As densely-populated urban areas grapple with issues of population growth and an abundance of traffic, many officials have started offering residents greener solutions for traveling short distances. Across the state, electric scooters are available for residents to rent and pay-by-the-minute. They can be found almost anywhere nowadays. These e-scooters give people who live downtown an incentive to walk and ride to places instead of taking their cars.
E-scooters have transformed cities all over Florida, and they’re expected to change transportation in St. Petersburg, FL. While many look forward to a fun way to get around, scooters have already raised safety concerns. People have become hurt and even killed in scooter accidents. Often, riders are unaware of the proper way to ride a scooter and ignore basic precautions.
Even if you follow all the rules on an e-scooter, you can become a victim and suffer injuries in a scooter accident. Many times, drivers are unprepared to share the road with people on scooters and fail to yield the right-of-way. Similar to motorcyclists, scooter riders in St. Petersburg can have a hard time gaining visibility on the road.
If you’ve been hurt in a scooter accident in St. Petersburg, you can trust attorney Frank P. Marsalisi to examine all the details of your case and fight for justice. Personal injury cases involving e-scooters are new and novel cases with little existing precedent. For the best chance of success, trust our scooter accident team to handle your case.
What are the Risks of Riding a Motor Scooter in the City?
Not surprisingly, these small transportation devices pose numerous risks. One of the top concerns is that many people simply do not know the proper way to ride an e-scooter. Others do not follow basic safety precautions. Scooters are unstable by design and lack safety features. Although riding a helmet is suggested and definitely recommended, transportation companies like Lime, Byrd, and Bolt do not provide helmets for scooter rentals. These companies also do not regulate the use of helmets as a condition to use their vehicles.
Anyone with a smartphone can use e-scooters whether they’ve ever ridden a scooter before or not. Perhaps it’s not shocking that about one-third of e-scooter riders are injured on their first ride. It’s also common for first-time users to land in the hospital due to these injuries.
Common Injuries Among e-Scooter Riders
Head injuries and bone fractures are prevalent among e-scooter riders who sustain injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Austin Public Health Department conducted a study in 2018 on how riders get hurt on e-scooters and why. They identified 190 riders who got hurt on e-scooters and then sought emergency medical treatment. According to the study, 48% of the injured sustained head injuries and 15% suffered a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Six of the 190 people suffered head fractures.
Bone fractures were found to be the second-most common injury among e-scooter riders. The arms, knees, face, and hands were the hardest-hit parts of the body. About one-third of the group of 190 suffered a broken bone. Of all the people studied, only 1 wore a helmet during his ride.
The Role of Local Infrastructure in Scooter Accidents
St. Petersburg’s roads and sidewalks were not designed with e-scooters in mind, creating hazards that can lead to serious personal injury accidents. Uneven pavement, potholes, and sudden changes in surface elevation can easily throw a scooter rider off balance. Poor lighting in some areas makes visibility difficult for both riders and drivers, especially at night. Construction zones, street repairs, and temporary barriers can force scooter riders into dangerous situations without adequate warning.
The city has a responsibility to maintain safe road conditions for all users. When infrastructure defects cause accidents, government entities may share liability for resulting injuries. Claims against government bodies follow different procedures than standard personal injury cases, including shorter notification deadlines. These cases require knowledge of sovereign immunity exceptions and the specific requirements for municipal claims. If unsafe road conditions contributed to your St. Petersburg accident, our office evaluates whether municipal negligence played a role and guides you through the government claims process.
Know Florida’s Motor Scooter Laws Before you Ride
Most people who use e-scooters are not aware of Florida’s scooter laws. These laws are very similar to general traffic laws but may also vary according to the County or City they are ridden. Below are some of the laws and restrictions for riding e-scooters in Florida:
- Scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and must have a valid driver’s license;
- Riders must obey all traffic laws;
- Depending on the local laws, riders may not be able to ride the scooters on the roads or sidewalks;
- Riders must share the road with other vehicles like cars, bikes, and motorcycles;
- Riders must obey all road signs, such as traffic lights and stop signs;
- Riders may not carry passengers while operating a motorized scooter;
- Riders must signal actions like braking and turning.
A big mistake that riders make when using e-scooters is riding two people to one scooter. This is dangerous and it’s also against the law. Like cyclists, riders must use arm motions to signal when they will stop and turn unless the scooter is equipped with signals and brake lights. Signaling on a scooter may also create instability on the scooter since it requires you to take your hand off the handlebars. Riders must also stay to the right-hand side of the road unless they’re avoiding a road hazard or turning left.
Steps to Take After an E-Scooter Accident in St. Petersburg
Taking the right steps immediately after a scooter accident can protect your health and strengthen your personal injury claim. Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention right away. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries from car accidents or e-scooter injuries from collisions do not appear until later. Early medical documentation is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a St. Petersburg scooter accident case.
Protecting your rights after a scooter accident requires careful attention to several important steps:
- Seek medical care: Visit an urgent care clinic, ER, or your doctor as soon as possible, even if injuries seem minor at first.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the scooter, vehicles involved, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Gather witness information: Collect names and contact details from anyone who saw the accident.
- Exchange information: Obtain the driver’s insurance details if a vehicle was involved.
- File a police report: Create an official record of the incident with law enforcement.
- Preserve evidence: Keep the scooter if possible, as it may become crucial to your case.
- Limit discussions: Avoid talking about fault or posting about the accident on social media.
These steps help preserve key evidence and create a strong foundation for your personal injury claim.
Who is liable for my injuries if I get hurt on an e-scooter in St. Petersburg?
Several parties may be legally responsible for your injuries if you’re hurt on an e-scooter. These cases can become complex relatively quickly, so it’s best to allow an experienced e-scooter accident lawyer to help you take the best course of action.
It may be possible to file a claim against the following parties:
- Another motorist;
- Another motorist’s insurance company;
- Your insurance company;
- The e-scooter company;
- The e-scooter manufacturer;
- A business owner;
- The city of St. Petersburg;
Your chances of being successful can increase significantly with quality legal representation. If you’re seeking a St. Petersburg scooter accident lawyer, talk to Frank.
How E-Scooter Companies Limit Their Liability
Rental scooter companies like Lime, Bird, and Bolt often include language in their user agreements that attempts to shield them from liability when riders are injured. They frequently claim they are merely “technology platforms” rather than transportation providers. However, Florida law does not always allow businesses to escape liability through fine print. If a company fails to maintain its scooters properly or places them in dangerous locations, it may still be held responsible for resulting injuries.
Scooter companies have a duty to ensure their vehicles are safe before making them available to the public. Equipment failures, including brake issues, steering defects, and battery malfunctions, may lead to company liability. Poor maintenance practices can include failing to regularly inspect scooters, failing to repair known problems, or keeping damaged vehicles in circulation. If equipment failure played a role in your accident, our firm investigates whether poor maintenance or corporate negligence contributed to your injuries.
How Insurance Coverage Works for E-Scooter Accidents
Insurance coverage in e-scooter accident cases can be complex because multiple policies may apply depending on how the crash occurred. If you were hit by a motor vehicle while riding, your own auto insurance typically provides the first layer of coverage. Florida requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which may pay a portion of your medical bills regardless of fault. If you do not carry PIP, we may be able to pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance for initial coverage. However, PIP benefits are limited and often do not fully compensate victims with significant injuries.
In addition to auto insurance, several other policies may help cover your losses. Your health insurance may pay for accident-related medical treatment. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it may apply even though you were not inside a vehicle at the time of the collision. Some homeowners and renters insurance policies include personal liability provisions that extend to bicycle and scooter-related injuries. The scooter rental company may also maintain liability insurance, although coverage varies widely between providers.
Because no two cases are the same, we conduct a thorough analysis of every available insurance policy to identify all possible sources of compensation and ensure you pursue the maximum recovery available under Florida law.
Comparative Negligence in Florida E-Scooter Cases
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system, which can affect your ability to recover monetary damages after an e-scooter accident. Under this legal framework, your recovery may be reduced if you share some responsibility for the accident. However, you can still pursue a claim as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. Even if you made an error while riding, you may still have a valid claim as long as another party’s negligence primarily caused the crash. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto scooter riders to reduce their payout obligations. They frequently claim riders were speeding, distracted, or violating traffic rules to reduce the value of your case. These arguments aim to increase your percentage of fault and decrease the amount they must pay. Having strong legal representation helps counter these tactics and protect your right to full compensation. We work to establish that the negligent driver, company, or property owner caused your injuries, a critical factor in maximizing your final settlement or recovery.
Come Out on Top With a “Top 40 Under 40” Lawyer in St. Petersburg
Don’t hesitate to consider all your options for recourse after sustaining an injury on an e-scooter. Find out how Frank P. Marsalisi can help your case with a free consultation. Frank has been rated one of 2019’s “Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Petersburg.” He has vast experience representing personal injury victims due to the negligence of others. With Frank on your side, you can rest assured you will receive valuable case updates and personal attention throughout the entire claims process.
At Marsalisi Law, our goal is to help you receive the compensation you deserve so you can return to the quality of life you once enjoyed. Call 727-800-5052 or complete our contact form. You will not pay us until we win your case. At Marsalisi Law, this is Where Law Gets Personal.