Electric scooters have quickly taken over the urban landscapes of cities throughout California. Companies like Lime and Bird have placed dockless e-scooters throughout different cities. People can unlock an e-scooter to use with an app on their smartphones and then ride them to get where they want to go. Unfortunately, the rise of e-scooters has resulted in serious accidents. If you have been injured in an accident with an e-scooter, you may have legal rights. A scooter accident lawyer Porter Ranch at the Valley Accident Lawyers can review the facts of your case and explain your legal options.
Why e-scooters can be dangerous
Scooter accidents are not new. However, the number of accidents has significantly increased since the introduction of e-scooters. There has been a corresponding increase in the number of accidents and injuries involving scooters since the release of shareable e-scooters in cities across California. Many of the people who rent e-scooters have never ridden them before. The companies also do not provide helmets for rent with the scooters, and few people bring their own. This means that inexperienced e-scooter riders may drive next to motor vehicles at speeds of 15 miles per hour without helmets, increasing their risk of serious injuries or fatalities.
E-scooter riders may also cause accidents with pedestrians and cyclists when they ride their scooters on bicycle and walking paths. Motorists might not notice e-scooters since they are smaller and less visible in traffic. Distracted drivers may also crash into e-scooter riders when they take their eyes off the road to glance at their electronic devices or smartphones. Finally, some drivers become frustrated by e-scooter riders and act in aggressive ways that endanger their lives. Dangerous driver actions can cause e-scooter accidents that result in life-threatening injuries.
Determining liability in an e-scooter accident
Determining liability in an e-scooter accident is important for recovering compensation. Several parties might be at-fault for causing e-scooter accidents. When an attorney identifies which parties hold liability, he or she
can gather evidence to strengthen a client’s claim.
To prove a negligence claim in an e-scooter accident, the plaintiff will need to present evidence that establishes by a preponderance of the evidence each of the following elements:
- Duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff
- The defendant’s violation of the duty
- Causation of the accident and injuries by the breach
- Harm suffered by the plaintiff
An experienced attorney understands the types of evidence that might be needed to prove the elements of negligence, which might increase the likelihood of recovery.
Several parties may be liable in a scooter accident claim, including the driver, an e-scooter operator, the scooter company, or a product manufacturer. A driver may be liable if he or she engaged in negligent conduct that caused the accident. An e-scooter operator may be liable for accidents in which a pedestrian or bicyclist was injured because of the e-scooter operator’s reckless actions. The scooter company might be liable if the scooter was in a defective or dangerous condition. Finally, of a defective component on the e-scooter caused the accident, the manufacturer may be liable.
It is common for cases to involve the shared fault of several parties. An attorney can carefully review and analyze the evidence to identify all of the at-fault parties. This can help to ensure that a victim can recover maximum damages for the losses that he or she has suffered.
Why you should hire an attorney
Insurance companies do whatever it takes to reduce or avoid liability in scooter accident claims. An experienced attorney can anticipate some of the tactics and defenses that an insurance company might employ and build a strong case to counter them. Focusing on legal issues while you are trying to recover from your injuries can be overwhelming. When you hire an attorney, the lawyer can take care of all of the legal matters for you and help you to prove the fault of the responsible parties.
Get help from a scooter accident lawyer Porter Ranch
The attorneys at the Valley Accident Lawyers are experienced in handling many different types of personal injury cases, including those involving e-scooters. Working with one of our lawyers might help you to recover damages for your losses. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation by calling us at (818) 565-6600.
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If you or a loved one has been injured, you will want a top rated San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney that understands how to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Our pledge is to be your partner, and provide passionate, yet skillful legal representation needed to win your case. Contact our highly trained personal injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation.