Brooklyn Scooter Accident Lawyers

Scooter Accident Lawyers Brooklyn Residents Trust

Electric scooters stormed the nation a few years ago and have quickly become the latest mobility trend in large cities like Brooklyn. For example, New Yorkers use them to commute, sightsee, and even get around campus because they are so easy to operate.

Due to its expansive size, large population, youth culture, and heavy traffic congestion, scooters are particularly popular in Brooklyn. In fact, over half of Brooklyn residents live without automobiles — making transportation by scooter an attractive commuting option for many. However, despite their widespread popularity, we routinely see severe and fatal accidents that have resulted from riding scooters.

If you were injured in a scooter accident in New York City, it’s important to understand your legal rights and resources. Our Brooklyn scooter accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez have helped countless victims with their difficult personal injury claims and recover compensation for their injuries. We know what it takes to get justice and financial compensation after a devastating scooter accident. Contact our office today at (718) 509-4960 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Potential Liable Parties For A Brooklyn Electric Scooter Accident

If you’ve been hurt in an electric scooter accident, it’s crucial to understand the different types of liable parties. The at-fault party will have a large impact on how to structure your settlement and the level of responsibility they had. Below are some typical classes of at-fault individuals in these accidents.

Electric Scooter Rider

If a scooter rider is careless and causes an injury to another person or damage to property, the rider can be held responsible.

Pedestrians

An electric scooter rider may also be liable for negligently causing an injury to a pedestrian in some circumstances. If a pedestrian wants to file a claim against a negligent scooter rider, they would likely have to file a tort claim.

Automobile Drivers

If a driver opens their car door without checking to see if the way is clear and this results in a scooter accident, the driver may be liable for damages. Scooter riders may also sue the state or city-owned buses if they are injured while riding. If you are in an accident while riding an electric scooter and it is the other driver’s fault, then you most likely have a personal injury claim. This is because the other driver’s insurance should cover any damages that were sustained in the accident.

Scooter Company Or Manufacturer

Various states have taken scooter companies to court for widespread injuries that resulted from supposedly defective scooters. As mentioned before, these claims are more likely to be resolved under the scooter company’s liability waiver arbitration clause.

Common Scooter Accident Causes In Brooklyn

There are many reasons scooter accidents happen, some more common than others. Regardless of the cause, if you were injured on a scooter, it’s highly recommended that you contact an experienced Brooklyn scooter accident lawyer right away. Some of the more frequent accidents that generally lead to a scooter collision include:

• Driving while impaired due to alcohol or drugs
• Excessive speeding
• Distracted driving such as texting and driving
• Blind spots
• Failing to yield
• Running stop signs or red lights
• Poor weather conditions
• Nighttime driving
• Road defects such as potholes
• Low visibility
• Defective scooters
• Motor vehicle doors opening into traffic lanes
• Motor vehicles not being aware of these scooters on the road

Common Injuries Resulting From Scooter Accidents in Brooklyn

While the more general injuries from scooter accidents include concussions and lacerations, head injuries are actually much more common. In fact, of the 14,651 scooter-related injuries that occur annually, almost a third are head wounds. However, these aren’t the only severe problems that can come from scooters. Other popular issues caused by these accidents include:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Ankle and knee injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Facial scarring or trauma
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Road rash

Although some injuries are immediately apparent, others might not present themselves until days later. For example, you might not notice symptoms of a head or brain injury for a few days. Pay attention to symptoms like headaches that don’t go away, feeling confused or disoriented, balance problems, vision difficulties, nausea and vomiting, weakness, and numbness. If you have any of these symptoms after an accident, see a doctor right away and contact our Brooklyn electric scooter accident lawyers directly after.

Different Types Of Scooter Accidents In Major Cities

Just like any accident, there are a variety of different reasons that can be the cause. Scooters can be involved in a number of accidents, such as:

Scooter/Pedestrian Accidents

Scooter riders may ride unlawfully on sidewalks or fail to watch where they are going, which can cause a hazard for pedestrians. Other times, scooters may be abandoned outside their docking stations, creating a slip-and-fall hazard for passersby.

Scooter/Bicycle Accidents

Although scooters can go twice as fast as bicycles, they have to share the bike lane. If a rider is not careful, he or she could crash into something or fall off. Scooter and bicycle accidents are common in Brooklyn, however, one side is normally more at fault than the other.

Scooter/Motor Vehicle Collisions

Scooter riders are often susceptible to traffic accidents due to careless or distracted drivers, and these dangerous behaviors can lead to serious injuries. All too frequently, scooter riders are hit by vehicles while crossing the street, riding in parking lots, or even on driveway entrances.

Scooter Manufacturing Defects

It is the responsibility of companies to design and manufacture safe vehicles, as well as provide adequate instructions and warn users of any known risks. In addition, if a rideshare company fails to test and validate brakes, tires, or other components in its fleet, it could also be at fault.

Local Governments

If you lose control of your scooter due to an unsafe construction project or pothole, you can file a claim against the government, but it must be done soon after the accident. However, these claims are tricky and require an experienced Brooklyn scooter accident attorney by your side to take on large government entities responsible for your injuries.

Electric Scooter Accident Statistics

Revel Scooter Accident Statistics In New York City

Revel, a startup based in NYC, began operations in Brooklyn and Queens in 2018. Their 68-scooter pilot program rapidly expanded to over 1,000 within a year, along with expansion to metro areas like DC, Austin, Miami, and Oakland. However, according to the New York Post service was suspended four months after scooters debuted in Manhattan due to three deaths occurring within 10 days.

• Revel’s fatality rate in NYC was recorded as 1.38 deaths per million trips.
• By comparison, Citi Bike’s death rate was 0.02 deaths per million trips.
• In other words, Revel mopeds have seen 69x more deaths per million trips than Citi Bike.
• Three Revel riders and one pedestrian were killed over four months.

In response to the pandemic, Revel created new safety measures including mandatory “how-to” videos for all riders, ending overnight rentals, sending extended safety texts to all new riders, and requiring a helmet selfie be taken before each ride. One month later, we were back on city streets again.

According to The New York Times, Revel made these changes after they realized that 17% of all their crashes happened on the user’s first ride. Also, crash rates during nighttime hours increased by 59%. Out of the five fatalities that have occurred, three of them were because the rider lost control and wasn’t wearing a helmet. People who have filed lawsuits against Revel argue that there was a lack of proper instruction from the company as well as maintenance problems.

Bird Scooter Accident Statistics In New York City

Bird, one of the biggest scooter-sharing companies headquartered in Santa Monica, introduced their product in California back in September 2017. However, soon after its release; cases of people being injured from using the scooters started appearing in emergency rooms all over New York City.

• 40% of the Bird scooter injuries involved head trauma. Just 4% of riders were wearing helmets.
• Government studies from NHTSA have estimated 20 rider injuries for every 100,000 scooter trips.
• NHTSA research also indicates that the self-reported injury rate is 37.2 injuries per million miles, or 1 in 26,881 miles traveled.

Bird recommended that users wear helmets, but they fought a California proposal to make it mandatory. The company argued that helmet requirements could lead to fewer riders, and thereby increase the risk of injury because “there’s a safety in numbers.” Like Revel, Bird no longer allows overnight rentals and advocates for more bike lanes to help riders navigate cities where they operate; however, these efforts may not be enough to prevent future serious accidents. If you have already been hurt in a collision that you feel could have been prevented, contact a Brooklyn scooter accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Electric Scooter Injury Statistics

The Henry Ford Health System completed a study in 2020 revealing the most common injuries associated with rideshare scooters to be the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (28%)
• Lacerations (24.9%)
• Contusions and Abrasions (15.6%)
• Concussions (11.1%)
• Bone Fractures (7.8%)
• Organ Damage (4.5%)

Though not every consequence is permanent, some of the more common injuries associated with scooter accidents are ligament or nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, facial and dental damage, burns, and in more extreme cases: amputation surgeries. Internal bleeding and death can also be risks depending on the circumstances of each collision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Common Are Electric Scooter Accidents In Brooklyn?

E-scooters are not only a budget-friendly option but also offer convenience for those looking to get around Brooklyn. With an increase in the number of scooter rental programs, it’s no wonder that these electric vehicles have become increasingly common on the streets. However, what many people don’t know is that there has been a rise in accidents involving e-scooters across the U.S., some occurring right here in New York City.

E-scooters have been associated with a sharp increase in emergency room visits across the country, and New York City is no exception. In 2018, over 14,680 e-scooter injuries were reported nationwide–more than double the number of accidents in 2014. And reports indicate that e-scooters have been linked to a shocking increase in emergency room visits in the Bronx and other areas of NYC. Some accidents are just a few bumps and bruises, while others have resulted in more serious injuries now that scooter rentals are legal in New York. Regardless of how it happened, if you were injured on a scooter due to someone else’s negligence, contact the scooter accident lawyers Brooklyn residents trust.

What Is The Average Settlement For A Scooter Accident In New York?

Insurance companies will more often than not battle your personal injury claim by specifying that your injuries aren’t as bad as you’re making them out to be. Another popular method insurance adjusters use is blaming the victim, or in other words, trying to put the fault on you. That’s why it’s always beneficial to know what kind of value your accident case has before even reaching out to the insurance company. Determining a fair settlement offer can be tough because several things must be looked at such as:

• The nature and severity of the injuries
• The cost of medical care, rehabilitation, and other treatment costs
• The value of your lost wages and future income
• How the injury changed your day-to-day routine
• Whether you’ll suffer any permanent disability

Does New York’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Cover Electric Scooter Accidents?

If you’re a scooter rider and have hit someone, companies such as Revel may help with compensation for the accident. You would be held liable for the first $500 of damage done, but after that point, Revel’s user agreement agrees to pay up to $25,000 per person injured, $50,000 total per accident involving multiple people, and also $10,000 in property damage. Parties who were injured in the pedestrian or bicycle accident can still contact an attorney if their injuries surpass what insurance will cover.

If you’re hurt while riding a scooter in New York, most of these vehicles are classified as motorcycles. This means that riders aren’t entitled to no-fault benefits for their medical treatment like they would be if the accident was caused by something else. However, if injuries from an electric scooter crash can be proven to come from negligence or another person’s carelessness, then the rider has the right to compensation through a civil claim.

Contact Our Brooklyn Scooter Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured in an electric scooter accident, it’s crucial that you speak with a qualified Brooklyn scooter accident lawyer as soon as possible. There are currently gaps in the law surrounding electric scooters, so contacting an attorney right away will give you the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve. Rosenberg & Rodriguez has been fighting for the injured people of New York for decades and will use that experience to help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case. Contact our office today at (718) 509-4960 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.