Scooters are a convenient and cost-effective way to travel around New York City — and they are growing in popularity. In fact, NYC DOT’s scooter-sharing pilot program was recently launched with 3,000 e-scooters available for use in the East Bronx.
But whether they are electric or operated manually, scooters are not without risk. When a scooter rider or another with whom they share the roadway is negligent, serious accidents can arise causing debilitating injuries and lifelong disability. If you or a loved one has been in a scooter accident, there are several parties who may be held responsible in a personal injury action.
Causes of Scooter Accidents
There can be many causes of scooter accidents — and unfortunately, these incidents are not uncommon. According to Consumer Reports, there were 1,500 e-scooter accidents nationwide between 2017 and 2019.
Some common causes of scooter accidents include:
- Careless behavior — Speeding and reckless operation of a scooter can cause serious injuries. If you were fully at fault for your injuries, you would not be entitled to pursue a personal injury action. But if the careless behavior of a pedestrian or another motorist caused the accident, you may be able to recover compensation in a lawsuit.
- Mechanical defects — Sometimes, scooter accidents are caused by a problem with the mechanics of the scooter such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or a malfunctioning fuel system. If a manufacturer knew about a defect and failed to remedy it, they may be held responsible for the accident.
- Negligent motorists — If a vehicle operator is distracted, fails to observe their surroundings, or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may be held liable for negligence in a scooter accident.
- Road hazards — A municipality may be held accountable if a dangerous road condition such as a pothole caused the accident if it had notice of the problem but failed to remedy it.
- Scooter charger defects — If scooter chargers are defective, they can increase the risk of fire or explosion, leading to burn injuries or even fatality.
Depending upon the circumstances of the scooter accident — and who should be held accountable for any resulting injuries — you may be eligible to file a claim under several legal theories. For instance, if a manufacturer failed to ensure their products were safe, you may be able to bring a products liability lawsuit. In the event the scooter accident occurred due to another’s failure to keep their property safe, you may be able to assert premises liability.
Compensation for Scooter Accident Injuries
Scooter accidents can cause a wide range of severe injuries, including fractures, lacerations, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, broken teeth, nerve damage, internal bleeding, and road burns. In the most serious cases, they can also cause paralysis, permanent disability, disfigurement, or fatality. If you were injured in a scooter accident because of someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
If you can establish that someone else’s negligence caused your scooter injuries, you may recover your unreimbursed medical expenses, hospital bills, and the costs associated with physical therapy or other medical treatment. You may also be compensated for the lost wages you incurred due to being out of work and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the accident. Significantly, by filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may also be entitled to compensation for the physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life you experienced due to your scooter accident injuries.
Additionally, the spouse and dependents of a scooter accident victim who passed away as a result of their scooter accident injuries may be eligible to receive compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
After a scooter accident, it’s crucial to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can protect your rights and secure the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has more than 30 years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims — and obtaining favorable outcomes in their cases.
Those injured in scooter accidents may be entitled to compensation if it is due to another’s negligence. Contact a personal injury lawyer today to learn about your options.The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland County, and on Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Contact us for a consultation.