Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Miami, FL
Have you recently been injured while riding an electric scooter in Miami? Do you think negligence was a factor? If so, please call an electrical scooter injury lawyer Miami, FL families trust. Call Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., today.
In Miami, electric scooters have become a popular way to get around the city. These modes of transportation are not only affordable, but they allow people to drop them off within a zoned location. Although they are undoubtedly convenient, there are concerns about whether they are safe and practical as a whole. Officials, as well as residents, have voiced some of these concerns over the last few years with the primary one being that they are treated like a toy. These reckless actions have led to a number of accidents involving riders, pedestrians, and drivers of vehicles.
The Hazards of Electric Scooters
As a leading electrical scooter injury lawyer in Miami, FL, we know of a number of cases that involve injured riders, as well as cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers of vehicles. Many of these cases have involved:
- A young child riding the scooter
- A rider without a helmet
- Two people riding the scooter at the same time
- Loss of control of the scooter
- Hitting an obstacle
- Swerving on bike paths or other designated paths
- Failure to signal
- Failure to pay attention
- Abandoning the scooter in an unsafe area
- A faulty scooter
When the scooter accident involves negligence, a Miami, FL electrical scooter injury lawyer should be consulted.
The Risks of Electric Scooters
Electric scooters in Miami only go about 15 to 18 miles per hour. Although it doesn’t seem fast, it is possible for the rider to sustain serious, even life threatening injuries. There are a number of scientific studies which demonstrate the impact of the body at this kind of speed. If a car is involved, the injuries will almost certainly be worse. Part of the reason for serious injuries to occur is the lack of protection; thus, the body will take most of the impact. Furthermore, riders are not required to wear a helmet, this increases the risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury. Some additional risks of an electric scooter include:
- There is limited visibility to other drivers
- It is possible for the scooters to be vandalized; thus result in a faulty product
- Most riders are under 25 and have high risk behaviors
- Small debris on the road can cause a collision
- If the front brake is locked, it might result in the rider being thrown over the scooter
- Many riders do not have the necessary experience
In addition to the above risks, we know of cases involving a defective scooter. As a personal injury lawyer Miami, FL has to offer, there have been incidents in which the scooter company failed to maintain their scooters. Brake failure, broken parts, and faulty gears are just some ways in which the scooter can malfunction.
Personal injury claims related to electric scooters are limited because these devices are relatively new. The laws and precedents are equally limited; however, what you should know is that if negligence is a factor, compensation may be available. If you would like to learn One of the newest and most dangerous transportation crazes is the rentable electric scooter, a trend which has many accident victims seeking the help of an electric scooter accident lawyer, Miami FL relies upon. While these vehicles are fun to use, they can cause serious injury to both riders and anyone who encounters those riders.
Riders Injured when Equipment is Defective or Malfunctions
The term “battery powered” no longer means “under-powered.” These little scooters are surprisingly quick, and riders aren’t always ready for a sudden acceleration. But the most serious problems occur when the scooters malfunction during or just before a ride. Dangerous scenarios can include:
· Brakes that do not work at all or don’t fully stop the vehicle, causing the rider to veer into traffic or into a wall/stationary object
· Brakes that are too sensitive or that lock up, throwing the rider off the vehicle
· Loose wheels that can fall off during a ride, sending the rider crashing to the ground or into traffic
· Batteries that overheat and explode, causing a fire and perhaps burning the rider
As a personal injury lawyer Miami, FL trusts can tell you, the companies that offer these scooters for rent often do a poor job warning users of the risks or encouraging them to wear helmets and other critical safety equipment. When a rider is harmed due to any of the problems mentioned above, he or she may be able to hold the company liable for negligence.
Reckless Riders can Cause Injury to Other Travelers
Even if a scooter is in perfect working condition, it can still cause serious injuries because of the way it is being used or stored. Riders are responsible to operate these vehicles safely and owe a duty of care to other travelers using roads and sidewalks. Common accident scenarios can include:
· Riders traveling on sidewalks and colliding with pedestrians, bicyclists and others
· Riders zipping through an intersection with no warning, causing oncoming cars to slam on their brakes and veer out of the way
· Riders riding too close to certain pedestrians who cannot get out of the way, such as those in wheelchairs or those pushing baby strollers
· Riders leaving scooters strewn across the sidewalk when finished, creating tripping and injury hazards for others
In most of these cases, the riders themselves could be held liable for the injuries they cause. In certain cases, the company could also be held liable for the actions of riders, but that would need to be investigated on a case-by-case basis. If you decided to pursue litigation, the initial filing may name multiple defendants to help your attorney better investigate the cause of the accident and who may have been liable.
Get Help from an Attorney Today
If you’ve been seriously injured on or by an electric scooter, the experienced Florida legal team at Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., is here for you. We can fully investigate your case and help you seek the compensation you need and deserve. To get started, reach out to a Miami, FL electric scooter accident lawyer at our firm today to learn more.