Delray Beach Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
Electric scooters have emerged in recent years as an alternative mode of transportation for many Palm Beach County residents. As with any motorized vehicle, however, improper or unsafe operation can lead to accidents that injure one or more people. The Delray Beach electric scooter accident lawyers at Steinberg Law can assist you in seeking compensation if you are one of those victims.
What All E-Scooter Users Should Know About Florida Personal Injury Law
Electric scooters–commonly referred to as “e-scooters”–are two-wheeled vehicles where the rider stands on a flat platform. Unlike traditional scooters, an e-scooter has an electric motor, allowing it to reach speeds of around 15 miles per hour on average. Under current Florida law, anyone 16 years of age or older may operate an electric scooter without a driver’s license. E-scooters are generally held to the same traffic rules as bicycles, and individual cities may impose their own regulations on use, such as allowing or barring electric scooters from sidewalks.
Electric scooter accidents can fall into any one of the following categories:
- Operator Error — Many e-scooter users have little experience or training in safely handling such vehicles. This can lead to an accident caused by operator error, which may in turn injure other pedestrians or cyclists on the road or sidewalk.
- Motorist Negligence — E-scooters are small vehicles that can be difficult to spot in traffic. A negligent motorist who fails to keep a proper lookout can easily strike an electric scooter and seriously injure or kill its rider.
- Pedestrian Negligence — In some e-scooter accidents, it is a pedestrian who is at fault for not paying attention and walking into the path of an oncoming scooter.
- Dangerous Road Conditions — Along those same lines, e-scooters are also far more vulnerable than cars to defective road conditions, such as potholes or debris left on the street. In some cases, state and local authorities may be liable for an electric scooter accident caused by such poorly maintained roads.
- Defective E-Scooter — Companies that manufacture and rent electric scooters must take care to ensure their vehicles are safe to use as intended. If a mechanical defect in an e-scooter leads to an accident, the victims may have a personal injury claim against the company that manufactured and/or owned the vehicle.
Unlike drivers of cars or trucks, state law does not require electric scooter operators to carry any form of personal injury protection or health insurance. It is still a good idea to have such insurance, however, precisely to protect you in the event of an accident. Of course, if an e-scooter operator is harmed by the actions of another party, their insurance would potentially come into play with respect to compensation.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Victims of an accident involving an electric scooter can seek both economic and non-economic damages against the negligent parties involved. This covers compensation for the victim’s medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, among other losses. If you would like to learn more from an experienced Delray Beach electric scooter accident lawyer, contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
