Companies such as Bird and Lime provide e-scooter rentals for riders who want to travel around the city on scooters. Similar to New York’s Citi Bike Share Program, riders can utilize scooters for short rides to transport people. While scooters might be small, electric scooter accidents still pose a substantial threat to not just riders but also cyclists and pedestrians.
If you or a loved one was harmed while riding on or due to an e-scooter, you should promptly speak with an accident attorney. At Cohen & Jaffe LLP our lawyers understand how to best protect your rights. We represent accident victims throughout New York City.
What Companies Offer Electric Scooter Rental Services?
Countless e-scooter companies are fighting to obtain the biggest share of ridership in this fledgling industry. Dozens of companies offer ride-sharing services, but some of the most popular scooter companies in the country include Skip, Razor, Bolt, Lime, Spin, Byrd, Scoot, and Lyft. These companies often function by having users either enter or scan a code with an app that unlocks a scooter. The rider is then charged for use of the scooter, which is often rented for a time frame. After the rider is finished, they return the scooter and use the app to conclude the ride.
Injuries Common in Electric Scooter Accidents
Various injuries and even fatalities have occurred in electric scooter accidents. Most injuries involve either people riding on electric scooters or pedestrians. Even when traveling at lower speeds, e-scooter falls and accidents can result in serious injuries including head, neck, and back injuries as well as facial trauma and nerve damage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even reports there has been an increase in electric scooter-related injuries. The study found that a large number of e-scooter-associated injuries involved potentially avoidable risk factors including the absence of helmet use or motor vehicle interaction. Efforts focused on reducing these risks and educating first-time riders could greatly reduce the probability of injury occurring as well as the severity of these injuries.
Liability Involving E-Scooter Companies
When riders are injured while riding e-scooters, e-scooter companies do their best to avoid liability by claiming that accidents occurred due to a rider or another cause. These companies should be held responsible for accidents they negligently cause, though. E-scooter companies might offer a warning that riders should wear helmets, but helmets are often not provided with rental scooters.
Scooter companies do not require training or instruction on scooter operation. This often leads to injuries by first-time scooter riders who are not acquainted with things like acceleration, braking, or steering.
Additionally, mechanical or software problems with scooters can exist of which riders are not aware. Battery, computer, or electrical issues can cause electric scooters to stop, which increases the risk the rider will be injured. Brake problems, as well as steering issues, can cause riders to lose control of their scooter and place them in addition to others in danger of being harmed. Defects including those during the design or manufacturing process can serve as the grounds for a product liability claim against a scooter company.
Cars Can Cause Electric Scooter Accidents
Any person who either rides a bike or walks in New York understands that drivers sometimes fail to obey traffic laws which can place bicyclists and pedestrians at risk of being seriously injured.
Drivers who are in a hurry as well as motorists who are frustrated with traffic can end up speeding through intersections or navigating corners at high speeds when other motorists have the right of way. E-scooter riders are at risk during these accidents of being seriously injured. Some types of driver negligence that could place scooter riders in danger include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while impaired
- Entering the shoulder of the road
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Not stopping or yielding at an intersection
- Opening a parked car’s door
- Switching lanes but not signaling
- Turning into another rider’s path
- Violating traffic regulations
Pedestrians Harmed by Electric Scooter Accidents
Electric scooter riders often do not have adequate experience riding electric scooters. Electric scooter riders do not understand the regulations about where they can ride or where they should leave scooters when they finish riding them. Things like disregard and inexperience can end up seriously injuring pedestrians.
Electric scooters can go as fast as 15 miles an hour. When electric scooters strike pedestrians at this type of pace, it can result in substantial injury to a pedestrian, which includes knocking the victim to the ground leading to back, neck, or head injuries. Mixing speeding with crowded roads or sidewalks can result in substantial pedestrian injuries.
Injuries Caused by Electric Scooters
Scooter injuries can lead to substantial medical bills as well as lost wages for people who are in accidents. When accidents are the result of negligent riders or defective scooters, you might be able to pursue compensation. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit with a skilled New York lawyer can help you receive lost wages, medical bills, and lost income among other damages. A limited window of time exists to pursue an injury claim in New York. Speaking with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible can make sure that you receive adequate compensation.
Speak With an Experienced New York Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
At The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe LLP, our lawyers are personally involved with every case and know what it takes to both investigate and prepare an injury claim including those arising from electric scooter accidents. We bring years of experience to your case, which includes a history of successful verdicts and settlements demanding attention be paid by insurance carriers. Our lawyers are acquainted with the injuries commonly caused by electric scooters as well as bicycles. We know what it takes to fight for the results that people injured in chest, leg, head, back, and spinal cord injuries deserve. We focus on maximizing compensation for clients to cover important things like medical costs, lost earnings, and long-term harm. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
