ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT LAWYERS
CALL 888-999-0828 TO SPEAK WITH AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
If you’ve spent any time outdoors in public, you’ve most likely seen the many electric scooters that have overrun the streets and sidewalks in nearly every city in the US. Although they were initially introduced as a way to encourage the use of an eco-friendly method of transportation as an alternative to cars, these electric scooters have become a nuisance to some and a motorized toy for others.
Because these rental scooters are relatively new and are rapidly spreading around the country, many cities have yet to develop and effectively enforce rules to regulate their use and ensure the safety of scooter riders, motorists, and pedestrians. This means that accidents involving electric scooters have the potential to happen frequently, and the injuries sustained in these scooter accidents can be serious.
If you or someone you know has been injured while riding an electric scooter, either due to scooter malfunction or another’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek accident compensation for your injuries. Call our electric scooter accident attorneys at California Injury Law, PLC, and pay nothing unless we win your case – that’s our No Fee Guarantee.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
After the initial introduction of electric scooters in cities across the US and their huge surge in popularity almost instantly, many other transportation companies and startups decided to create their own brand of electric scooter and spread the reach even further.
Some of the most common types of electric scooters available today are listed below:
· Bird
· Lime
· Jump
· Lyft
· Ojo
· Spin
· VeoRide
Due to the quick influx of these electric scooters in cities across America, the publicity and notoriety surrounding them, and their relatively low cost, the number of electric scooter accidents and injured riders has increased significantly. Similarly, the number of injury claims seen by electric scooter accident attorneys has also increased.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER LAWS
Because electric scooters are a relatively new method of transportation, new laws have not yet been written to regulate their use. Individual states have started to pass their own laws regarding their legal use to prevent further electric scooter accidents and injuries.
In general, electric scooters must follow the same laws as electric bicycles, which have been around much longer. No extra regulations have been put in place on a nationwide level to specifically regulate the use of electric scooters, although that may soon become a consideration due to the dramatic increase in electric scooter-related injuries.
Like electric bicycles, and if there are no state-specific laws in place that state otherwise, electric scooters can be used on public pathways, trails, and streets that have designated bike lanes. While riding an electric scooter, you do not need to carry a license, registration or insurance. Most importantly, electric scooters are not allowed on sidewalks.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENTS
There are countless ways that an individual can be injured while riding an electric scooter or while near someone who is riding an electric scooter. Below are some of the most common types of electric scooter accidents.
Improper or unsafe use of the electric scooters
·Young or unsupervised children using the electric scooters
· Use of the electric scooters on sidewalks or streets without bike lanes
· People riding multiple electric scooters at one time
· Multiple people sharing one scooter
· Improperly secured electric scooters in cars or trucks by scooter chargers
·Use of scooters in undesignated locations
Electric scooter malfunction
·Brake failure
·Flat tires
·Sudden battery crash mid-ride
·Loose or detached handlebars
·Throttle stuck on full speed
·Locking of front wheel mid-ride
·Breaking of the scooter baseboard
Electric scooter crashes due to road hazards
·Potholes, debris, litter or bumps in the road
·Construction areas
·Ice or water on the road
·Low visibility during the night
Electric scooter accidents due to other riders, pedestrians, or motorists
·Pedestrians may be hit by a scooter or fall trying to avoid the impact
·Scooter riders may swerve into traffic or fall trying to avoid other riders
·Motorists may hit scooters or other pedestrians while trying to avoid a scooter
Injuries sustained by improperly parked electric scooters
·Scooters parked in designated handicap spots or ramps
·Scooters abandoned in the middle of roads or sidewalks
·Scooters in front of the entrances and exits to buildings
COMMON ELECTRIC SCOOTER INJURIES
Because there are many different types of electric scooter accidents that can occur, the different injuries sustained during an accident can vary dramatically. Minor injuries sustained from electric scooter accidents include cuts, bruises, scrapes, strains, and sprains. More serious electric scooter injuries include broken bones, lacerations, fractures, herniated discs, and traumatic head injuries.
LIABILITY IN AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER LAWSUIT
If you are involved in an electric scooter crash, you may be wondering who is liable for your injuries. Determining who is liable depends on the type of accident and who is at fault for your accident. In general, these are the main parties who may be found liable for the injuries you sustained during the scooter accident:
The Scooter Rider
Although electric scooters are not allowed on sidewalks, some riders, whether aware or unaware of this restriction, still find themselves riding in close proximity to pedestrians or other riders. If you are hit by an electric scooter rider, and sustain injuries from the accident, that individual or their insurance company may be held liable.
Others on the Road
Since electric scooters are allowed on streets with designated bike lanes, some accidents may occur on the road. Often times, these accidents can be the most severe since other vehicles, like cars and motorcycles, can reach speeds much higher than the scooter. If the driver of the other vehicle is found to be negligent, then the driver’s auto insurance provider may be held liable for the claim.
The Scooter Company
If your accident is determined to be caused due to electric scooter malfunction, the scooter company may be held liable for your claim.
HOW TO FILE AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT CLAIM
Although the legal process may seem daunting, an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer can guide you through the steps to file a successful personal injury claim should you find yourself the victim. An electric scooter accident lawsuit can be broken down into a simple 3-step process.
Consultation
At California Injury Law we believe that everyone deserves the best legal representation during their claim no matter what their financial situation may be. After you have sought medical attention for your injuries, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. We offer a NO-CHARGE Consultation to help you get more insight on your claim and determine the status of your case. Our No Win No Fee Guarantee also ensure that you will pay nothing unless we win your case.
Investigation
If our attorneys determine that you have a case, the next step in the process involves gathering the documents needed to file your claim. These documents may include any police reports and medical records. You need not worry during this time; our scooter accident lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to conduct this step of the process efficiently.
Recovery
Once your attorney has sorted your claim, they will reach out to the at-fault party to pursue your settlement while you focus on recovering.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT COMPENSATION
In general, if you have been involved in a scooter accident, your injuries can be split into different areas:
· Economic Damages
· Medical expenses
· Cost of future medical expenses
· Loss of earnings
· Loss of future earnings
· Household expenses