Long Island Scooter & E-Bike Accident Lawyer

Scooter and e-bike accidents are happening more frequently on Long Island, and the injuries are rarely minor. Without the protection of a car around you, a single collision with a distracted driver, an open car door, or a patch of broken pavement can mean broken bones, a head injury, or worse. If that happened to you or someone you care about, you’re probably dealing with pain, medical bills, and an insurance process that doesn’t feel like it’s working in your favor.

At Palermo Law, we understand how difficult that position is. We’ve been representing injured people across Long Island since 1994, and we’ve handled many scooter and e-bike cases — including cases where insurance companies tried to deny coverage entirely. Scooter and e-bike accidents are cases we take seriously and pursue aggressively.

How New York Classifies E-Bikes — and Why It Matters

New York divides electric bikes into three classes based on speed and motor operation. The classification of your bike directly affects your insurance rights after a crash. Insurance companies examine it closely, and getting it wrong can cost you your coverage.

*Class 3 e-bike coverage may depend on specific circumstances of the accident.

Does No-Fault Insurance Apply?

When a car or truck strikes you while you’re riding a scooter or e-bike, you are typically treated like a pedestrian under New York’s no-fault system. That means you are usually entitled to no-fault benefits through the vehicle’s insurance — covering medical expenses and a portion of lost wages without waiting for fault to be determined.

However, coverage gets complicated in several situations: if your bike is classified as a motorcycle; if the vehicle that hit you was uninsured; or if the accident involved a hit-and-run driver with specific procedural requirements. Identifying the correct policy and moving quickly to preserve your rights is critical.

For a detailed breakdown of New York’s e-bike laws, no-fault rules, and what you can recover, read our guide to e-bike accidents, laws, and no-fault coverage on Long Island.

Common Causes of Scooter and E-Bike Accidents on Long Island

Long Island’s road network was built for cars, not for smaller, exposed riders sharing lanes with fast-moving traffic. The accidents we see most frequently follow predictable patterns:

• Distracted drivers who fail to notice a scooter or e-bike rider at intersections or in their lane
• Right-hook crashes where a car passes and then turns suddenly across your path into a driveway or parking lot
• Left-turn collisions — one of the most dangerous crash types, accounting for a significant share of bicycle and e-bike fatalities
• Dooring accidents when drivers or passengers open car doors into oncoming riders
• Road hazard crashes caused by potholes, broken pavement, metal plates, or debris — which may involve claims against municipalities
• Accidents in commercial corridors like Montauk Highway, Middle Country Road, and Route 25A where driveways and turning vehicles create constant conflict points

What You Can Recover

If another party caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses not covered by no-fault, including emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent injury or disability
• Property damage to your scooter or e-bike

Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your work and daily life, and the strength of the liability evidence. We’ll give you a direct, honest assessment of what your case may be worth.

Suffolk County’s 2025 E-Bike Ordinance

In late 2025, the Suffolk County Legislature passed comprehensive regulations governing e-bike and e-scooter use. These rules are now in effect and include: mandatory helmet requirements for all riders regardless of age; a ban on sidewalk riding; restrictions to roadways posted at 30 mph or less; and prohibitions on impaired operation. Nassau County currently governs e-bike use through state law and enforcement practices rather than a standalone county code.

These regulations matter in crash cases because insurance companies reference local ordinances when assessing comparative fault. If you were operating in violation of a county rule at the time of your accident, a carrier may argue that violation contributed to your injuries.

See the full details in our Long Island e-bike accident and laws guide.

What to Do After a Scooter or E-Bike Accident

Serving Scooter and E-Bike Accident Victims Across Long Island

Palermo Law handles scooter and e-bike accident cases throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties from 9 offices across Long Island. Whether your accident happened on a busy commercial corridor in Nassau County, along a major roadway in Suffolk County, or in a community like Huntington, Babylon or Hauppauge, we know these roads and we know how these cases move through local courts.

We also serve clients in Patchogue, Riverhead, East Hampton and Carle Place.

Why Injured Riders Choose Palermo Law

Since 1994, Palermo Law has represented injured people across Long Island exclusively — we have never taken a case on behalf of an insurance company and we never will. Every case is personally overseen by Steven Palermo. We offer free consultations at any of our 9 offices, and we charge no fee unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions