Broken Sidewalks And Road Defects: How These Claims Work
Crashes caused by broken sidewalks, deep potholes or missing warning signs involve more than one responsible party. The city of Austin or a private contractor may be at fault for failing to maintain safe conditions. These claims follow specific rules and deadlines, so timing is key.
Our Austin scooter accident attorneys.
- Document the scene
- Track down prior complaints or repairs
- Check for nearby construction or utility work
We encourage injured riders to contact us promptly so we can preserve evidence and comply with the strict notice requirements in Austin, Texas.
What Photos And Evidence To Collect Right Away
After any Austin scooter crash, collecting strong evidence helps support a claim. We recommend gathering the following items as soon as possible:
- Photos, both wide and close, of the scene, traffic and lighting conditions
- Pictures of the defect to measure any gap or hole with a key, card or shoe for scale
- Scooter details: Brand like Bird, Lime or Spin, ID/QR code, mileage and app screenshots
- Images of your injuries, clothing damage or helmet
- Contact information for witnesses and nearby businesses with cameras
- A screenshot of any 311 report if you notified the city about a road or sidewalk hazard
Keep the ride receipt and app map. Never let the scooter company swap out the device without first recording the ID number.
Who Pays After An E-Scooter Crash?
Determining who pays for medical bills or property damage after an Austin scooter accident can be a complex process. Possible sources of compensation may include:
- A negligent driver’s auto insurance if a car caused the crash
- Your own PIP, MedPay or UM/UIM coverage (even while riding a scooter)
- The scooter company or maintenance contractor, if a defective part was involved
- A property owner or city contractor responsible for unsafe road conditions
Our e‑scooter injury attorney stacks every available insurance coverage to help ensure our clients’ medical expenses, lost wages and pain are addressed in full.
How We Help
David Komie Law is familiar with the streets, rental companies and the challenges riders encounter after an accident. We take steps such as:
- Preserving camera footage and scene evidence
- Downloading app data, ride logs and scooter information
- Identifying all insurance policies and filing deadlines
- Coordinating with treating providers and assisting with medical care
- Preparing each case for settlement or trial
Contact our team for a free consultation. There are no lawyer’s fees unless we recover compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here, we have answered some of the commonly asked questions:
I was not wearing a helmet. Do I still have a case?
Often yes. Our Austin scooter accident lawyer reviews all relevant facts and insurance sources to determine the available options.
The app says I waived my rights. Am I out of luck?
Not necessarily. We examine the waiver and Texas law to see what claims remain.
How soon should I call?
As soon as possible. Some notices and claim deadlines are short.
We Are Here For Austin Riders
Whether your crash happened in Austin or elsewhere in Texas, David Komie Law can help you move forward. Call 512-338-0900 today.