E-Scooter Accidents

A victim who is involved in an electric scooter crash will likely be overwhelmed by the ensuing chaos and may not know which steps to take next.

We understand the dangers that e-scooter riders experience in crowded areas, and we know they need legal support to win compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been hurt, it’s time to connect with a knowledgeable Atlanta e-scooter accident lawyer. Learn more about why electric scooter injury victims depend on The Dixon Firm to fight for them.

Atlanta residents have always been open to alternative means of transportation, making e-scooters a natural fit. Companies like Bird and Lime have provided these scooters to meet the demands of commuters. Despite their growing use, however, there are significant risks. 

Because riders do not have a protective steel frame and may not be wearing a helmet or other safety gear, any injuries can be serious and even fatal. Certain parts of Atlanta are more likely to witness scooter accidents. These crashes are commonly seen at the following locations, among others:

• Peachtree Street
• Midtown
• Downtown
• On or around college campuses (Georgia State University and Morehouse)
• The Beltline
• MARTA stations

Local governments may have ordinances in place to help ensure scooter safety. For instance, Atlanta prohibits scooters on sidewalks but allows them in bike lanes and on roads where the speed limit is under 35 miles per hour. Before using a scooter, check with the local rules in your area.

Everyone who drives must use reasonable care to avoid accidents, including crashes that involve e-scooters. There are several different reasons that scooter wrecks occur, including:

• Drivers failing to yield or see scooter riders: Yielding and staying focused on the road are among drivers’ most basic obligations. Negligent motorists make scooter collisions far more likely and far deadlier.
• Speeding and reckless driving: Drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive in a reckless and unsafe manner will put everyone at risk of an accident, especially scooter riders. Sometimes the drivers work for Uber or Lyft, which means the rideshare company’s insurer could be forced to pay for the victim’s injuries.
• Malfunctioning scooters: Not all Atlanta e-scooter accidents involve someone getting hit by a car. The scooter itself could be malfunctioning due to poor design or lack of maintenance, which, in turn, points to liability on the part of manufacturers, repair shops, and others.
• Poorly maintained roads or sidewalk obstructions: State and local governments have the responsibility of safely maintaining roads, while various parties (including construction companies) should keep sidewalks free of obstructions.

Dooring accidents from parked vehicles: Drivers and passengers in a parked vehicle must make sure there are no approaching e-scooters before opening their doors. An open door can cause a major scooter crash injury, an incident that is known as dooring.

One reason to hire an experienced e-scooter accident lawyer is to figure out who may have caused your crash. Identifying the liable parties is a necessary step to winning compensation for your medical bills and other losses. The following parties could be at fault:

• Negligent drivers: Irresponsible driving is one of the most common causes of scooter accidents, which means drivers are often to blame. The courts may order their automobile liability insurers to compensate the victim.
• E-scooter companies: Bird and Lime are two of the most popular Atlanta e-scooter companies. An accident victim can sue whichever company supplied the scooter, and their insurer could be obligated to pay for the victim’s medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
• City government: Atlanta must maintain public streets and highways, but unsafe roads and improper signage put scooter riders at risk of a wreck. Suing a governmental entity involves different rules, so be sure to speak with an attorney.
• Property owners: When hazards are present on private property (for instance, an obscure pothole in a parking lot), the owner could be named as a defendant in a lawsuit. Your Atlanta injury attorney will work to determine scooter accident fault in your case.

The likelihood of significant, potentially irreversible injuries is quite high in an Atlanta e-scooter accident case. A victim could suffer:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): A TBI is not just a head injury; it affects the cognitive functioning of the victim’s brain, altering their behavior and personality. A victim who was not wearing a helmet is much more likely to suffer a TBI.
• Broken bones: Broken bones from a scooter crash are also possible because the rider will likely use their arms and legs to break their fall. Bone fractures are painful, debilitating injuries that typically require long recovery periods.
• Facial injuries and lacerations: Striking the asphalt or sidewalk may cause facial injuries like broken bones and road rash. Scooter accident victims also frequently suffer lacerations, which can increase the chances of infection and other complications.
• Spinal cord damage: Among the most serious electric scooter injuries are those that damage the spinal cord. Paralysis is likely, and this could in turn mean major medical bills, lost income from missed work, and decreased future earning ability.
• Fatalities: Unfortunately, some e-scooter injuries are fatal. If negligence was the cause of the fatal wreck, eligible survivors of the deceased can ask for various wrongful death damages such as funeral expenses and the victim’s final medical bills.

Time is of the essence after being in an electric scooter accident. Injuries may not be apparent, but they could jeopardize the victim’s health if they are not treated. Meanwhile, the victim’s legal case depends heavily on the decisions they make in the immediate aftermath. We suggest the following steps after a scooter crash:

• Get medical help: Call 911 and ask for emergency medical services. You should also ask for a law enforcement officer to come document the crash in a police accident report. Do not assume your injuries are minor or that you were not hurt; let a doctor evaluate you.
• Document the accident scene: If you are able to do so, you should also document the accident by taking pictures and recording videos. Don’t wait to do this, because officials will quickly clean up the crash site and potentially destroy evidence.
• Talk to witnesses, but do not admit fault: Ask any witnesses on the scene to give you their names and contact information, but be careful with what you say. Do not apologize, even if you believe something you did may have caused the accident.
• Notify the scooter company: Get in touch with Lime, Bird, or whoever is responsible for the e-scooter. Inform them about the accident, but stick with the basic facts like time, date, and location. Do not admit fault or speculate as to the nature of your injuries or how the accident occurred.
• Call an attorney: You should call an Atlanta electric scooter injury attorney at your earliest convenience. Your attorney will investigate the accident, determine who was at fault, and handle all communications and negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries after being in a scooter accident in Georgia. You may do so with a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company, a scooter accident settlement, or a civil lawsuit in Atlanta courts. Regardless, the nature and amount of your compensation will depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries.

In general, most e-scooter accident victims can seek compensation for:

• Medical costs: These include past expenses as well as future ones that the victim is reasonably expected to incur.
• Long-term disability: If the victim is unable to work because of their injuries, they may qualify for long-term disability benefits.
• Lost wages: Not only can the victim ask for lost income, but also lost future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: This is a type of non-economic damage (which means its value is subjective, yet still eligible for compensation).
• Wrongful death claims: If the victim dies from their injuries, eligible survivors (typically the immediate family members) can ask for wrongful death damages.

Taking on the at-fault parties and their insurance companies, and lawyers is challenging. With a trusted scooter accident attorney by your side, you can make the strongest possible case for the maximum amount of compensation. The Dixon Firm is unique among law firms because of our:

• Experience with new and evolving scooter laws in Georgia: Scooters are relatively new in terms of mass transportation, and laws are still being developed to keep up with their use. We stay on top of the latest statutory and judicial developments and apply them to your case.
• Local knowledge of Atlanta streets and scooter hotspots: Knowing where electric scooter accidents are most likely to happen allows us to better understand why they do. This enables our firm to put together a unique legal strategy for you.
• Aggressive negotiation with scooter companies and insurers: We are experienced negotiators who know the value of scooter accident cases. If possible, we will work out a settlement with the scooter companies and their insurers, but if needed, we can take your matter to trial.
• Bilingual legal team: Many accidents affect Atlanta’s Hispanic community, and these victims are often overwhelmed by the insurance claims and legal processes. We are a trusted bilingual scooter crash law firm, and our support team is ready to help Spanish-speaking clients.

Can I Sue Bird or Lime?

You may be able to sue Bird or Lime if there was a malfunction with their scooter or if someone riding one of their scooters crashed into you. If a motorist or some other party besides Bird or Lime caused your injuries, your claim should be against them.

What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

If you were not wearing a helmet, a court may decide that you were partially to blame for your injuries. The court may assign a percentage of fault to you and reduce your compensation by that percentage. This is known generally as comparative negligence.

What if a Car Hit Me on a Scooter and Left the Scene?

Hit-and-run victims can sometimes use their automobile uninsured motorist (UM) coverage even if they were not driving at the time of their accident. We can help you work with your insurance to win any compensation to which you are entitled under your policy.

Unsure what to do after being in an electric scooter accident? Schedule a no-cost case review with The Dixon Firm. We can examine the facts in your case and let you know more about your legal options. 

Our bilingual legal team is also ready to assist you. Get started today by calling us or completing our online contact form.