Electric scooters are now a common sight in most major cities and college towns. They are fun to ride and a popular type of transportation. However, there are many potential dangers to riders and the result have been serious injury accidents.
Most states have specific laws pertaining to electric scooter. These include where the types of roads where they can be ridden, the legal age of permissible riders, and whether helmets are required protective equipment. They are often classified based upon their maximum speed and applicable laws stem from that feature.
Many accidents are due to the lack of experience of the operator and the inability to control the scooter. Others are due to negligence of a motor vehicle driver who was not paying attention to the roadway or ignored the rights of the operator. It is common for electric scooter accidents to be caused by drunk and distracted drivers as well, especially for late night accidents in large cities or on college campuses.
Further, road hazards and sidewalk defects are a major cause of these accidents. For example, the operator cannot always protect against potholes, raised sidewalks, cracks in the street, or other road hazards. The result is often the rider falling or flying off the scooter onto cement or even in front of a moving vehicle.
Many operators complain their accident was caused by a defective scooter. This could be a defective braking system or sudden, unexpected acceleration. The only way to prove such a defect is to preserve the scooter and have it tested by an experience engineer or reconstruction expert witness.
Serious injuries often result from these accidents. These include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and significant scars. There have also been numerous deaths reported across the United States for scooter accidents.
Lawsuits for scooter accidents are usually based on theories of negligence or product liability. To prove and win a case, the victim must prove fault against another individual or the manufacturer of the product. Police investigations and witness statements are essential for winning these cases.
The recoverable damages in these cases includes non-economic damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disability. Economic damages are also sought for financial losses like lost wages and medical expenses. In the tragic event of death, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
