With rising gas costs and increased traffic congestion in major cities, it makes sense to get in on the affordability and convenience of traveling on an electric scooter. In Phoenix, e-bike manufacturer Lime intends to provide 1,200 new e-scooters for residents to enjoy and improve transportation equality.
While scooters are easy to operate, there is always the risk of an accident. If this happens, you need to know your options for hiring an electric scooter accident lawyer.
Who Does an Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Help?
An accident attorney provides legal aid for those injured on account of the negligence or actions of another. If your e-scooter accident was the fault of another motorist or a pedestrian, the law may hold the individual responsible for the damages and expenses related to your accident. A lawyer will help you determine fair compensation for things like:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Emotional trauma
Getting into an accident is frightening. While you have the option to seek legal help and hold the offending party responsible, you also need to take care of yourself.
How Should You Respond After an Electric Scooter Accident?
Arizona laws are very specific about where you can operate your electric scooter. These are legal on both roads and bike paths, though there are limitations on speed and directions concerning compliance with posted road signs.
While you may obey the law, your ride could get interrupted by an out-of-control motorist or a pedestrian who jumps in front of your path. Here’s how to respond and prepare a case for an electric scooter accident lawyer.
Report the Accident
Even if it seems that the accident is minor, call the police to report the incident. Calling 911 will send the police as well as first responders who can address any injuries.
When the police arrive, you need to clearly explain the details about what took place. Don’t give an opinion or admit fault. Simply state the facts of what happened.
The police will file an official report, and you should get the number of the report and contact information from the responding officer. If an officer decides not to respond because of a lack of serious injuries or damage, you may have the option to report the incident yourself. Phoenix has an online police reporting system.
Get Medical Attention
If the accident caused injuries, you can request medical help when you call 911. If severe enough, an ambulance can transport you to a medical facility. Otherwise you should seek medical care on your own after you speak with law enforcement.
Many injuries don’t show symptoms until hours or even days after an accident. If you plan to hold the offending party accountable through an electric scooter accident lawyer, you need documentation showing you sought medical care within the first 24 hours of the incident.
Preserve Evidence
If it is safe to do so, collect evidence about the accident while you wait for the police to arrive. If there are injuries, take care of these first. Don’t get in the way of traffic. However, use your phone or pen and paper to record evidence about the accident. Details you should gather include:
- Name and contact information for all parties
- Insurance information, license plate numbers and driver’s license numbers for all parties
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Photographs or video recording of the scene, any property damage and injuries
The sooner you collect the evidence, the more it preserves the details of the case. Take a moment to either write down everything you remember about the incident or record a verbal statement on your phone.
What Can an Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Do?
By hiring a lawyer, you can help hold people responsible for their actions, especially if their actions caused you harm. If you were struck by a motorist, you could have a challenge on your hands when trying to get fair compensation from the insurance company.
Although a majority of scooter accidents involve other drivers on the road, a number of things could cause one, including other people. Actions don’t have to be malicious or intentional for someone to be responsible.
You have a right to hold any party accountable, where their act of negligence led to your accident. However, the law concerning fault can be complex. This is why it’s advised to work with a lawyer when seeking compensation. An electric scooter accident attorney can help with the following situations.
Driver Mistakes
Because Arizona law prohibits scooters from being ridden on sidewalks, riding on the road increases the risk of an accident. Motorists may not see the scooter when making a turn, or high speeds and other reckless behaviors could lead to a collision. When motorists act negligently, you could hold them accountable in court.
Manufacturer Defects
Every product has the potential to fail, and e-scooters are no exception. A unit malfunction can lead to serious injury to the rider. Flaws that impact how safely you can operate the scooter could lead to a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Some of the highest percentages of scooter malfunctions include:
- Electronics (controller, motor, circuits, dashboard): 32.17%
- Battery (very low range or battery dying): 19.56%
- Tires, wheels and fenders: 12.46%
- Folding mechanism: 5.18%
- Brake: 6.18%
- App: 1.53%
Scooter owners who find major defects in their product can bring a case against the manufacturer. However, since this could require out-of-state litigation, you need to talk to an electric scooter accident lawyer about your options.
Road Maintenance
As a scooter owner, you don’t always have much choice about where you can ride your scooter. Since roadways are a primary means of travel, there is an expectation that the city or country will adequately maintain the roadway for safe driving conditions. If this doesn’t happen and there are cracks, debris or potholes contributing to your accident, you may have a case against the associated municipality.
Where Can You Find a Qualified Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer?
If you are a victim of an electric scooter accident and you sustained injuries, the Sargon Law Group can help. Our attorneys have the litigation experience and success you are looking for in an electric scooter accident lawyer. Contact us today to find out more about our services.