How E-Scooters, E-Bikes, and Rideshare Zones Are Creating New Accident Risks in New Jersey
Posted November 28th, 2025 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Attorney Anthony Carbone, Auto Accidents, E-scooter, Lyft Accident, Personal Injury.
New transportation options are changing how people get around New Jersey cities. E-scooters, e-bikes, and designated rideshare pickup zones are now common sights on our streets. While these options offer convenience, they’re also creating new types of accidents, especially when Uber and Lyft vehicles are involved. At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C., we help people injured in these modern transportation accidents understand their rights and get fair compensation.
The Growing Risk from E-Scooters and E-Bikes
E-scooters and e-bikes have become extremely popular in New Jersey cities. They’re affordable, environmentally friendly, and great for short trips. However, they’re also creating new collision risks with cars, including rideshare vehicles.
These accidents happen in several common ways:
Right-turn collisions. A rideshare driver turns right without checking the bike lane and hits a cyclist or e-scooter rider.
Door accidents. A rideshare passenger opens the door without looking, hitting an e-scooter or bike rider passing by.
Sudden stops. Rideshare drivers stop abruptly near pickup zones, causing riders behind them to crash.
Poor visibility. E-scooters and e-bikes can be hard to see, especially at night, leading to collisions.
These accidents often cause serious injuries including broken bones, head trauma, road rash, and spinal injuries. Because riders have no protection like a car provides, even low-speed crashes can result in severe harm.
Dangers in Rideshare Pickup and Drop-Off Zones
Many New Jersey cities have created designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones. While these zones are meant to improve safety, they’re actually creating new accident risks.
Pedestrian collisions. Passengers rushing to catch their ride may not watch for e-scooters or bikes.
Misjudged distances. Rideshare drivers pulling into crowded zones may hit cyclists or scooter riders.
Rear-end crashes. Multiple rideshare vehicles stopping and starting in the same area leads to collisions.
Confused traffic patterns. Mixing pedestrians, rideshare vehicles, bikes, and scooters in a small space creates accidents.
These zones concentrate a lot of activity in a small area, which increases the chances of someone getting hurt.
Complex Insurance Issues
When accidents involve rideshare vehicles and e-scooters or e-bikes, figuring out insurance coverage gets complicated.
The Rideshare Driver’s App Status
Whether the Uber or Lyft driver was logged into their app determines which insurance applies. If the driver had accepted a ride or had a passenger, up to $1.5 million in coverage should be available. If the driver was just waiting for a ride request, only limited coverage applies. If the app was off, just the driver’s personal insurance covers the accident.
Multiple Insurance Policies May Apply
These accidents can involve several different insurance policies: the rideshare company’s commercial insurance, the driver’s personal auto insurance, the injured person’s health insurance, and possibly other parties’ liability insurance.
E-Scooter and E-Bike Coverage Questions
Some e-scooter and e-bike rental companies carry insurance, but coverage limits vary. Personal insurance policies may not cover e-scooter or e-bike accidents.
What to Do After One of These Accidents
If you’re injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle and an e-scooter or e-bike, take these steps:
Get medical help immediately. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Getting checked creates important records.
Call the police. A police report documents what happened and helps prove your case.
Take photos and videos. Document the vehicles, the e-scooter or bike, the location, road conditions, and any injuries.
Save rideshare app data. If you were the rideshare passenger, take screenshots of your trip details.
Get witness information. Anyone who saw the accident can provide valuable testimony.
Don’t give statements to insurance companies alone. Be polite but don’t give recorded statements before talking to an attorney.
Contact an experienced attorney quickly. These cases are complex and need legal expertise.
Why These Cases Need Legal Expertise
Accidents involving rideshare vehicles and new transportation options present unique challenges. Insurance companies will dispute which policy should pay. Multiple parties may share fault. E-scooter and bike regulations are still evolving.
At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have over 35 years of experience handling complex accident cases in New Jersey. We understand how these modern transportation trends create new legal issues. We help our clients by investigating exactly what happened, determining who is responsible, identifying all available insurance coverage, gathering critical evidence, and fighting for full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future expenses.
Protect Your Rights
New transportation options are here to stay, which means these types of accidents will continue to happen. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle and an e-scooter, e-bike, or in a rideshare zone, don’t try to handle the insurance companies alone.
Contact The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us now to protect your rights.
