Electric scooters are part of the emerging micro-mobility trend, which seeks to make it easier and more affordable to traverse large, sprawling cities. But riding an electric scooter doesn’t come without risk.
Unfortunately, dozens of individuals around the country have already been hurt by these devices, and that number will likely rise as electric scooter use increases. If you’ve been injured in an electric scooter accident, here is what you should know about filing a lawsuit for the harm you suffered.
Lawsuits After Electric Scooter Accidents
As for any other person injured on the road, riders who are hurt in electric scooter accidents have legal rights. If you are injured, the nature of your rights will depend on how precisely your accident happened.
A Negligent Motorist, Bicyclist, or Pedestrian
When you are involved in an electric scooter accident caused by someone else, you have the right to bring a lawsuit against that person. This includes:
- Drivers who are drunk or distracted
- Pedestrians who step out in front of you
- Bicyclists who do not yield the right-of-way when required
- Others whose actions cause or contribute to an electric scooter accident
A successful injury claim could compensate you for any medical bills you incurred. You would also be entitled to seek compensation for the time you missed from work, any emotional or mental trauma you suffered, and any other expense related to the accident.
A Defective Scooter
A more complicated situation arises when you are injured as a result of a malfunctioning or defective electric scooter. If the defect is due to how the manufacturer designed or constructed the electric scooter, a product liability case might be brought against the manufacturer.
For example, suppose that an electric scooter’s battery caught fire and caused you severe burns. If it was discovered that the battery was not an appropriate choice to power the scooter, it could result in liability for the scooter’s manufacturer and, possibly, the battery’s manufacturer.
An Irresponsible Rental Company
Sometimes, the scooter itself is not defective, but a rental company that owns it has failed to repair it or remove a dangerous scooter from service.
Scooter rental companies often have terms of service establishing that you assume all risk of injury by riding their scooters, and they are not responsible for any harm you suffer while using their scooters.
Nevertheless, several class action lawsuits have been filed against scooter rental companies like Lime and Bird, alleging that they should be held legally responsible for accidents caused by their failure to maintain their scooters in good working order.
Contact an Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Today
No matter the circumstances of your electric scooter accident, recovering compensation is crucial and complicated. The dedicated team at Steinberg Injury Lawyers stays abreast of emerging legal trends relating to electric scooter accident lawsuits to ensure we can always present you with the best options for your case going forward.
Contact Steinberg Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free 24/7 consultation and discuss your rights.
