Motorized scooters have become a popular and familiar sight in the greater Atlanta area in recent years. Lime, Bird, Jump, and other vendors provide easy access to would-be riders with just a few clicks on a mobile app. Unfortunately, the rise in scooter traffic coincides with a rise in automobile traffic in the region. This means that in addition to the risk of becoming injured due to scooter malfunctions, riders are at increased risk of injury accidents caused by inattentive or otherwise negligent automobile drivers.
If you or a loved one suffered injury on a motorized scooter as the result of a defective scooter or a motor vehicle/scooter accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
What You Should Know About Electric Scooter Usage in Atlanta
Before renting electric scooters, riders must download the provider’s app (i.e., Lime, Bird, etc.), set up an account, provide payment information, and agree to the user agreement and terms of service.
These terms and conditions address the rider’s responsibility to lock scooters after each trip, remind users that they are responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, and provide safety warnings. User agreements also stipulate that users are responsible for promptly notifying the company about damaged or malfunctioning equipment. The city of Atlanta has passed city ordinances designed to keep riders and pedestrians safe, including rules about where riders may operate and park electric scooters.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
Riding electric scooters can be both convenient and fun. However, riders should understand the potential risks that come with using this mode of transportation. While scooters can malfunction and mechanical defects may cause injuries, these types of accidents are not very common.
Many scooter accidents stem from the negligence of others who share the roadways with riders. Speeding, distracted, or inattentive drivers and drivers who fail to obey traffic rules can cause serious injuries for scooter drivers. Roads that are not well maintained (such as roads with potholes and other defects) are another potential cause for accidents involving scooters.
Disputes over liability and Georgia’s comparative fault law often come into play with scooter injuries, determining how responsibility and damages should be allocated among the parties.
Recovering Compensation After a Scooter Accident
When a negligent driver is responsible for injuring a scooter rider, the rider may be able to recover compensation. To do so, the rider must be able to prove that the driver was negligent. An experienced scooter accident attorney can help establish proof that the motor vehicle driver was distracted, impaired, was speeding, or failed to follow the rules of the road. If you were injured while riding a scooter, scheduling a consultation with a scooter crash lawyer is the first step toward understanding and enforcing your rights.
Types of Scooter Accident Injuries
Because electric scooters are not enclosed, riders are at an increased risk of suffering severe injuries when accidents occur. Some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Cuts and abrasions
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries (including traumatic brain injuries)
- Nerve injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Fatalities
Treating these types of injuries can require costly care for long time periods. In addition to the out-of-pocket financial impact victims face, many find themselves unable to return to work right away, adding lost wages to their financial losses. In some situations, accident victims are entitled to receive permanent or temporary disability compensation for accident-related injuries. A knowledgeable scooter injury lawyer can help victims quantify their financial losses, in addition to documenting victims’ pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages, if applicable.
Contact an Electric Scooter Lawyer in Atlanta Today
At Van Sant Law, we are committed to serving the needs of scooter accident victims. If you were injured while riding a scooter and believe the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, a scooter crash attorney may be able to help you obtain compensation and damages for your injuries.
