Scooter Accidents

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.

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.

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.