Scooter Accident Lawyer
Speak To An Attorney
meet our Attorneys
Kansas City has become a hotspot for rented electric scooters, offering a convenient and budget-friendly way to travel across the city. With companies like Bird and Lime leading the charge, these electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, are readily available through mobile apps. However, if you’ve been involved in a scooter accident—whether it’s a Bird scooter accident, Lime scooter accident, or another type of electric scooter accident—it’s important to understand your rights and the complexities involved.
Our Proven Results
When To Hire A Scooter Accident Attorney
Immediate Aftermath of the Accident
If you’ve been involved in a scooter accident, it’s crucial to consider legal representation as soon as possible. Immediately after the incident, while details are fresh and evidence is readily available, contacting a scooter accident lawyer can be invaluable. They can guide you through the process of documenting the scene, collecting witness statements, and preserving critical evidence.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
When insurance companies get involved, having a lawyer becomes even more important. Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. A skilled scooter accident lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you’re not taken advantage of during this vulnerable time.
Severe Injuries or Long-Term Impacts
Complex Liability Cases
Scooter accidents often involve complex liability issues. Multiple parties may be at fault, including the scooter company, other motorists, or even local municipalities. A knowledgeable scooter accident lawyer can navigate these complexities, identifying all potentially liable parties and building a strong case on your behalf.
If you have been involved in an electric scooter accident, contact our scooter accident lawyers today to schedule a consultation and discuss how we can support you in addressing the challenges and complexities of your case.
Common Causes Of Scooter Accidents
Electric scooter accidents have seen a notable increase in recent years, reflecting their growing popularity in urban transportation. According to recent data, the rate of injuries from electric scooter accidents has risen significantly, with a substantial number involving head injuries, fractures, and contusions. Studies indicate that riders are at higher risk due to factors such as inadequate safety gear, high-speed collisions, and interactions with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A scooter accident lawyer can help identify and establish liability for issues such as poor road conditions or inadequate infrastructure, often involving negotiations with municipalities or property owners. If a malfunction or defect in the scooter contributed to the accident, a lawyer can work with product liability experts to pursue claims against manufacturers or repair services. Additionally, they can assist in gathering evidence, such as traffic camera footage or witness testimonies, to address cases involving negligent behavior from other road users. By navigating the complexities of these legal issues, a scooter accident lawyer ensures that victims receive appropriate compensation and that systemic problems contributing to accidents are highlighted and addressed.
Rider Inexperience
Infrastructure and Environmental Hazards
Mechanical Failures & Maintenance Issues
Conflicts With Other Road Users
Scooter Accident Injuries To Watch For
When involved in an e-scooter accident, it’s crucial to be aware of potential injuries that may not be immediately apparent. Electric scooter accidents can result in a range of harm, from minor scrapes to severe trauma. Here are some common injuries to watch for after a Bird scooter accident or Lime scooter accident:
Head and Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant concern in scooter accidents. Even if you were wearing a helmet, it’s essential to monitor for symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or confusion. Concussions can have delayed onset, so vigilance is key.
Fractures and Soft Tissue Damage: Broken bones, sprains, and strains are frequent outcomes of e-scooter accidents. Pay attention to persistent pain, swelling, or limited range of motion in your extremities. Wrist and ankle injuries are particularly common due to falls.
Road Rash and Infections: Skin abrasions from contact with the road surface can lead to road rash. While it may seem minor, these injuries can become infected if not properly cleaned and treated. Watch for signs of infection such as increased redness, warmth, or pus.
Remember, some injuries may not manifest immediately. If you’ve been in a scooter accident, consult with a medical professional and consider contacting a scooter accident lawyer to protect your rights.
Filing A Scooter Accident Claim
If for some reason an incident does occur and an electric scooter ride is injured, the individual should contact a personal injury attorney to know their rights. Both Bird and Lime agreements include arbitration provisions in their user agreements. These provisions generally require riders to resolve any disputes through binding arbitration rather than going to court. These types of clauses can make pursuing claims for injuries or damages more complicated, especially for those unfamiliar with the arbitration process.
Both electric scooter companies also generally include a class action waiver limiting any dispute to be handled as an individual capacity and not as a class action or other representative action. By signing the agreement, you could be waiving your right to file a class action or seek relief on a class basis against Bird or Lime.
However, Bird does offer 30 days from the effective date of your first use to opt out of their class action waiver. The format of which request should be submitted is outlined under the “Right to Opt Out” section of the Bird “Rental Agreement.”
What To Know Before Signing A Motorized Scooter Rental Agreement
The “Waiver and Release of Liability” customers are required to sign before using electric scooters attempts to provide a full release of any liability for the company and its employees. By signing the agreement, a rider may be forfeiting his or her right to pursue Bird or Lime for injury or death arising from the use of the scooter or failure to wear a helmet, and even if the scooter malfunctions or is otherwise “properly maintained.”
The agreement also imposes upon the rider an obligation to perform a “safety check” before using the scooter and attempts to release the rental company from any mechanical failure the rider may experience. Be sure to review the full rental agreement before your rent a motorized scooter from Bird or Lime.