$275,000 Recovery: E-Scooter Fall Caused by Uplifted Sidewalk

E-scooters have become a common sight across South Florida's streets and sidewalks. So have the injuries that result when those sidewalks are poorly maintained.

Our client was riding an e-scooter on a public sidewalk when the scooter struck an uplifted section of pavement — a common hazard caused by tree roots, poor construction, or years of deferred maintenance. The fall caused serious injuries. We recovered $275,000.

Who Is Liable for a Sidewalk Injury in Florida?

Sidewalk injury cases in Florida can be complex because responsibility for sidewalk maintenance is not always obvious. Depending on where the sidewalk is located and how the injury occurred, potentially liable parties may include the municipality or city responsible for public sidewalk maintenance, the adjacent property owner, the e-scooter company if equipment failure contributed, or a contractor responsible for recent construction or repairs.

Identifying the right defendant requires a thorough investigation of maintenance records, inspection logs, and the history of complaints about the specific hazard. This is work that needs to happen quickly — before records are lost and before the hazard is repaired without documentation.

The Rise of E-Scooter Injuries in Broward and Palm Beach County

As scooter-sharing programs have expanded throughout South Florida, emergency rooms and personal injury attorneys alike have seen a significant increase in scooter-related injuries. Many of these injuries are not caused by rider error — they are caused by road and sidewalk conditions that would be dangerous for any user.

Uplifted sidewalk sections, potholes, broken curbs, and unmarked drop-offs are hazards that municipalities and property owners are required to address. When they fail to do so and someone is hurt, they can be held accountable.

Act Quickly in Sidewalk Injury Cases

Claims against Florida municipalities and government entities are subject to shorter notice deadlines than standard personal injury claims. If your injury occurred on a public sidewalk or in a public space, you may have as little as three years — and in some cases less — to pursue your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a sidewalk injury to protect your rights.