Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident that involved an electric scooter? Whether you were the operator of the scooter, a pedestrian, or other bystander, a collision involving a Lime scooter can result in serious injuries.
As a Lime scooter lawyer Washington DC residents turn to for honest advice, our firm would like to talk with you. When you call us for a complimentary consultation we can assist you with your claim and let you know what legal options you may have.
In Washington DC, Lime, Byrd, and Skip are a couple of the licensed companies that provide tourists and residents with an electric scooter.The appeal of these electric scooters has led to a soar in their usage, but so too have related accidents and injuries. When a collision occurs, you should have a good Lime scooter lawyer in Washington DC on your side.
Basic Laws for Lime Scooter Riders in Washington DC
Scooter companies are sweeping across Washington DC and the U.S. as a whole. However, in many states, including Washington DC, the laws are not very clear to those who hop on a scooter, sees one parked on a sidewalk, or is confronted with one coming at you. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, electric scooters are within the category of a Personal Mobility Device (PMD). The following are the most up to date laws regarding electric scooters in DC.
- Electric scooters are not considered to be a motor vehicle.
- Scooter operators should be at least 16 years of age.
- Scooters can be used on sidewalks, but not in the Central Business District.
- Scooters can be used in the DC bike lanes.
- Scooter riders do not have to wear a helmet.
Although these laws are a good start, there is plenty of room for error or negligence. Our Lime scooter lawyers in Washington DC have known of many cases to involve moderate to serious injuries because of a collision with a pedestrian, other scooter rider, object, or moving vehicle. Because riders typically do not wear a helmet, the risk of a head injury is high. Some of the common injuries include:
- Head or brain injuries
- Neck and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial lacerations
- Road rash
- Bruising
- Scarring
- + More
When a scooter accident is the result of a human error, it may be considered negligence. As a Lime scooter lawyer, we find that many of these electric scooter accidents involve:
- Distracted drivers
- Cyclists
- Mechanical failure
- Manufacturing defect
- Poor maintenance
The later reasons for an accident to happen may be related to many scooters being left in random places; thereby, the company does not properly maintain them. In other cases, because these modes of transportation are new, there is a risk of design flaws.
Due to Lime scooter injury cases to be new to the court system as a whole, there could be some challenges involved; however, many of them do have sufficient grounds for pursuing a negligence claim. Get in touch with a Lime scooter lawyer Washington DC recommends by calling Cohen & Cohen.
