Scooters, or e-bikes, have made zipping through downtown cities a breeze since 2018. A row of scooters to be unlocked with a key fob can be found in many cities. The companies that own these scooters include Bird, Lyft, Lime, or Spin, and the brand of scooter depends on where you live or where you travel. While COVID-19 restrictions have reduced the number of docking stations in Orlando, a great number of people have their own scooters.
Scooters are an excellent way to get around without a car. They do not require a driver’s license, and they make running short errands much easier. Unfortunately, accidents still happen each day. If you get into an accident on a scooter, or if someone on an e-bike collides with you, you need to know what to do.
Risks of Electric Scooters in Orlando
There is no doubt that electric scooters are eco-friendly, and they make shorter trips affordable and convenient. That accessibility also makes them dangerous. E-bikes are tiny and leave a small carbon footprint, but that also means that they are hard to see. In addition, a person is not afforded much protection on a scooter. Riding a scooter can certainly be safer with a helmet, but the openness of a scooter offers no bodily protection against being hit by anyone. Being hit directly by a car can be devastating.
What to Do after an Electric Scooter Accident
You should take the same steps after an electric scooter accident that you would take after a car accident. The average speed of an electric scooter is 15mph. This can create serious, life-altering injuries, even at such relatively low speeds. The following are the steps you should take after an electric scooter accident:
Call 9-1-1
No matter how trivial your accident may seem, being deliberate now can save you many headaches later. If you are a car driver, leaving a collision with a scooter would be considered leaving the scene of an accident. Whether you were on the scooter or in the car, make sure you obtain a copy of the police report because you will need that later.
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention right away after an accident. It does not matter if you think you are fine and uninjured. A concussion can lead to serious complications in as short as a few hours. Your health is very important, so it’s better to make sure you are safe and sound above anything else.
Collect Evidence
While waiting for the police and EMTs to arrive, you should take photos of the accident scene on your phone. Make sure that anyone else involved in the accident is safe and stable. Collect the names of anyone that was involved. Do your best to collect license plate numbers. Not all scooters have obviously identifiable numbers, so be ready to look hard for those. If you have scrap paper or a notes app in your smartphone, write down what you remember about the accident for later.
Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Orlando
Many different factors can cause an accident on any given day. The following are some common causes on electric scooter accidents in Orlando:
- Driver error: Scooters aren’t allowed on sidewalks, so it’s easy for scooter riders to have minor dings with cars or trucks. If a scooter rider is acting negligently, damaging your property or hurting you or a passenger, you can sue them for damages.
- Road maintenance: All too often, Orlando is not able to keep up with cracks in the road or the occasional pothole. Hitting these holes or cracks on a scooter can result in injury. A trained attorney can help you sue the municipality for this.
- Manufacturer defects: The companies that own the scooters are responsible for the operational status and safety of their scooters. With scooter injuries on the rise, it is as important as ever that scooter companies keep a keen eye on their inventory.
You should not hesitate to contact a electric scooter accident attorney if you have been injured in a scooter accident. An attorney may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Contact the Orlando Scooter Accident Lawyers at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A.
If you have been involved in an electric scooter accident, the Orlando scooter accident attorneys at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. are here to help you. With over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury claims, we know how to help you file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries. While you recover, our team of professionals will handle the scooter companies or local governments, and we will fight for your just compensation. For a free consultation, you can call (407) 843-7060 or fill out our contact form.
Legally Written and Reviewed by a Managing Partner
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis
Our content is written and reviewed by our founding attorneys Butch Wooten, Orman Kimbrough, Mike Damaso, and Tom Dennis. With over 100 years of combined courtroom experience, they’ve successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases across Florida. Whether you’re a Florida resident or an out-of-state visitor injured in Florida, we’re dedicated to providing clear and reliable information to help you navigate your legal options confidently.