Electric scooters, or e-scooters, have become a familiar sight, zipping through the streets and parks of Connecticut cities like Hartford, Stamford, and New Haven. They offer a convenient, eco-friendly way to navigate short distances, bypassing traffic and the hassle of parking. But with this rise in popularity comes a significant question that confuses both riders and pedestrians: Where are these devices legally allowed to operate? Specifically, can you ride an e-scooter on a sidewalk in Connecticut?
The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It’s a complex issue governed by a combination of state statutes and a patchwork of local town and city ordinances. Understanding this legal landscape is not just about avoiding a ticket; it's about preventing a serious e-scooter accident and knowing your rights if you are involved in one. This article breaks down the rules, the risks, and the steps you should take if you suffer an e-scooter injury.
Unpacking Connecticut’s State-Level E-Scooter Laws
To get to the heart of the sidewalk question, we must first look at how the state of Connecticut classifies and regulates these devices. In 2019, the state passed Public Act 19-162, which established a foundational legal framework for e-scooters. This law was a necessary step to provide some uniformity in a previously unregulated space.
Under this state law, an electric scooter is defined by a few key characteristics:
- It has handlebars and a floorboard you can stand on.
- It is powered by an electric motor.
- It has a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.
Most importantly, the state law established a default set of rules by generally treating e-scooters like bicycles. This means that, at a minimum, e-scooter riders have many of the same rights and responsibilities as cyclists. They are expected to:
- Ride on the road, generally in the same direction as traffic.
- Obey all traffic signals, signs, and road markings.
- Use hand signals to indicate turns.
- Yield the right-of-way when required.
So, what does this statewide framework say about sidewalks? Under the state-level e-scooter laws, riding an e-scooter on a public sidewalk is prohibited. The law directs riders to use streets and, where available, bike lanes. However, the state legislature also recognized that every city and town is different. A busy street in downtown Hartford presents different challenges than a quiet suburban road in Fairfield County. To account for this, the law gives local municipalities—your city, town, or borough—the authority to create their own, more specific rules.
The Patchwork of Local Rules: Why Where You Ride Matters for E-Scooters
This is where the straightforward state law becomes more complicated. Public Act 19-162 grants local traffic authorities the power to customize e-scooter regulations to fit their community's needs. A municipality can choose to adopt the state’s rules as they are, or they can pass their own ordinances that modify them.
This means the legality of riding an e-scooter on a sidewalk can change dramatically from one town line to the next.
- A City Could Ban Them Completely: One town might decide that e-scooters pose too great a risk to pedestrians and prohibit them from all sidewalks within its jurisdiction, enforcing the state's default rule strictly.
- A City Could Allow it with Restrictions: Another city might permit e-scooters on sidewalks in certain designated areas, such as wide boardwalks or in residential zones where pedestrian traffic is light. They might also impose a lower speed limit for sidewalk riding.
- A City Could Have No Specific Ordinance: Some smaller towns may not have passed any specific ordinances yet, in which case the state's default prohibition on sidewalk riding remains in effect.
This creates a confusing environment for riders. A person could start their trip in a town that allows sidewalk riding, cross into a neighboring town that forbids it, and be in violation of the law without even realizing it. The responsibility falls on the rider to know and obey the specific rules of the municipality in which they are operating the e-scooter. Before you ride, especially if you are using a shared service like Lime or Bird, it is wise to check the local city or town government's website for any specific ordinances related to e-scooters. Ignorance of the local law is not a valid defense if you cause an accident or are stopped by law enforcement.
When Rides Go Wrong: Understanding the Risks of an E-Scooter Accident and Injury
The debate over sidewalk riding is rooted in safety. E-scooters are quiet, can travel at surprising speeds, and often appear suddenly, creating a serious hazard for unsuspecting pedestrians. At the same time, riders on the street are vulnerable to much larger and heavier motor vehicles. This inherent risk factor is why e-scooter accidents are unfortunately common.
Studies from public health and safety organizations have highlighted a concerning trend in injuries associated with micromobility devices. Riders often lack the protection that a car provides—there are no airbags, seatbelts, or steel frames. The most frequently reported types of e-scooter injury include:
- Head Trauma: Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a primary concern, especially for riders who do not wear helmets.
- Fractures: Broken wrists, ankles, and collarbones are common as riders attempt to brace themselves during a fall.
- Lacerations and Abrasions: "Road rash," deep cuts, and bruising are almost guaranteed in any accident involving a fall onto pavement.
- Dental and Facial Injuries: A forward fall can easily lead to broken teeth, a fractured jaw, or other serious facial damage.
These injuries can result from several types of e-scooter accident scenarios:
- Collisions with Motor Vehicles: A driver turning without seeing the scooter, opening a car door into the rider's path, or failing to yield the right-of-way in an intersection.
- Collisions with Pedestrians: This is the key danger of sidewalk riding. A collision can cause significant harm to both the rider and the pedestrian, who is often an older adult or a child.
- Rider-Only Accidents: Poor road conditions like potholes, loose gravel, or uneven pavement can cause a rider to lose control and crash.
- Scooter Malfunction: Defective brakes, a faulty accelerator, or a structural failure in the scooter itself can lead directly to a crash.
Determining Fault: How a Connecticut E-Scooter Accident Lawyer Investigates Liability
When an e-scooter accident results in a serious injury, the immediate question becomes, "Who is legally responsible?" The answer depends on the legal principle of negligence. To win a personal injury claim, the injured party must prove that another party acted carelessly or wrongfully and that this negligence directly caused their injuries. In the context of e-scooter accidents, liability can be complex and may involve one or more parties.
An experienced Connecticut e-scooter accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine fault, which could lie with:
- The E-Scooter Rider: Was the rider violating a local ordinance by being on the sidewalk? Were they speeding, weaving through pedestrians, or distracted by their phone? If a rider’s negligence causes injury to a pedestrian, the rider can be held liable for the victim’s damages.
- The Driver of a Motor Vehicle: If the accident occurred on the road, was the driver of the car, truck, or bus at fault? Did they run a stop sign, make an illegal turn, or follow the scooter too closely? Drivers have a duty to be aware of their surroundings and share the road safely with more vulnerable users like scooter riders.
- The Rental Company: Companies like Lime, Bird, and others have a responsibility to maintain their fleet of e-scooters in a safe, working condition. If an accident was caused by a known defect—like a history of brake failures on a certain model or a poorly maintained individual scooter—the company could be held liable under product liability laws.
- The Municipality: A city or town has a duty to maintain its public roadways and, in some cases, sidewalks in a reasonably safe condition. If an accident was caused by a dangerous pothole, a large crack in the pavement, or a malfunctioning traffic signal that the city knew about but failed to fix, the municipality could be held partially or fully responsible.
Connecticut follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means that you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for your own accident, as long as your share of the fault is not greater than the combined fault of the other parties. However, your total compensation award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault for an accident and your total damages were $100,000, you would be able to recover $90,000.
Steps to Take After a Crash: Protecting Your Rights with an E-Scooter Accident Attorney
The moments after an e-scooter accident are chaotic and stressful. However, the actions you take can have a significant impact on your health and your ability to recover financial compensation for your injuries. If you are involved in a crash, try to take the following steps.
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately. Your health is the top priority. Call 911, especially if you have hit your head or are in significant pain. Some injuries may not be apparent right away. A medical evaluation creates an official record of your injuries, which is vital for any future legal claim.
- Report the Accident. Contact the local police department and have them file an official accident report. A police report provides an impartial account of the incident. Also, be sure to report the crash to the scooter rental company through their app.
- Document the Scene. If you are physically able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of everything. This includes your injuries, damage to the scooter and any other vehicles, the exact location of the crash, any road hazards, traffic signals, and relevant street signs.
- Gather Information. Get the names, contact information, and insurance details from any drivers involved. It is just as important to get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened. Their testimony could be invaluable.
- Preserve Evidence. Do not delete the ride history from your rental app. Keep all medical bills, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and any correspondence from insurance companies.
- Speak with an Experienced Attorney. Before you give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, contact a skilled e-scooter accident attorney. The insurance company’s goal is to protect its bottom line by minimizing or denying your claim. An attorney will protect your rights and handle all communications on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Ultimately, these steps are about more than just managing the immediate chaos of a crash; they are about preserving your ability to seek justice and fair compensation. The evidence and information you gather in the minutes and hours after an e-scooter accident create the foundation for any future personal injury claim. By being proactive, you provide a skilled e-scooter accident attorney with the essential tools they need to build a strong case, counter the arguments of insurance companies, and fight effectively to protect your rights.
Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is One Phone Call Away
The laws governing e-scooters in Connecticut are still evolving, and the line between legal and illegal operation can be blurry. When an accident happens, navigating the aftermath—from proving negligence to fighting with insurance companies—is a challenge no one should face alone. Determining liability requires a deep understanding of state traffic laws, local ordinances, and the principles of personal injury law.
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we are dedicated to advocating for the rights of the injured. We understand the unique complexities that e-scooter accident cases present. Our team has the experience and resources to investigate your accident, identify all liable parties, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Do not delay seeking legal guidance if you or a loved one sustained injuries in an e-scooter accident in Connecticut. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.