Can You Sue if You’re Injured Riding an Electric Scooter?
Motorized and electric scooters are an affordable, convenient way to get around downtown Coral Gables, downtown Miami, Brickell, and Miami Beach. With an increasing amount of traffic on the roads, it is no wonder that people are using different ways to get from one area to the next. It’s not uncommon to see multiple scooters parked outside office or apartment buildings in the city—the scooter has revolutionized metropolitan commuting.
There are many different types of scooters. Whether they’re the kick scooters or the electronic scooters that can go as fast as a car by the power of an electric engine, there are a variety of choices with it comes to transporting oneself via scooter.
While scooters are fun and effective modes of transportation that are environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive ], there are pros and cons when riding a scooter in Miami. One of the most popular types of scooters in Miami is the e-scooter, defined as motor scooters, (which are different from motor scooters with seats or saddles) that do not exceed 30 mph on level ground and typically have three or fewer wheels.
E-scooters are not required to be titled or registered in Florida to be operated, and there are many companies that provide a ride-sharing option for scooter use around downtown areas.
In June 2019, e-scooters were legalized in the state of Florida. The bill lifted the restriction that e-scooters could only operate on sidewalks, and gave e-scooter operators the same rights and responsibilities as bicyclists, allowing e-scooter riders to lawfully use bike lanes, streets, and park on the sidewalk. However, the bills authorized cities and counties to set their own regulations regarding e-scooters, including whether someone can ride an e-scooter on a city’s sidewalks or streets and where e-scooters may be lawfully parked.
Certainly, with a mix of bicyclists, motorcyclists, e-scooter riders, and motor vehicle drivers in the congestion of South Florida that is often under construction, you can imagine the dangers those on the road face.
There are a number of injuries that could occur from a scooter accident, and it is critical to call 911 as soon as possible to receive medical treatment from professionals. While injuries to the chest and abdomen are less common, injuries to the upper and lower extremities of the body as well as the head were more common. A study in JAMA found that the most common types of injuries from these accidents included the following:
● Fractures
● Dislocated Joints
● Head injuries
● Soft tissue injuries
● Sprains
● Bruises
● Abrasions
Seeking medical attention is the first step after an accident. The next step to take is to contact an experienced attorney about your case right away so that you can protect your legal rights. By speaking with an experienced Miami accident attorney at Clayton Trial Lawyers (“CTL”), you can be sure that you will secure your right to obtain fair compensation after your accident.
Due to the complexity of the rules and regulations surrounding scooters on the road, you will want the elite attorneys at CTL to assess your case to be sure you are protected against a low settlement offer from an insurance company. If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a scooter accident in Miami-Dade County, don’t hesitate, to call CTL today for a free case consultation.
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