St. Petersburg Motor Scooter Accident Lawyer
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.
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.
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.
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.
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