E-Scooter Accidents

Move over Uber and Lyft – there’s a new transportation fad in town.

Have you seen the new e-scooters cruising through downtown Tampa Bay? Fun, yes, but this new trend doesn’t come without concern. Sadly, Tampa recently recorded its first death of an electric scooter rider, and since the fall of 2017, at least eight people in the United States have been killed while using rentable e-scooters.

The deadly accident in Tampa occurred when a rider, who was not wearing a helmet, collided with a semi-truck. Other lives taken include a 20-year old in Atlanta, GA who was riding a scooter after midnight, a 26-year old hit by an SUV in Nashville, TN, and a five-year–old boy who fell off a scooter and was hit by a car.

Are there safety regulations for E-scooters in place?

Currently, the state of Florida is seriously lacking in terms of safety regulations for e-scooter riders. Although rental companies suggest people wear helmets, they are not required. According to law enforcement and health care agencies, fewer than five percent of e-scooter riders wear helmets.

E-Scooters in Tampa, FL: Good or Bad?

Ignoring the negative experience of many cities, it seems as if the city of Tampa jumped into the scooter business by partnering with four different rental companies.

Additionally, officials seem more preoccupied with scooters not being returned and cluttering sidewalks than the safety issues. This lack of concern has already resulted in one death, and if it doesn’t improve, there will likely be more injuries.

Risks of Riding E-Scooters

More than likely you’re fully aware of the risk you take every time you hop on a scooter, because like bicycles and motorcycles, electric scooters can be hard to spot on the road.

Most auto accidents involving e-Scooter crashes are the result of a motorist failing to see a rider. The lack of protection scooter riders have while on the road puts them at greater risk of serious long-term injury, or even wrongful death, should an accident occur.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a scooter accident due to a driver’s negligence, it is imperative to immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case.

Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents

If a driver is negligent, purposeful or not, and causes a car vs. scooter accident, he or she should be held liable. Some of the more common causes of scooter accidents include:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Turning in front of or into an e-Scooter
Not paying attention to blind spots

When an individual on an electric scooter has been hit by a car or truck, the injuries can be truly devastating. Mickey Keenan Law firm has the experience to fight for the best settlement on your behalf. Contact our veteran Tampa injury attorneys today.

What Riders Can Do

Wear a helmet

When e-scooters first came on the scene, people were curious and wanted to hop on for a quick ride without being prepared to so. Now, because electric scooters have been around for a bit, riders we hope will come prepared and wear a helmet. E-scooter apps are also doing their part by encouraging riders to wear a helmet. In fact, tens of thousands of helmets have been distributed to riders, but as noted above, studies show that helmet use is few and far between.

Stay in your lane

Granted you should stay in the bike lane or on the sidewalks, some riders take more leeway. Treat riding on an electric scooter as you would a bike and stay in the bike lane wherever possible.This can protect both pedestrians and riders.

E-Scooter Accidents are More Serious than Auto Accidents

These accidents can be more serious than car accidents – the lack of protection surrounding you can yield long-term injuries.

Attorneys Mickey Keenan and David Carter are always just a phone call away when you have any questions about your personal injury case. While no settlement can make life get back to normal,they’re fully invested in helping to get you the best settlement possible to compensate for your injuries. Call our South Tampa, FL lawyers today.