The Growing Concern with e-Scooter Injuries
You may have noticed a growing new trend in Denver’s urban transportation scene – motorized electric scooters, also commonly referred to as e-scooters. Throughout Denver – and in many major cities across the world now – this form of transportation among city dwellers has become extremely popular, and has attracted five big companies – Lime, Bird, Lyft, Spin, and Razor – to spread their e-scooters across the Denver Metro Area. Although this change in clean transportation technology is welcome, it has also given rise to an entirely new set of issues centering around safety and personal injury. Just Google e-scooter accidents and you’ll see that, across the US, there is no shortage them. Although a welcome and innovative technology, there are many things that can happen while riding on an e-scooter, or being surrounded by riders.
Rider Beware – There Are Rules
If you use an e-scooter, you must be careful when operating the device to ensure that you avoid hitting anyone, or getting hit yourself. This means that the rules of the road still apply to you, so be sure to observe traffic signs, yield, and stop when required. If possible, wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter to avoid any personal injury to yourself.
Denver Public Works recently passed rules regulating e-scooter usage. This requires riders to stay on sidewalks when using an e-scooter – it is currently illegal to ride on roadways or bike lanes. Riders are also urged to watch their speeds. Although most e-scooters top out at 15 mph, a rider must go at slower speeds if it means avoiding an accident. While riding around, pay special attention to your surroundings! Any distracted use of the e-scooter may lead to a claim where you are found negligent for not using the e-scooter safely.
When the e-Scooter Causes Your Injuries
Sometimes products are poorly engineered, constructed, and maintained. In several cases, riders have sustained injuries due to faulty brakes, a loose or broken wheel, or some other malfunction with the e-scooter. In such cases, the company is responsible to check and maintain their device before another rider rents the e-scooter. Companies have a duty and obligation to the users of their equipment to regularly inspect the equipment for anything that may cause injury. If you believe that the only plausible explanation for your injuries was the malfunction of the device, you may have a claim against the scooter company. If you sustain injuries while on an e-scooter, be sure to take any pictures of the e-scooter, your surroundings, and your injuries, as well as writing a detailed statement of the events leading to the injury. Afterward, lodge a report with the company as soon as possible, and contact an experienced personal injury attorney to see what your options for redress might be. Call our experienced scooter injuries attorneys at AGG law firm to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Pedestrian-Innocent Bystander
If you are a pedestrian that was struck and injured by a rider, the rider has a legal duty to stop and exchange information with you, otherwise it is considered a hit and run, which carries very serious penalties under Colorado law. If this happens, try to yell out to the rider to get their attention that you were hit. If the rider continues without stopping to ask if you are ok, see if there are any witnesses that might be able to identify the rider, and file a report with the police. Never chase after the rider. If you were a pedestrian that was injured as a result of an e-scooter you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
FAQs
Can I afford a personal injury attorney?
The initial consultation is always free. If during the consultation we determine that you have a case, we will pursue your case on a contingency fee basis. When working on a contingency fee, our firm does not get paid on your case unless we recover money for you. When we collect money for your injuries, damages, and losses, we will be paid a percentage of the money we collect for you. We are commits to providing clients with a no-stress, no-hassle intake process call us today for your free consultation to see how we can help you!
What happens at the Initial Consultation and how much does it cost?
You will meet with one of our Managing Attorneys or partners at the time of your first appointment with our firm. You will never have a consultation with an office manager, paralegal, or anyone other than one of our experienced managing attorneys or partners. During the initial consultation, we spend much of our time gathering information from you about your personal injury case. It is helpful to bring as much information as possible to your initial consultation so that we can gather as much information as possible about your case so that we can properly discuss with you the facts, relevant law, and how we can assist you with your case. Information that is helpful to bring if you have it is as follows: traffic accident report, all insurance claim information and a copy of your insurance policy or information, health insurance/Medicaid/Medicare Information, medical records or bills, photographs, etc. The initial consultation is always free. We are commits to providing clients with a no-stress, no-hassle intake process call us today for your free consultation to see how we can help you!
I’m in the hospital can you come to me?
Yes, if you are in the hospital or your injuries prohibit you from being able to come to our office, one of our attorneys will come to you.
Can I still recover if I caused an accident?
Colorado has a comparative fault rule – If you were partially responsible for the accident, you may only collect damages for the percentage of fault the other driver had for the accident. In Colorado, an injured party that is 50% or more responsible for an accident is barred from recovering. In cases where fault is not clear or questionable, it is important to have the attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden on your side.
What Size Cases Do You Handle?
AGG law firm handles cases of all sizes, from simple to complex. Our experienced trial lawyers have the knowledge and resources to represent victims in all types of accident and personal injury cases. At AGG we are dedicated to obtaining justice for clients from all walks of life regardless of how large or small the matter.
Will the Information I Share with you Be Confidential?
Yes, because your communications with us are privileged. It is important that you fully disclose all facts of your personal injury claim including, but not limited to: prior injuries, criminal convictions, etc. This information will aide us in fully evaluating your case. The information you share with us will always remain confidential. This protection applies even when our legal representation ends or if you do not retain our firm.
How long will my personal injury case take?
Each case is unique, and it’s difficult to determine how long it will take to resolve a personal injury case. A personal injury case may settle in a few months without the need to file a lawsuit, while others can take years for the trial and appeals process to complete. We do everything we can to resolve our clients’ cases as efficiently and effectively as possible.