Scooters, or e-scooters, are a fun, recreational way to pass through your favorite city. Some people may be avid scooter riders, but others are not. Unfortunately, e-scooters can be dangerous and cause a potentially serious crash. Nearly 40,000 scooter-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms from 2014 to 2018.
When scooter accidents happen, resulting in injury, William Mattar is here to help. Our experienced accident attorneys can guide you through the legal process and help you file your accident claim. Let us ease the burden of seeking compensation so that you can focus on recovery. Our team is standing by 24/7—just call (844) 444 - 4444 today to speak to an attorney.
Scooters vs. E-Scooters
When discussing scooter accidents, it’s important to know the difference between the conventional scooter and the electric scooter, or e-scooter, which has risen in popularity in recent years. Regular scooters have two wheels and are operated manually—the rider must push forward using their foot—while an e-scooter is propelled by an electric motor.
Because they can move much faster than a traditional scooter, e-scooters pose an increased risk of a possible accident. For this reason, and the fact that these devices are being used more often as a means of travel, “scooter accidents” typically involve electric scooters.
E-scooters have become more prevalent thanks to rideshare services, such as Lyft and Uber. Much like electric bike shares, some companies have scooter share systems that allow users to rent an e-scooter for some time. As of 2019, there are 300 e-scooter and bike share programs in over 200 cities throughout the United States . Examples of e-scooter companies include Lime, Bird, Skip, Spin, and Uber’s Jump.
Electric Scooter Traffic Laws
Every state has laws for the use of electric scooters on public roadways. These rules may be considered if you are involved in an e-scooter crash. In New York, it is legal to operate an e-scooter or electric-assist bike on certain streets and highways.
New York State law provides that e-scooters may be driven on some streets with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less and that they are generally prohibited on sidewalks unless authorized by local law or ordinance.
Types of Scooter Crashes
E-scooter accidents can involve many different circumstances. You could be the rider of the scooter or a pedestrian impacted by one. Common e-scooter accident scenarios include:
- The rider loses control of their scooter: If a person is inexperienced riding e-scooters or is faced with certain road obstacles, that person may be at an increased risk of a scooter crash. For instance, if a rider is traveling in a bike path and their scooter gets snagged on a pothole, that rider may fall off the vehicle and hit another person, object, or the ground.
- A pedestrian is struck by a rider: Scooter riders often must co-exist with other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists on the road. In some cases, an e-scooter may collide with a pedestrian, either because the rider did not see them, or could not stop in time to avoid striking them.
- A rider is struck by another motor vehicle: E-scooters are often operated in busy cities. This means they must travel alongside other motor vehicles, such as cars. If the rider or the other motorist is negligent, an accident can occur. When a scooter rider is hit by a larger vehicle, the consequences can be severe.
- The e-scooter is defective: Like any other vehicle, electric scooters can be defective and therefore dangerous. Examples of faulty scooter parts include faulty brakes, batteries that overheat, loose handlebars, and malfunctioning software.
Victims of an e-scooter accident can suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which focused on riders in Austin, Texas, about half of all scooter-related injuries involved the head (e.g., skull fractures and concussions). In addition to head trauma, other types of scooter injuries can include broken bones, bone fractures, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries.
Compensation for a Scooter Accident
Scooter accident injuries, especially those suffered in a crash involving a larger vehicle, can be devastating and change a victim’s way of life forever. If another party is responsible for the scooter accident that caused your injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You may be able to seek several different types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and/or future income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Diminished quality of life
Speak to a personal injury attorney today who can help determine who is at fault for your crash, and what damages you may be able to pursue.
Call a Scooter Accident Lawyer at William Mattar Today
If you’ve been injured in a scooter or e-scooter crash, contact William Mattar law offices today. Our legal team has decades of experience representing injury victims hurt in a variety of accidents. We can fight for you to get the compensation you need. Call (844) 444 - 4444 or fill out our consultation form to schedule a free consultation.