A Scooter Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Injured in a crash involving an electric scooter? The Advocates are here for you.
Electric scooters rented from scooter companies like Bird, Lime, and Spin have become a popular mode of transportation in many cities across the United States. However, with the rise in e-scooter usage has come an increase in scooter-related injuries. From collisions with cars and other motor vehicles to incidents involving pedestrians or fixed objects, there are a number of hazards involved with the use of electric scooters.
E-scooter accidents can cause serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. After an accident, it’s normal to feel upset and overwhelmed. A scooter accident attorney with The Advocates can help you deal with all the stressors of the recovery process, and help you get your life back on track.
If your electric scooter accident was caused by the negligence of another person or a scooter rental company, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, the other party’s insurance company will not make it easy for you to obtain the settlement you deserve. Insurance adjusters use a number of tricks to avoid paying you fairly. The Advocates have been representing accident victims for more than two decades. We know how to build a case, negotiate with insurance providers, and get you back on your feet.
We are ready to answer any questions you may have about your situation, such as:
How will my medical bills get paid?
Who is liable for my accident?
What will happen if I can’t return to work because of my injuries?
Or do I even have a personal injury case at all?
Our experienced personal injury attorneys have assisted thousands of accident victims in recovering damages. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our Attorneys Truly Care About You and Your Family
We don’t call ourselves Advocates without reason. We truly care about the clients we represent and will go the extra mile to help them fully recover. As a client of The Advocates, we will treat you as if you are our one and only client. Your needs will always be our first priority. After The Advocates accept your case, you’ll never be just one more case among thousands.
The Advocates and their staff are exceptional. Their attorneys are prepared and dedicated to help you meet your needs. They will communicate with you throughout your entire case. If you’ve been in a car accident, I highly recommend The Advocates.
T Wray
What Can The Advocates Do For My Case?
The Advocates personal injury law firm not only provides skilled legal representation, but also compassionate care personalized to your unique circumstances. We understand that every accident case is different, and we’ll go above and beyond to make sure your needs are met.
We take pride in providing up-front, honest communication with all of our clients. From the moment you contact us to the day your case settles, The Advocates will be by your side to help you:
Access the medical care you need- Take care of any property damage
Communicate with your employer regarding your accident
Build your case- Negotiate a settlement
- The Advocates are more than attorneys. We are members of your community who truly care about you and will do everything we can to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. That’s why we work on contingency only: you only pay if we win your case.
Why You Need an Accident Attorney
After your electric scooter accident, it’s easy to feel hopeless about the pain and stress you are experiencing. The personal injury claims process can be complex, and insurance companies do not make it any easier.
When recovering from injuries, you should have to worry about fighting with insurance providers or stress over how you will pay your bills. You should be able to focus on feeling better. While you take care of yourself, The Advocates will be there to take care of the rest.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be able to seek compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses (in the case of wrongful death)
Contact The Advocates today for a free case evaluation. We can help you determine what damages you are owed after your accident.
The Advocates Claims Process
For many accident victims, the claims process is full of uncertainty and distress. If you’re not sure of the next step to take after your accident, it’s time to call The Advocates personal injury lawyers. We will be there to help you every step of the way– with an Advocate, you are never alone.
Once you’ve contacted The Advocates, your attorney will come up with a customized plan for your case. In many cases, you cannot receive a settlement until you have finished medical treatment, because the sum total of your medical expenses will be unknown until then.
Meanwhile, your Advocate will work diligently to investigate your accident and build your case. We will gather evidence from the scene of the accident, including photos and videos, police reports, and witness statements.
Once you’ve finished treatment and liability has been established, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. The demand letter outlines the damages you are seeking. At this point, negotiations will begin. Your Advocate will handle all contact with the other party for you.
Most cases can be settled through negotiations, but sometimes the other party will refuse to make a fair offer. In this case, your Advocate will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator, who will determine who is liable for damages and how much money is owed.
Washington Scooter Injury Statistics
Car accidents, bicycle crashes, and motorcycle accidents have always been an issue on public roadways, but scooter accidents have become increasingly common in the last several years. This is likely because more people feel comfortable and confident riding a scooter than other types of motor vehicles, regardless of their experience with scooters. Scooters are also more accessible to children, since bike-share bicycles are often adult-sized.
Motorists may fail to look out for scooters, as they are not as common on roadways as bicycles or motorcycles. Below are some statistics regarding scooter accidents in the state of Washington and the nation as a whole.
When and where are e-scooter accidents most likely to occur?
Most e-scooter accidents happen on sidewalks, even in areas where riding on sidewalks is prohibited. While 15 miles per hour may not seem very fast, it is much faster than pedestrians are moving. It can be easy to inadvertently collide with another person on the sidewalk.
Additionally, most crashes between cars and scooters occur when a scooter rider enters the street from a sidewalk, or crosses the entrance of a driveway.
Other issues with scooters on the sidewalk include parking. Many rental companies allow their scooters to be parked anywhere. Because of this, scooters often end up left lying in the middle of sidewalks, making them a hazard for everyone else, particularly people with disabilities. Blind people and those in wheelchairs may have a hard time navigating around the scooters, which can lead to accidents and injuries.
What are the most common causes of electric scooter accidents?
Depending on where a scooter is ridden, there are a number of types of accidents that can occur. When scooters are ridden on public roadways, the scooter rider risks collisions with cars, trucks, and large debris that accumulates near the side of the road.
E-scooter riders who ride on multi-purpose paths may collide with bicyclists, pedestrians, other scooter riders, and fixed objects. It’s crucial that scooter riders are always aware of their surroundings and riding responsibly.
Some common causes of e-scooter accidents include:
- Drivers failing to see scooter
- Improper turns
- Failure to obey signs and signals
- Mechanical failures
- Road hazards
- Being “doored” by a car
- Distracted riding
- Impaired riding
Whether you are driving a car, riding a scooter, or using another mode of transportation, always expect other people to act unpredictably. The more aware you are when sharing space with motor vehicles, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident.
What are the most common scooter accident injuries?
Injuries from scooter accidents can have a great range in severity, depending on the nature of the accident. Some of the most common scooter accident injuries include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations, bruising, and road rash
- Broken teeth
Washington E-Scooter Laws
In 2018, the state of Washington updated state regulations surrounding the use of e-scooters, due to the rise in popularity. In many cases, local governments are permitted to create their own laws in regard to scooter usage. Below are some state-wide laws for e-scooter riders in Washington.
What is legally considered a “scooter?”
A motorized foot scooter is a device with two wheels that are no larger than ten inches in diameter, handlebars, and is powered by a motor with a maximum speed of no more than 20 miles per hour. The operator stands on the scooter in order to ride it.
Are helmets required to ride a scooter in Washington?
Scooter riders must comply with the bicycle helmet laws in all areas in which they are riding. There is no state law regarding helmet use, but some cities and counties, such as Spokane, do require helmets to be worn. It is important that riders are familiar with the laws in any area they plan to ride.
Are e-scooters required to use the bike lane?
E-scooters may be ridden in bike lanes, but are not generally required to use the bike lane– they may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed (as long as motorized vehicles are not prohibited). This includes shared paths and bicycle trails.
Can e-scooters ride on the sidewalk?
In general, scooter riders may not operate an e-scooter on the sidewalk, due to the high risk of collision with a pedestrian. However, the state also allows local jurisdictions to create their own authorization for e-scooter riders, so riding on the sidewalk may be legal in some cities and towns.
What equipment must a scooter have to ride on the road?
The only additional equipment an e-scooter must have are reflectors, if the rider is riding at any time between a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.
Do e-scooters need to stop at red lights and stop signs?
When riding in bike lanes, scooters must obey all the same rules of the road that bicyclists do. This includes obeying all signs and signals, adhering to speed limits (statewide, the limit is 15 miles per hour for e-scooters), and yielding the right-of-way when applicable.
Hire a Scooter Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a negligent driver in Seattle, Spokane, or elsewhere in Washington state, The Advocates are ready to help. Our experienced attorneys will provide you with competent legal representation and thoughtful, compassionate care throughout your entire recovery. Don’t go through the recovery process alone. The Advocates have your back.