Scooter Accident

Scooters are popular modes of transportation and entertainment, especially in urban areas where such companies are gaining a foothold. But you really need to know what you’re doing on an electric scooter if you plan on taking it on the road, in traffic or in densely populated environments. Scooter accidents are increasing across the state in direct correlation to their popularity. If you’re an e-scooter driver who gets into an accident, whether on a Lime scooter or another rental, call RAM Law to initiate a Lime scooter accident lawsuit. And if you were injured by a scooter, the experienced scooter accident lawyers in New Jersey at RAM Law can help you get compensated for injuries and damages you sustained.

How Safe Is a Scooter on the Road?

Since their launch in 2017, electric scooters have gained popularity and are becoming a cheap and enjoyable mode of local transportation worldwide. It’s yet to be seen, however, if scooters are a safe mode of transportation on most roads. As they become more ubiquitous, e-scooters, or classic kick scooters are often involved in scooter accidents. While kick scooters are typically used by adults and children for short commutes or fun, e-scooters have become more and more popular as a handy form of transportation in urban areas.

An October 2023 Consumer Product Safety Commission report revealed that e-scooter injuries exploded by almost 21 percent in 2022. In fact, 46 percent of these injuries from the last five years happened in 2022, so this dangerous trend is growing. Accidents involving e-scooters can lead to severe injuries like:

Whiplash injury
Shoulder injury
Spinal cord injury
Brain injury
Broken bones

Extreme caution is required when operating an e-scooter because you must take into consideration things like speeding cars, your vulnerability, distracted drivers, road hazards, poor stability and inexperienced scooter riders who share the road. Some common types of e-scooter accidents include:

Pedestrian accidents, when riders collide with people on sidewalks or within their zones
Collisions with automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles
Defective parts on scooters that create unsafe driving conditions
While laws regarding truck and car accidents can get sticky for a layperson, the rules and regulations become even more complicated for scooter accidents, which is why you need an experienced e-scooter accident lawyer. RAM Law is a legal practice in New Jersey that not only has your experienced scooter accident lawyer but also provides personal injury representation for a full range of other accidents and injuries.

What Are the Main Causes of Scooter Accidents?

There are nearly as many reasons for scooter accidents as there are people who ride them. Everything from inexperience to malfunctioning scooters can lead to devastating consequences for the scooter riders and those with whom they get into an accident. Several reasons why you may need an e-scooter accident lawyer include:

Riders who lose focus on the road when using a cell phone, listening to music or engaging in other diversions
Extreme scooter riding at speeds that impair a rider’s reaction time to potential dangers or roadblocks
Drivers ignoring stop signs and traffic signals, as well as neglecting to give way to cyclists, pedestrians and other cars
Riders who lose control of the e-scooter due to uneven ground, potholes, gravel, garbage or slick surfaces
Drivers crashing into car doors that suddenly open
Scooter operators who’re drinking or using drugs while driving
Dangerous road conditions due to precipitation, snow, ice or fog that lower visibility and reduce traction
Irresponsible scooter riding, such as tailgating, swerving in and out of traffic or pulling tricks

Specific regulations and rules apply in New Jersey when it comes to using electric scooters. To protect their safety and the safety of other drivers on the road, electric scooter riders in New Jersey must get familiar with the rules and follow them. NJ scooter regulations include:

Riders who wish to use an electric scooter on public roadways must be at least 16 years old.
Riders of electric scooters must abide by the same traffic laws as conventional vehicles because these scooters are classified as vehicles.
It’s generally forbidden to ride an electric scooter on a sidewalk.
To operate scooters, riders need to have a current driver’s license or learner’s permit.
Riders must inspect their electric scooters for safety before they set out.
Electric scooter parking zones and bike racks are two examples of places where scooters should be parked.
Electric scooters are not meant to be used to transport people; they are meant only for single riders.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Scooter Accident?

If you’ve been in an accident with someone driving a scooter, however severe or minimal the accident was, take certain steps if you’re able, including:

Checking yourself for injuries even if you feel fine and calling for medical help
Moving your scooter and yourself out of the direction of oncoming traffic if you can do so safely to prevent additional crashes or injuries
Reporting the accident to the police
Calling the company that rented you the e-scooter, if you were riding a rental around many urban areas in New Jersey
Sharing contact and insurance details with any other parties involved in the collision, such as cyclists, pedestrians or other drivers
Taking pictures and videos of the accident scene that show any visible injuries, as well as any damage to the scooter, other cars or property
Consulting a scooter accident lawyer at RAM Law with experience handling e-scooter accidents, especially if you were hurt in the accident or if there was significant property damage

E-scooters are a convenient form of urban transportation, but their safety and accident records have drawn legal attention in the press for malfunctions and operator mistakes. Accidents and injuries on an e-scooter are a specialty of your attorneys at RAM Law, so don’t hesitate to call for guidance before following any directions from the company advisors. A personal injury attorney who focuses on scooter accidents can evaluate the strength of your case by looking at things like user safety procedures and maintenance requirements.

What Can an e-Scooter Accident Lawyer Do for Me?

Your electric scooter accident lawyer takes care of most of the follow-up required in a liability compensation case. Additionally, you have peace of mind knowing that you have an advocate working for you so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Legal options your attorney may take include:

Making a personal injury claim either directly against the scooter driver, through the driver’s insurance, or through a Lime scooter accident lawsuit, for example
Filing a negligence claim to get paid for your injuries if the scooter’s driver engaged in negligent conduct, like speeding, running a red light or breaking the law
Suing the scooter driver’s employer if, at the time of the accident, they were acting in the course and scope of their work under the legal concept of vicarious liability
Seeking damages from your insurance carrier or that of the scooter driver or owner if you were hurt because of someone else’s negligence while operating the scooter

Your scooter accident lawyer works diligently to determine the amount of compensation to which you might be entitled. They evaluate your case and assist you in pursuing the highest amount of compensation permitted by law, which may include:

Payment for past and future medical costs associated with your injuries, from hospital stays, surgeries and prescription drugs to long-term treatment and rehabilitation
Payment for missed wages or limited earning capacity if your injuries prevented you from working or reduced your future earning potential due to disability
Extra money if your injuries left you permanently disabled or disfigured, affecting your quality of life
Payment for any material losses you experienced from the crash, including clothing and other personal items

Why Do I Need a Scooter Accident Lawyer When the Fault Is Obvious?

To maximize your chances of receiving full and just compensation after a scooter accident, an experienced e-scooter accident lawyer can be of great help to you in the compensation claims process with assistance that includes:

Evaluating the specifics of your case, such as the severity of your injuries, questions about liability, and possible damages
Helping you understand the complicated rules of personal injury law by outlining your rights and available legal choices
Creating a compelling case on your behalf by collecting and examining accident-related documentation such as witness accounts, images, police reports and medical records
Managing all correspondence and negotiations with insurance companies and the representatives of the at-fault party
Going to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached via talks and negotiations

Evidence gathering is one thing, but making sure it’s properly used is another. Only a skilled electric scooter accident lawyer relies on a variety of techniques, including securing witness testimonies, preparing accident reports and getting all the necessary medical records with proper diagnoses and prognoses for future rehabilitation.