Shared electric scooters are a relatively new convenience in urban areas. They offer a cheap and environmentally friendly ride when you need to go somewhere but don’t have a car or don’t want to walk. With that being said, an accident involving an electric scooter can be damaging to anyone involved so establishing the liable party is important. Speak to a skilled Pike County, KY auto accident lawyer for representation and advice in your e-scooter accident case.
Why Does it Matter Who is Liable?
Identifying the liable party in an electric scooter accident is important so they can be held accountable for their actions. Any type of accident, including one involving an electric scooter, has the capacity to cause serious damage. A victim of an accident can sustain:
- Serious injury
- Extensive medical bills
- Property damage
- Loss of income and wages
- Mental and emotional distress
When the responsible party is identified, they will likely be responsible for covering the costs that any victims incur from the accident.
What Kind of Injuries Can Occur From an Electric Scooter Accident?
Some may find it surprising how extensive the injuries from an electric scooter accident can be. However, it is an electric vehicle that can reach speeds of 15 to 25 miles per hour. If an accident occurs, the scooter rider, a pedestrian, or anyone else involved can sustain serious injuries including the following.
- Cuts
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Road rash/burns
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Concussion
- Head and neck injury
- Spinal cord injury
Again, because of the potential for serious injury, it is important to identify the liable party in the accident.
Who is Liable For an Electric Scooter Accident?
Liability can be difficult to determine depending on the specifics of the circumstances. In general, anyone who was there can potentially be liable, and even some entities who were not present.
The scooter rider can be found liable if they were negligent or reckless and caused a collision or accident. Another scooter rider, bike rider, or pedestrian could have caused the accident for the same reasons.
The driver of a car or other motor vehicle could also be liable. For example, if the electric scooter rider was crossing an intersection using a bike lane or acceptable walking light and a car turned and hit them, they can be held responsible for the damages.
The local government could also be found responsible if the area’s infrastructure was a main contributing factor in the accident. Potholes, cracks, uneven sidewalks, unruly vines or roots, and more could have caused a scooter to tip or the driver to lose control or be launched from the vehicle. If the government’s lack of city maintenance caused the accident, they may be liable for compensation.
Another entity that may be responsible is the electric scooter company themselves. If an issue with the scooter or its hardwiring resulted in the accident then they are probably liable. If any of the following was true at the time of the accident the company may be responsible for damages.
- The handlebars were loose or broken
- The brakes activated suddenly without warning
- The brakes failed
- The throttle was sticking
- The battery caught fire
- The wheels were not properly aligned
- The scooter stopped or ran out of power abruptly
For more information and representation contact an auto accident lawyer at Shane Hall Attorney at Law, PLLC today.
