Can You File a Claim If Someone Hits You on a Rental Scooter in Florida?
Rental scooters like Lime, Bird, Spin, and Veo have become common throughout Florida—especially in cities like Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville. These devices allow riders to get around quickly, but they also create a growing number of collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, and even other scooter users.
A question many injured people ask is: “If a rental scooter rider crashes into me, can I file a personal injury claim?”
In many cases, yes. Florida law allows injury claims against negligent scooter riders, negligent drivers, and—under the right circumstances—against the rental companies or property owners whose unsafe conditions contributed to the crash. The key is understanding who is liable, how insurance works, and what steps you must take early to protect your rights.
How Liability Works When a Rental Scooter Rider Injures You
To file a personal injury claim in Florida, you must show that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. With rental scooters, several potential parties may be responsible, depending on how the crash occurred.
The Scooter Rider May Be Liable
If the rider was careless—for example, riding on a sidewalk where prohibited, weaving through pedestrians, riding while intoxicated, or simply going too fast—they can be held responsible for your injuries.
Rental scooters do not exempt riders from Florida’s ordinary negligence rules. If a reasonable person would have ridden more safely, the rider may be financially responsible for your medical bills, missed work, and pain and suffering.
A Vehicle Driver May Be Liable
Some scooter collisions occur when a vehicle hits a scooter rider, causing the rider to fall and collide with a pedestrian or cyclist. In those cases, the vehicle driver may be the primary at-fault party, and standard auto insurance rules apply.
If you want to understand how civil cases unfold after vehicle-related injuries, our guide to Florida’s civil lawsuit process explains this step-by-step.
The Rental Scooter Company May Be Liable
While rental companies attempt to shield themselves from liability, they may still be responsible when:
- The scooter malfunctions
- Brakes fail
- The battery shuts down mid-ride
- The device had not been properly maintained
- The company deployed scooters in unsafe conditions
These are typically product liability or negligent maintenance claims.
A Property Owner or Municipality May Be Liable
If the crash occurred because of uneven pavement, potholes, broken curbs, or other hazardous conditions, the owner of the property may share liability. This is similar to a premises liability scenario.
Florida’s rules for government liability come from Chapter 768, which outlines sovereign immunity limits, available on the Florida Senate website.
Real-World Examples of How These Accidents Happen
Example 1: Sidewalk Collision in Downtown Orlando
A visiting tourist rents a scooter and rides it on a crowded sidewalk at full speed. They lose control while swerving around a group of pedestrians and collide with a woman walking to work. She suffers a fractured wrist and concussion.
Liability: The rider is primarily at fault. She may file a claim directly against the rider and explore whether the scooter malfunctioned or accelerated unexpectedly.
Example 2: Scooter Ejected Into a Pedestrian
A car fails to yield at a crosswalk and hits a scooter rider. The rider is thrown forward and crashes into a pedestrian. Both suffer injuries.
Liability: The vehicle driver may be responsible for both injuries. Auto insurance coverage typically applies.
Example 3: Mechanical Failure
A scooter’s brake system gives out as a rider approaches a crosswalk. The rider cannot stop and hits a jogger. Investigation shows the scooter was overdue for maintenance.
Liability: This may trigger a claim against the rental company for negligent maintenance or defective equipment.
These are just examples. Every case requires individual analysis.
What You Should Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Rental Scooter
Get Medical Treatment Right Away
Many injuries—especially concussions, back injuries, and soft-tissue injuries—worsen over days. Early treatment strengthens your claim and protects your health.
Preserve Evidence at the Scene
If possible:
- Take photos of the scooter, the rider, your injuries, and the surrounding area
- Get contact information for the rider and witnesses
- Write down the scooter’s ID number
- Note whether cameras are nearby
Your attorney can use this evidence to establish fault.
Document the Rider’s App Information
If the rider is cooperative, ask them to screenshot their rental session details. These records can show the timeline, location, and condition of the scooter at the time of the crash.
Contact a Florida Injury Attorney Quickly
Scooter companies, insurers, and defendants often move fast to shift blame. Having counsel early allows you to preserve evidence, identify all possible defendants, and avoid mistakes that reduce your claim value.
If you were injured by a scooter, our team can help you understand the strengths of your case and whether the rider, a vehicle driver, or a rental company may be responsible.
How Insurance Works in Scooter Injury Claims
Unlike drivers of motor vehicles, scooter riders are not required to carry insurance in Florida. This makes scooter claims more complex.
However, your attorney may pursue compensation from:
- The rider’s homeowners or renters insurance
- A vehicle driver’s auto policy if involved
- A business’s commercial insurance if the rider was working
- The scooter company’s product liability coverage
- Your own UM/UIM coverage if a vehicle contributed to the crash
If insurance disputes arise, our resource on handling Florida insurance settlement issues provides helpful guidance.
What Compensation You May Recover
In a successful scooter accident claim, you may be entitled to:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or permanent injury
If the injuries are severe, your financial recovery may be similar to other pedestrian or vehicle cases. For an example of the financial impact injuries may cause, see our guide on what happens when a judgment is entered in a Florida injury case.
Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. Helps Injured Scooter Victims Statewide
Our firm is based in Orlando, but we represent injured victims across the entire state—including Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, and other Florida cities.
We understand how overwhelming scooter injuries can be, especially when the at-fault party denies responsibility or when insurance companies try to avoid paying. Our goal is to explain your rights, preserve evidence, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were hit by a rental scooter, contact us today through our online contact form for a consultation.
