Since 2017, electric scooter startups have sprung up and dropped their rented scooters on streets all over the United States, available for anyone with a phone and access to apps to use. However, the rise of scooters has also caused an increase in electric scooter accidents. Consumer Reports revealed than in 2018 alone, there have been at least 1,545 accidents involving electric scooters.
The main question is, if you’ve been injured and wish to file a personal injury claim, who is to take the blame? What role do scooter companies like Bird and Lime play in covering the costs? It all depends on the circumstances involving your accident.
Typical Types of Scooter Accidents
In order to determine liability for injuries, you first need to examine the details surrounding the cause of your scooter accident.
Typical types of accidents we’ve seen involve:
- A pedestrian is hit by a scooter rider
- A scooter rider is injured while riding or falling off
- Someone trips and falls over a scooter on the sidewalk
Injuries sustained from e-scooter accidents can include abrasions, bruises, and fractures, but also broken bones, head trauma that includes comas and concussions, spinal cord injuries, and sometimes, death.
User Agreements
What can be complicated about determining liability is that all e-scooter riders have to agree to user agreements before using the scooters that contain pages of liability waivers and assumption of risk disclaimers. As a result, companies generally place the responsibility of accidents on riders.
However, there’s no way to know for sure whether or not a company can take responsibility unless you work with a team of personal injury lawyers who have the experience and skill needed to investigate your claim. If your scooter is faulty and causes an accident, Bird, for example, says riders are fully insured.
50+ Years of Combined Experience
With accolades including a 10/10 rating by AVVO and an A+ by the Better Business Bureau, the lawyers at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP have demonstrated our commitment to our clients. We’ve sought justice for thousands of our clients and have recovered the compensation they need to move on with their lives. We aim to help our clients start a new chapter by providing a shoulder to lean on and experienced legal counsel to turn to for all their case needs.
Call Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP if you’ve been injured in a scooter accident at (800) 462-7160, or contact us online. Our lawyers have effectively sought compensation for our clients’ injuries, as well as protected the rights of individuals who have been arrested and accused of crimes. We’re devoted to strong advocacy for those who need it the most.
