Can I Sue for Injuries Caused by E-Bike or E-Scooter Riders in Illinois?

 Posted on July 31, 2025 in Personal Injury

Electric bikes and scooters are becoming more popular across the country. As more people choose this mode of transportation for getting around, with many companies offering easy rental services, accidents involving these vehicles are also on the rise. It is becoming more and more common to see e-scooters zipping along sidewalks or e-bikes weaving through traffic. What happens if one of these riders causes an accident and you are left with serious injuries?

In Illinois, you may be able to sue for injuries caused by an e-bike or e-scooter rider. As with all personal injury cases, the outcome of your suit will depend on the details of your case. To learn more about how these types of accidents are handled, speak with a qualified Bloomingdale, IL personal injury lawyer.

Are E-Bike and E-Scooter Riders Regulated in Illinois?

Electric scooters and e-bikes are classified by size and capability, and Illinois laws like 625 ILCS 5/1-140.10 address them differently depending on this classification. Most e-bikes fall into three categories based on their speed and whether they require pedaling. E-scooters are generally classified as low-speed electric devices, and many towns have local ordinances restricting where and how they can be used.

Some municipalities have their own rules prohibiting riding on sidewalks, requiring helmet use, or establishing age limits. Riders who violate these rules and cause injuries could be considered negligent and liable.

When Can You Sue an E-Bike or E-Scooter Rider?

You may have grounds to file a personal injury claim if the rider acted negligently and caused your injuries, for example by:

• Riding on a crowded sidewalk and striking a pedestrian

• Speeding through a crosswalk without yielding

• Ignoring stop signs or traffic signals

• Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol

As with any personal injury case, you will need to show that the rider owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries as a result. If you can demonstrate this, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Who Is Liable for an E-Scooter or E-Bike Accident?

In many cases, the rider is personally responsible. However, there are other scenarios where additional parties may have liability as well. Rental companies may be liable if the scooter or bike malfunctioned due to poor maintenance. Local governments might share liability if poor infrastructure contributed to the crash. This can sometimes be claimed if there are uneven sidewalks or missing signage, but suing a municipality has stricter requirements. Drivers could also be implicated if the e-rider’s actions forced them to swerve and cause a chain-reaction crash.

Contact a Bloomingdale, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were hurt by an e-bike or e-scooter, speak with a knowledgeable DuPage County, IL personal injury attorney at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices. With offices in Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville, we offer convenient locations and flexible scheduling, including Saturday and evening appointments. Call us at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free case evaluation.