ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT LAWYER
IN BOCA RATON, FLORIDA
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

If you were involved in an electric scooter accident, it is important that you get an attorney involved as soon as possible. The Whisler Law Firm has the expertise to protect your rights in this type of personal injury case, which is becoming all the more common as these scooters reach new markets around the country.

Electric scooters have become a popular mode of public transportation in major cities around the country. These single-rider alternatives to buses, trains, and ridesharing are cropping up in more towns every day as they offer an affordable option for getting around.

But while these personal mobility vehicles are fast and easy to use, they can also pose serious threats of injury to riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians if not operated responsibly. Individuals who are using a sidewalk, a bike lane, or a crosswalk should feel safe knowing they won’t collide with a scooter, but in the event something like this does occur, your insurance company may or may not be there for you.

Reckless scooter operators can be a real nuisance to public safety and if you or someone you know has been the victim of a scooter accident, it’s important to know which party is liable in the incident and how to get compensated for any injuries that may have been sustained as a result.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER OPERATOR

A rider has an obligation to operate an electric scooter in a manner that is safe and within compliance of the law. When an individual downloads and uses a scooter company app, that person is entering into an agreement in which he or she understands that obligation and is accepting some inherent level of risk that comes with riding this type of vehicle.

Riders can reach speeds of nearly 20mph which makes operating a scooter on sidewalks very dangerous. Most cities have statutes that prohibit an electric scooter from being used anywhere but on the road, therefore a rider must obey the same rules and regulations as motor vehicle operators since they will be sharing the roads with automobiles, trucks, and bicyclists. As a result, any individual operating an electric scooter must have a valid driver’s license in order to ride.

In addition, many laws enforce helmet use with fines prescribed for any rider who may be caught operating a scooter without the proper protective head gear. Most cities also limit the number of riders per scooter to one person only.

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

In 2019, there were roughly 1500 electric scooter-related accidents in the United States. Two of the most common such incidents are a rider falling or being thrown from a scooter while it’s moving or colliding with another person or object. There is a high potential for injury in these and other such instances, particularly if the scooter is moving at top speed.

There are many reasons for a scooter accident to occur, including excessive speed, distracted or reckless driving, use of sidewalks or other restricted areas, and failing to obey the law. When any of these components are a contributing factor in a scooter accident, injuries can happen and become financially burdensome for victims of negligence. Expenses can start to pile up in the form of medical costs, lost wages, physical and emotional trauma, and additional costs related to the accident.

DETERMINING LIABILITY IN AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT

Since there are so many potential contributing factors to an electric scooter accident, it can be very tough to determine which party is ultimately liable. The type of accident could point to some clues as to why the accident occurred and who is at fault.

Due to the obligation of the rider to operate the scooter in a safe manner at all times, liability for an accident often falls on that individual. They may have been operating the scooter unsafely or failed to obey the rules of the road. If a rider is intoxicated at the time of the accident, then it could very well be an open and shut case.

Located in Boca Raton, Florida, our Personal Injury Lawyers are at your disposal for all questions.

Contact us today for a free consultation and make sure you are paid what you deserve.

Since liability is tough to determine in a scooter accident, that can make it very difficult to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Attempting to figure out who is responsible is never something you should do on your own. Always hire the right legal team with the expertise in representing victims of electric scooter accidents. Doing so can severely impact your ability to receive the compensation you deserve or any compensation at all.

However, there could be other liable parties who may hold some responsibility in the incident. In the event that a rider is obeying all posted traffic laws and is hit by an automobile, that driver could be held liable for the accident. If a rider is thrown from his or her scooter through no fault of their own and no other vehicles or objects are present, it could be the city’s fault that rider was injured. Poor road maintenance could have been the reason why the rider was injured in the incident.

A bicyclist could have collided with a scooter rider and the fault could lie with one or both parties due to the nature of the accident that occurred and who was injured.

Sometimes, the scooter company could be the liable party in an accident. Placing any product for use by the general public puts some level of responsibility on the company to ensure safety. Unfortunately, these scooters can take a beating from riders who are careless or in a hurry. That can lead to accelerated levels of wear and tear and the result is a malfunction with the scooter.

A brake or throttle may not work property, a battery could be low, the frame of the scooter may have been compromised in some way, all of these could result in an accident and injuries being sustained.