Las Vegas, NV Scooter Accident Lawyer

Electric scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation, especially in large cities with heavy traffic congestion. They offer pedestrians an economical, environmentally friendly, and fun way to travel short distances within a city. In fact, many major cities throughout the US now offer electric scooters as a form of rideshare transportation.

While there are some benefits to electric scooters, they can be extremely dangerous and pose a hazard both to riders and pedestrians when collisions arise. The electric scooter is small in size and offers riders little to no safety features or instructions. As electric scooter usage increases in Las Vegas, so does the amount of accidents involving them.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by an electric or gas-powered scooter in Las Vegas, Nevada, or the surrounding area, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Richard Harris Law Firm can offer you legal advice and inform you of the steps needed to recover damages for your injuries. Call us 24/7 at (702) 745-8555 or fill out the online evaluation form today for a free case consultation. 

What is a Scooter?

The word “scooter” is used nowadays to describe two very different types of transportation.

Motor scooters

Motor scooters are gas-powered and may also be referred to as mopeds. They are propelled by a small engine that is far less powerful than a motorcycle. Under Nevada state law, a moped engine cannot exceed 50 cc or 1500 cubic watts and must have a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.

Motor scooter riders are required to follow many of the same rules as motorcyclists. They must register their scooters with the DMV, have a license to ride on Nevada’s roadways, and wear a helmet.

Electric scooters

An electric scooter looks similar to the foot-powered scooters you may have played with as a kid. They are equipped with a small engine that can travel as fast as 20 mph.

The popularity of electric scooters is growing so fast that authorities are struggling to keep up. Each city and state must decide how the local government will classify electric scooters and what regulations to implement. In Las Vegas, riders of electric scooters are to obey the same traffic laws as bicyclists.

Electric Scooters Can Cause Serious Accidents

In Nevada and throughout the country, emergency room doctors are reporting an increase in the number of scooter accident victims that they treat. The injuries sustained are often similar to those suffered in car accidents.

Common scooter injuries include:

Common Causes and Types of Electric Scooter Accidents

E-scooters can be dangerous – and not just for riders. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and even motorists have been injured by electric scooters.

Las Vegas electric scooter accidents may be the result of:

  • A rider losing control of the scooter. If a rider doesn’t have experience riding an e-scooter or encounters obstacles in the road, he or she could easily lose control of the scooter and crash. Just as distracted driving is a cause of many car accidents, e-scooter riders are affected by texting, talking on the phone, eating, and other distractions.
  • The scooter malfunctions. Just like motor vehicles, scooters can be defective and must be properly maintained in order for them to work correctly. Scooter rental companies like Bird often rent their scooters “as is,” which means you take the risk of riding a scooter that was previously damaged. Parts that can be faulty include brakes, batteries, handlebars, and software.
  • A rider strikes a pedestrian. Electric scooters often share bike paths and walkways with pedestrians and bicyclists. An e-scooter can travel to speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, and a collision could cause serious injuries to both the rider and pedestrian.
  • A rider is struck by a motor vehicle. Since e-scooters are commonly used in large cities, riders often have to contend with cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles. Scooters don’t offer riders any sort of protection the consequences of an automobile collision can be devastating.

Who is Liable for an Electric Scooter Accident?

If you were injured in an electric scooter accident, you may be unsure who is responsible for the damages and whether you can pursue compensation. The laws on electric scooters are continually evolving which can make it challenging to identify the liable party and prove fault.

The personal injury attorneys at Richard Harris Law Firm are knowledgeable in local and state laws on electric scooters. We can evaluate your claim, identify the liable parties, build a solid case for you, and help you pursue financial compensation to cover your losses.

If you were involved in a scooter accident, the following parties may be liable.

E-scooter riders

If you are a pedestrian who was injured by an electric scooter when operated by someone else, then the rider may be found liable. The scooter rider could be found guilty of some form of negligence including:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted riding
  • Failure to yield
  • Disobeying traffic signs

Proving negligence in electric scooter cases can be difficult. However, an experienced scooter accident lawyer knows what evidence is needed to establish liability. Having a skilled attorney on your side is your best chance of recovering financial compensation after a scooter accident.

Motorists

If you were hit by a motor vehicle while riding a scooter, then the driver may be held liable for damages. A driver may collide with an e-scooter rider when:

If a motorist was responsible for your scooter accident, then a Las Vegas personal injury attorney can help you pursue a claim against the driver’s insurance policy.

Scooter manufacturers

If a scooter accident was caused by defective parts or software, then the manufacturer could be found liable. If the e-scooter rental company contributed to the accident, then they could also be at fault.

Common electric scooter rental companies found in large cities include:

  • Lime
  • Bird
  • Bunny
  • Spin

If defective parts or poor maintenance were the cause of your accident, the skilled personal injury attorneys from our law office can help you hold the responsible party liable.

Pedestrians

In some situations, a pedestrian may actually be the cause of a scooter accident. If a person is walking while distracted, he or she could step right into the oncoming path of a scooter, causing a collision. These types of cases are difficult to prove, but the skilled accident lawyers with our law firm can help you determine whether you have a potential claim.

Cities or businesses

If a scooter accident occurs as a result of potholes, construction, malfunctioning lights, or debris, then the local government may be accountable for injuries sustained. If you were seriously injured, your lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against whoever was responsible for maintaining the roadway.

Reasons Why Gathering Evidence Difficult in Electric Scooter Cases

Gathering evidence in scooter accident claims can be difficult. A key piece of evidence is the scooter itself, but locating and gathering the scooter may be challenging. One reason for this is that rental scooters are constantly in turnover. Numerous times throughout the day, they may be rented, rode, returned, recharged, and rented by someone new.

Also, since rental electric scooters are constantly in use, they don’t last long. Reports show that the lifespan of a frequently used scooter may be less than a month. This means that the scooter that you rented may have already been discarded.

It’s important to contact an electric scooter accident lawyer as soon as possible before evidence is destroyed. Often, scooter riders contact attorneys weeks or even months after their accident occurred. By that time, the rental scooter may have been maintained and put back into circulation countless times.

Types of Evidence That Help Establish Liability

As soon as the accident attorneys at our law firm take on your case, our legal team will begin gathering evidence to establish liability. The following are some important pieces of evidence that your personal injury lawyers may seek:

  • The scooter: If the scooter was rented, our accident lawyers will send a preservation letter to the scooter company. This will legally require them to hold on to it for evidence.
  • Witness statements: Fellow scooter riders, pedestrians, or motorists who witnessed the accident can provide valuable details as to the cause of the accident.
  • Video surveillance: Almost everyone has a smartphone to carry along and use to take photos and videos, while most businesses have surveillance security cameras protecting their properties. In some situations, the accident may be captured on video providing a valuable piece of evidence.
  • Police reports: Electric scooter accidents often go unreported. However, if the police were called and a citation was issued, this could be used as evidence in your case.
  • Expert testimony: Your attorney may call e-scooter experts or accident reconstructionists to give statements regarding the cause of your crash.

Compensation After Your Las Vegas Scooter Accident

Though the laws governing electric scooters are in a constant state of development, individuals, businesses, motorists, property owners, and manufacturers still have a legal obligation to take steps that ensure safety. If someone’s negligent actions have caused your injury, you could be entitled to recover financial compensation.

If you have been involved in an electric scooter accident, an attorney may be able to help you recover damages for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Wrongful death

Contact Our Las Vegas, Nevada Personal Injury Law Firm Today

Richard Harris Law Firm has been fighting on behalf of personal injury victims across Nevada for over 40 years. Our hard-working and compassionate lawyers have helped our clients recover over $1 billion in damages. Scooter accidents cases are one of the many practice areas that our full-service law firm has extensive experience in handling.

Our attorneys handle all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront fees, and we don’t get paid unless you are compensated. Contact us today to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a scooter accident in Las Vegas, Nevada, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Don’t hesitate to contact a scooter accident attorney today. Call us 24/7 or fill out the online evaluation form to schedule a free case evaluation. 

 

 

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