Electric scooters—also known as dockless scooters or e-scooters—are an increasingly popular way to move around cities and towns. You can either own one yourself or rent them to get around cities or towns. They let people move around quickly and efficiently, using existing sidewalks and bike lanes. They are low-pollution, do not increase traffic, and are easy to use.
As e-scooter use has increased, so has the number of accidents. When you are injured in an electric scooter accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Meet with a Goodlettsville scooter accident lawyer at Ponce Law to learn more about your legal rights and options. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys today.
The term scooter can mean various things. It can refer to vehicles similar to small motorcycles, such as Vespa scooters that are electric or have gas engines. Depending on their engine capacity, they may be treated like motorcycles under state law. People also refer to personal mobility devices as scooters. These devices resemble ride-on motorcycles and are commonly used by older people or people with mobility challenges. They are rechargeable and, depending on their battery capacity, may be able to travel several miles on a single charge.
However, dockless scooters refer to a completely different type of vehicle. They are similar to kick scooters in that they stand up and have electric engines that propel them forward as the rider stands on a large center deck. In other words, e-scooters somewhat resemble a skateboard with a control stick.
It is important for your lawyer to understand the type of scooter that was involved in your accident in Goodlettsville. Generally, the law treats e-scooter accidents like pedestrian accidents. Likewise, mobility device scooters fall under the same umbrella. However, electric scooters resembling motorcycles may be more like bicycles, motorcycles, or pedestrians, depending on their engine capacity and usage. A knowledgeable attorney at Ponce Law could direct you on the best course of action to obtain the compensation you deserve after your crash.
Scooters bring new types of risks to public spaces. For example:
Since scooters can frequently exceed speeds higher than 10 miles per hour, these collisions can result in injuries. Most scooter accidents result in injuries to the rider, which usually stem from two main causes. The first is automobile accidents. Just like other pedestrians, drivers often fail to keep an eye out for scooter riders, resulting in accidents. Secondly, manufacturing or maintenance defects can cause issues like brake failure or a stuck accelerator.
Getting compensation after a scooter accident can be a challenge. If a motor vehicle is involved and the driver is at fault, their insurance may cover damages. However, if there is not a driver involved, there may be no insurance to claim from, even if a court awards damages. Fortunately, depending on the type of accident you were in, there are oftentimes more than one party you can assign blame and claim financial restitution from, such as:
An experienced scooter accident attorney in Goodlettsville could help determine potential parties to hold responsible based on your unique case.
Some attorneys shy away from personal injury cases that may be complex or might not involve insurance companies. At Ponce Law, we believe in the concept of justice for all. Our attorneys could help you seek justice and compensation from someone who has caused you harm. Schedule a consultation with a Goodlettsville scooter accident lawyer at our firm to learn more.