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Florida Scooter Accident Victims
Electric scooters have become a common way to get around Miami. Riders use scooters to travel through neighborhoods, commute to work, reach restaurants and businesses, and explore the city. But when a scooter collides with a vehicle, pedestrian, defective roadway, or another hazard, the resulting injuries can be severe.
A scooter rider has little protection against the force of a collision. A crash can cause a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, road rash, burns, or permanent disability. In the most serious cases, an electric scooter accident can result in wrongful death.
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, we represent people and families dealing with catastrophic injuries and wrongful death throughout Miami and Florida. We investigate how the accident happened, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue the compensation available under Florida law.
Miami Electric Scooter Accident Claims
Electric scooter accidents can happen in many different ways. A rider may be struck by a turning vehicle, hit by a distracted driver, collide with a pedestrian, or lose control because of a dangerous roadway condition.
Common scooter accident scenarios include:
- Cars turning across a scooter rider’s path
- Drivers failing to yield to scooter riders
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Doorings involving parked vehicles
- Hit-and-run collisions
- Scooter and pedestrian crashes
- Defective scooters or components
- Battery fires and explosions
- Dangerous sidewalks or roadway conditions
- Crashes involving delivery riders
- Fatal electric scooter accidents
The circumstances of each accident are different. Determining who may be responsible requires a careful investigation of the crash and the evidence surrounding it.
Why Electric Scooter Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
An electric scooter does not provide the protection of a passenger vehicle. A rider can be thrown onto pavement or into another vehicle after even a relatively short collision.
Serious scooter accidents can cause:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A rider may suffer a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury after striking the pavement, a vehicle, or another object. Some brain injuries can affect memory, concentration, speech, movement, and a person’s ability to work or live independently.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A hard impact can damage the spinal cord and cause permanent neurological impairment. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, a victim may experience paralysis or significant loss of mobility.
Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries
Scooter riders often instinctively use their arms or legs to protect themselves during a fall. High-impact crashes can cause fractures involving the wrists, arms, shoulders, legs, hips, and pelvis.
Road Rash and Scarring
Sliding across pavement can remove layers of skin and cause deep abrasions. Severe road rash may require surgery, skin grafts, and extensive treatment and can leave permanent scars.
Internal Injuries
A collision can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs without producing immediately obvious symptoms. Emergency medical evaluation is important after a serious crash.
Permanent Disability
Some scooter accidents result in injuries that permanently change a person’s physical abilities, employment prospects, and daily life. Catastrophic injuries may require lifelong medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistive equipment, home modifications, or personal care.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Scooter Accident?
Liability depends on how the accident occurred. More than one party may potentially be responsible.
Negligent Drivers
A motorist who speeds, drives while distracted, fails to yield, turns improperly, or otherwise violates traffic rules may cause a scooter collision.
Vehicle Owners and Other Responsible Parties
Depending on the circumstances, questions may arise concerning the ownership and use of the vehicle involved in the crash and whether another party may share responsibility.
Scooter Manufacturers and Other Companies
A defective scooter, battery, brake system, tire, throttle, or other component may contribute to an accident. Product liability issues can become particularly important when a defect causes a serious injury or fire.
Property Owners or Other Parties
A dangerous condition on private property, a sidewalk, or another location may contribute to a scooter accident. The specific facts determine whether a property owner or another party may have legal responsibility.
An investigation should consider all potential causes rather than automatically assuming that only the scooter rider or driver is responsible.
What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident in Miami
If you are physically able to do so after a scooter crash, take steps to preserve evidence.
Report the Accident
Contact the appropriate authorities and make sure the accident is documented. If another vehicle was involved, obtain the driver’s information when it is safe to do so.
Get Medical Attention
Some serious injuries may not be immediately apparent. Seek medical evaluation and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
Photograph the Scene
Photographs can document the scooter, vehicle damage, roadway, sidewalk, traffic signs, debris, visible injuries, and other conditions that may later change.
Identify Witnesses
Obtain contact information for people who witnessed the accident when possible.
Preserve the Scooter and Other Evidence
Do not discard or repair a damaged scooter before its condition has been documented. Preserve the scooter, battery, charger, purchase information, photographs, and other potentially relevant evidence.
Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement Without Understanding Your Rights
Insurance companies may contact injured riders shortly after an accident. Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, understand what the insurance company is asking you to establish and whether the full extent of your injuries is known.
What Compensation May Be Available?
The losses resulting from a serious scooter accident can extend far beyond the initial emergency-room visit.
Depending on the circumstances of the claim, recoverable damages may involve losses associated with:
- Medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Future medical care
- Lost income
- Reduced ability to earn
- Physical pain
- Permanent impairment
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Other consequences of a catastrophic injury
The value and scope of a claim depend on its specific facts, the applicable law, and the evidence supporting the losses.
Electric Scooter Wrongful Death Claims
Some scooter crashes are fatal.
When an electric scooter accident results in death, the surviving family may face medical and funeral expenses, emotional loss, and significant financial consequences. Florida’s wrongful death laws establish specific procedures for pursuing a claim and determining recoverable damages.
A fatal scooter accident should be thoroughly investigated. Evidence from the accident scene, vehicles, scooter, surveillance systems, witnesses, medical records, and other sources may help establish what happened and who was responsible.
Miami Scooter Accidents Involving Visitors
Miami attracts visitors from across the United States and around the world, and tourists frequently use scooters to get around the city.
A visitor injured in a Miami scooter accident may face additional complications involving medical care, insurance, travel arrangements, employment, and pursuing a claim while living outside Florida.
DDRB represents people injured in Florida, including visitors who suffer serious injuries while traveling.
Why a Serious Scooter Accident Requires a Thorough Investigation
A scooter accident may initially appear to be a simple traffic collision. Serious cases can be much more complicated.
An investigation may need to determine:
- Who had the right of way
- Whether a driver was distracted or impaired
- Whether traffic laws were violated
- Whether video footage exists
- Whether witnesses saw the collision
- Whether the scooter malfunctioned
- Whether a defective component contributed to the accident
- Whether a dangerous property condition played a role
- What insurance policies may apply
- Whether another person or company shares responsibility
For catastrophic injuries, preserving evidence early can be especially important.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami Scooter Accidents
Can I file a claim if a car hit my electric scooter?
Potentially. If another driver’s negligence caused the collision, the circumstances may support a personal injury claim. Liability and available insurance coverage depend on the facts of the accident.
What if the driver left the scene?
A hit-and-run does not necessarily mean an injured scooter rider has no options. The investigation may uncover the vehicle or driver, and available insurance coverage should also be examined.
What if my scooter caused the accident because it malfunctioned?
A mechanical or electrical failure may raise product liability issues. Preserve the scooter and its components rather than discarding them, particularly if a serious injury occurred.
Can a scooter accident cause a catastrophic injury?
Yes. Riders can suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, severe fractures, amputations, burns, and other permanent injuries.
What if a scooter accident caused someone’s death?
A fatal scooter accident may give rise to a Florida wrongful death claim. The applicable legal procedures and damages depend on the circumstances.
Talk to a Miami Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
A serious electric scooter accident can affect nearly every part of your life. Medical treatment can continue for months or years, while a permanent injury can affect your ability to work, support your family, and live independently.
Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP represents people suffering catastrophic injuries and families dealing with wrongful death after serious accidents in Miami and throughout Florida.
If you or a family member has suffered a serious injury in an electric scooter accident, contact DDRB to discuss the circumstances of your case and your legal options.
Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP
2665 S Bayshore Dr., Suite 603
Miami, FL 33133
(305) 371-2692
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