Bird and Lime Scooter Accident Lawyer
If you live in southern California, you may be familiar with dockless, electric scooters. These electrical rental scooters can often be known as “rideshare scooters” or motorized scooters. Although immensely popular, these scooters have become an extremely controversial issue across many cities in the state.
Electric scooters are a fairly new method of rideshare transportation. Because of its popularity, dockless scooters continue to flood many streets throughout southern California. Accessing the scooters has been made easy and convenient: users are able to download an app and pay for the rental by connecting their banking information to the app. Once paid, the user can unlock and activate the electric scooter. The laws that protect your rights while riding a scotter are similar to those of cyclists and pedestrians, but there are some unique differences if you were injured in an accident involving a Bird or Lime scooter.
Electric scooters such as those provided by Bird or Lime can be taken and used anywhere. Once the operator has finished using the scooter, he or she can abandon the scooter anywhere. This feature, along with the nominal fees, has made electric scooters an attractive method of transportation for many people. Unfortunately, this accessibility has also caused several problematic situations for many.
Electric Scooter Operational Rules
When a consumer attempts to use an electric scooter from companies such as Bird or Lime, they will usually have to agree on certain operational rules on the app before being allowed to use the scooter. Before being able to use a scooter, the user will need to scan his or her driver’s license as well as agree to established guidelines. Among the rules indicated, most companies will direct the operator to wear a helmet when using a scooter.
Problems arise, however, when scooter users do not carry their own personal helmet and these companies fail to provide users with a helmet. Furthermore, electric scooter companies do not enforce these rules. While electric scooter companies encourage riders to abide by local and state laws as well as encourage them to practice safe riding, they do not oversee that this actually happens. Besides local law enforcement, there is very little regulation on ensuring that riders are using electric scooters safely.
State and Local Laws Regarding Electric Scooters
Since electric scooters and their rental service is a fairly new industry, there are few local and state laws that regulate how these companies should work. Additionally, there are minimal regulations when it comes to the recommended road rules that must be followed by electric scooter riders.
There are few communities that have taken proactive steps in regulating dock less scooters after scooter companies began to serve within their jurisdiction. Other communities have taken anticipatory efforts in ensuring that these scooters do not enter their city-limits. In spite of this, electric scooter companies will often continue to flood communities that have taken action against the installation of scooters in their jurisdiction. This is important to know because if a personal injury accident happens within a city that has banned these types of electric scooters, victims seeking compensation may find it difficult to hold a municipality liable for their losses.
Potential Dangers of Using Electric Scooters Such as Bird and Lime
Without a doubt, electric scooters offer many benefits and this is evident through their popularity. While electric scooter companies such as Bird and Lime offer fast transportation, a reduction in citywide traffic, and environmental friendliness, there are still various dangers that can be associated with their use.
Some of the most common concerns associated with electric scooters involve, but are not limited to the following:
The abandonment of electric scooters in random places – When an electric scooter is left in an unsystematic location, this can create dangerous conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers as well. People and cyclists in specific run the risk of tripping over the abandoned scooters, causing serious bodily harm.
Excessive speeds – While most scooters are set to a maximum speed of 15mph, these speeds can still cause serious injuries to inexperienced riders; pedestrians sharing a sidewalk with riders; bicyclists traveling at similar speeds; as well as auto drivers who suffer an accident after attempting to avoid an uncontrolled scooter user.
Using electric scooters on the sidewalk – Depending on a specific city or county, using an electric scooter on a sidewalk may be prohibited. When scooters are used in high-traffic areas, pedestrians are the most susceptible to suffer injures. Similarly, electric scooter users that are inexperienced can suffer injuries when using sidewalks that have obstructing trash bins, uneven pavement, or have street signs.
Auto Accidents – Regions that prohibit the use of electric scooters on sidewalks will demand that scooters be used on roadways. In effort of reducing collisions with pedestrians, electric scooter users will instead face the possibility of being involved in an accident with a moving vehicle. Unfortunately, placing electric scooters in the direct path of moving vehicles can cause serious injuries. Riders can face injuries such as traumatic head injuries, broken bones, catastrophic spine and back injuries, or cuts and abrasions.
What to Do if Involved in a Bird or Lime Scooter Accident
If you have been involved in a scooter accident as a Bird or Lime user, you should consider seeking the legal support of an experienced Bird or Lime scooter accident attorney. As an accident victim, you may be able to obtain financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained. A skilled personal injury attorney who has experienced in electric scooter accidents can help you identify the responsible party.
Attorney Scot Moga has over 25 Years of experience in the field of personal injury lawsuits. Have you been injured involving a rented electric scooter? Attorney Moga has dedicated his career to helping people who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of another’s negligence. When a person has suffered personal injuries, property damage, or even the loss of a quality of life because of another persons’ negligence, it is important to immediately seek the professional advice of an experienced attorney. A skilled attorney with the right experience will vigorously champion for the rights and interests of the injured victim.
Personal injury lawsuits involving electric scooters in California are subject to strict time limitations. If you have been injured after a negligent accident, obtain the support of a skilled attorney as soon as possible. Scot Moga always offers a FREE CONSULTATION.