Once electric scooters or eScooters hit the streets of St. Petersburg, they’ll be all the rage in transportation. More people than ever are riding scooters to avoid driving in congested and walkable areas. They’re effective for completing that last mile to your destination; however, the more people use them, the more at-risk they are for a scooter accident.
In cities where scooters are abundant, many riders have already been hurt. Injuries have been as varied as with other kinds of transit, with some people suffering minor bruises while others have endured far worse. One 28-year-old woman in Fort Lauderdale sustained extensive injuries. She suffered a fractured skull, brain damage, and broken rib bones after a car struck her and threw her off her scooter. Fatalities have also been reported, although fortunately they have been rare thus far.
As with any other type of vehicle accident, victims of scooter accidents may seek financial compensation through the assistance of an eScooter accident lawyer. Multiple parties can share responsibility for a rental scooter crash, so it’s important to work with an attorney who can evaluate what each party owes the victim.
There are many reasons scooter accidents occur all over the country. In several accident cases involving electric scooters, the riders themselves contributed to the crash and resulting losses.
Common Reasons for Electric Scooter Accidents in Florida
Lack of Dedicated Scooter Paths
Scooter accidents often resemble crashes involving bicycles. A person on a bicycle travels much more slowly than someone driving a car; yet, the bike rider must share the road with speedy cars and trucks. The same is true of scooters. Scooter riders must share roadways, but most scooters can only travel up to 15 miles per hour.
While bicyclists can sometimes find a dedicated bike lane to stay safe, scooter riders don’t have an equivalent option. Those who look forward to eScooters in St. Petersburg should be aware of the fact that the City of St. Petersburg will ban scooters from sidewalks. Anyone who chooses to ride a scooter should be mindful of the risks.
Distracted Drivers Hurt People on Scooters
Distracted drivers put everyone’s lives at risk. A person maneuvering a 4,000-lb vehicle who does not watch the road severely injure anyone with less protection. Scooter riders are on par with pedestrians, cyclists, and even motorcyclists here as the potential for damage is great when a rider and a vehicle collide.
Careless Behavior on Scooters
Scooter riders who view riding an eScooter as a fun activity rather than a method of transportation often display careless behavior. Riders have been observed riding unsafely and even violating the rules of operation, such as:
- Intoxicated riding;
- Scooters being ridden by more than one person;
- Weaving in and out of lanes;
- Texting while riding;
- Riding against the flow of traffic;
- Disregarding traffic signals and stop signs; and
- Not wearing a helmet.
Defective Scooters Can Also Cause Accidents
Companies who lease electric scooters have unleashed tens of thousands of them in the U.S. It’s common for scooters to be defective, especially considering how people treat them when they complete their ride. Scooters are often thrown to the side of the road carelessly. Although some have kickstands, you’re likely to spot one resting on its side. Often, that scooter was tossed and ended up that way, rather than gently placed down.
It doesn’t take long to wear down a scooter since they change hands so often. Possible malfunctions that can contribute to an accident are:
- Collapsed handlebars;
- Brake failure;
- Flat tires; and
- Defective motors.
Special teams of people also round up scooters in trucks and vans to charge them overnight. Unlike personal bikes and cars, scooters rotate between users constantly, calling into question their overall safety.
You Can Count on Marsalisi Law When You’re Hurt
Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi of Marsalisi Law has been rated one of St. Petersburg’s “Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers” in 2019. He strives to provide quality representation and compassionate legal counsel. If you are hurt, he will come to you to resolve serious matters. You can count on him to examine all aspects of your case to maximize the compensation you deserve.
Frank P. Marsalisi has helped thousands of accident victims recover throughout his 10 years as an accident lawyer. If you’ve been injured on a scooter, there may be several causes for your injuries. Multiple parties could be to blame. Count on Frank to investigate your crash and keep you informed about your claim while you focus on healing. Call (727) 800-5052 or complete our contact form for a free consultation. Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.
