Scooters are highly popular in Florida as they are convenient, eco-friendly, and inexpensive. However, unlike cars and other four-wheelers, scooters are not very secure and prone to road accidents. As a result, scooter accidents are common in Florida and cause serious injuries to riders and pedestrians. You will need a scooter accident lawyer.
Electric, gas-powered, and non-motorized scooters are available for purchase or rental in Florida as a mode of transportation and entertainment. Due to aggressive launch strategies used by rival transportation-rental firms like Lime, Uber, and Bird, scooter popularity has recently increased dramatically.
By flooding the streets of Florida with pay-per-minute “e-scooters,” Lime, Uber, and Bird have fundamentally changed how people commute in Florida. These economical and environmentally beneficial gadgets are not without safety issues, though.
If you’re looking for a quick way to get around some of Florida’s hottest areas without a car, you won’t have to look far to find a Bird or Lime scooter for rent. Unfortunately, as thousands of people have started using electric scooters, the risk of scooter accidents is now higher than ever.
Risks With the Use of Scooters
While Florida law requires electric scooters to be used on roads to help protect pedestrians on sidewalks, it also puts scooter riders and other people at risk in several ways. First, scooters are less visible to other drivers on the road due to their small size. Not only are scooters less visible to riders, but scooter users also don’t have the luxury of being protected by safety features like airbags. In addition to that the fact that electric scooters tend to be less stable on the road than many other types of vehicles, making it easier for motorcyclists to fall into poor road conditions.
Risks Faced by Scooter Riders and Pedestrians
Dangerous Roads: Road defects such as non-uniform roads, potholes, debris, and gravel can cause a scooter to unbalance and go out of control leading to a fall. Many scooter accidents happen due to road potholes, debris, and gravel.
Lack of Safety: Unlike cars and other four-wheelers, people riding on a scooter lack the protection features to protect them from the road and safety devices such as airbags and seat belts. While most laws require motorcyclists to wear helmets, many do not.
Lack of Stability: The scooter may stall or wobble, especially on the turns and corners and during emergency braking.
Visibility: Electric scooters are smaller and less visible to drivers as cars or other objects parked on the street can obstruct your view. Also, most drivers do not look for scooters at intersections or when turning.
Lack of Experience – Many scooter users are inexperienced and find it difficult to drive a vehicle they have never ridden before.
Drunk Driving: Unfortunately, it is common for scooter drivers to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is illegal and just as dangerous as driving under the influence of any other form.
Reckless Behavior: Some scooter users drive their vehicles in dangerous ways: not wearing a helmet, speeding on sidewalks, riding a scooter with more than one passenger, or performing dangerous stunts.
Steps to Follow After a Scooter Accident
Accidents can occur within a fraction of seconds; when they do, it’s very common for people to not know what to do next. If you’ve been injured by one of these scooters, either while riding or being hit by one; you should know your legal rights and options. You may receive compensation for injuries, damages and losses incurred.
 If you get hurt in a scooter accident, follow these steps:
Seek medical treatment
After any accident, self-care should be your priority. However, even if you think you’re fine or your injuries aren’t serious, it’s still a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible. It is difficult for victims to find all their injuries immediately after an accident. For example, soft tissue injuries often have symptoms that take a long time to appear.
Get more information
If other people come to your aid, let them help you and ask them to help you find your belongings without moving. Then, call 911 to be assessed for injuries immediately. If possible, document the scene from your phone as best you can by taking photos and videos.Â
Try to get the names and numbers of witnesses as the police may not be involved, and it will be difficult to find the witnesses later. Instead, write down your impressions of the accident, including the weather, road conditions, and what you remember. If the emergency medical team is not seeing you, be sure to see a doctor immediately after the accident.
Report the accident
Call the nearest police station and report the accident. It is important to report the accident as the police investigation report will help you further investigate and get compensation for your injuries in the accident.Â
Insurance
Insurance companies are multi-million dollar corporations that profit by paying the least amount possible to the injured party. You should not make a statement to an insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Telling the insurance adjuster the wrong thing can negatively affect your potential settlement. When someone carelessly hurts you, you deserve to have someone fighting by your side.
Hire a Scooter Accident Lawyer
You should hire a lawyer as they will obtain all the important evidence in your case. In addition, many victims feel overwhelmed by their injuries, so having an experienced attorney by your side can help protect your rights and strengthen your case.
By having a scooter accident lawyer in Tampa to fight your case, you’ll have someone on your side who can negotiate with insurance adjusters and fight to obtain the full compensation you deserve.
Timeline for Tampa Scooter Accident Lawsuit Filing
Make sure you submit your claim on time if suing for damages following a scooter accident is your best course of action. Florida’s four-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury lawsuits. Therefore, a plaintiff has four years starting from the scooter accident to initiate a claim against the responsible party. In some instances, injuries may be the fault of the scooter manufacturer. However, other parties may also be accountable, like the car driver, depending on the details of your case.
Florida law states that the claim will expire if you do not bring a case within the allotted period. The period covered by this window of opportunity begins on the day of the scooter accident.Â
What is the Value of a Scooter Accident Claim in Tampa?
We at Coleman Law Group know that money doesn’t erase the fact that you’ve been seriously injured. However, it is important to get adequate compensation for your financial security. Our scooter accident lawyer in Tampa can help you understand your injury case worth during a free case review.
In general, the amount of your injury claim will depend on several different factors, including:
- The cost of your medical treatment and expenses
- If an injury prevents you from working
- Your future forecast
- Your contribution to the accident
- Amount of insurance coverage available
Your case is different from others. Contrary to the insurer’s claim, your case value should not depend on a calculator or formula. Instead, you can count on our lawyers to calculate the fair value of your case.
Contact the Coleman Law Group
Our experienced scooter accident lawyer in Tampa can fight to help you get the maximum possible compensation for your injuries. Contact the Coleman Law Group now for a free case evaluation!
