Miami Scooter
Accident Attorney

Experienced Attorneys Representing
Florida Scooter Accident Victims

Although electric scooters are hardly a new technology, they have enjoyed a modern-day resurgence among tech entrepreneurs looking to create the next Uber-type disruption in the marketplace. Just recently the New York Times reported that Bird Rides Inc., one of the companies leading the new wave of scooter rental services, plans to raise an additional $300 million in venture capital this year. Services like Bird allow customers to “unlock” scooters placed throughout a given city for a nominal fee.

With more and more scooters on the streets it’s no surprise there are more accidents. Motorists are not accustomed to watching out for them and riders aren’t protected like they are in cars.

If you or someone you care about has been injured riding a scooter by the negligence of someone else, or a defective scooter you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our Miami scooter accident attorneys offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case. We’ve assisted in recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Give us a call at (305) 371-2692 to start your case.

Getting Results In Scooter Accident Cases

Scooter accidents, like all personal injury cases, require a rock solid understanding of the law, detailed analysis of the conditions during the incident, and strong legal representation. While scooters may not go as fast as motorcycles, injuries sustained by being hit by another motor vehicle can be just as severe.

You or someone you love may not be able to work, has medical bills stacking up, and is likely fighting with insurance companies for their own coverage and compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company. It’s tempting to accept any money that’s being offered the longer your case drags on.

We know the tricks that insurance companies utilize to minimize settlements or deny them entirely. A big part of our job as your attorney is collecting and documenting all of the evidence related to your case. We also help ensure that a meticulous record of all medical expenses, lost wages, diminished quality of life, and reduced earning potential are kept. This creates a clear picture for your claim of what happened and how it impacted your life.

Scooter Safety Concerns

The rapid increase in motorized scooters on city streets and sidewalks also raises serious public safety concerns. While many states require anyone riding a scooter to have a valid driver’s license and wear a helmet, web-based rental services have no way to check the latter. Nor can companies like Bird stop customers from operating scooters on public sidewalks, which often violate local laws and place pedestrians at higher risk for injury if there is a collision.

Indeed, according to an article in the UK-based technology publication The Register, San Francisco has banned scooter rental services outright. The city plans to introduce one-year “trial permits” for scooters in the future, which will be subject to strict caps on the total number of vehicles allowed.

Closer to home, some Florida localities have also taken proactive measures to promote safety in scooter rentals. For example, in October 2014 the City of Panama Beach in Bay County adopted stricter scooter regulations following an “almost 80 percent jump in accidents,” according to the Tampa Tribune. Among other things, Panama Beach now requires scooter rental companies to carry liability insurance and provide riders with safety vests and additional safety information.

Defective Scooters

In the event that you’re injured by a defective scooter, you’re able to file a product liability claim. If a scooter has a design flaw, was not built correctly, or has negligent maintenance it can be dangerous to ride. It’s often impossible to tell just by looking at a scooter if something is wrong. You may not know until an accident has happened.

The Santa Monica Daily Press reported on June 12 about the increasing number of brake failures experienced by rental scooters. The Daily Press interviewed a 56-year-old mechanic hired by Bird as an independent contractor to repair its scooters. The mechanic said she was “badly injured” when one of the scooters suffered brake failure. According to her report, it sent her “flying down the sidewalk.”

The reality is that like any other type of motor vehicle, defectively designed and poorly maintained scooters can seriously injure. In some cases scooter accidents kill riders. This is especially true when they do not have the proper training or support.

Contact an Experienced Miami
Scooter Accident Attorney Today

If you have been involved in a scooter accident you should contact an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer. Give us a call at (786)-756-7537 to start your case.