Washington DC Scooter Accident Lawyer

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Scooter Accident Lawyer Washington, DC

One of the things you should do if you have been in an accident involving a bird scooter in Washington, DC is to contact a bird scooter accident lawyer Washington, DC residents recommend.

Bird scooters have quickly become one of the more popular modes of transportation to get around the Washington, DC area. Many people find electric scooters to be a fun, convenient, and economical way to get around. Proponents of this mode of transportation tote it as being an environmentally friendlier way to get around compared to vehicles that use fossil fuels. Many people even say that they are more environmentally friendly than other larger and heavier electric vehicles because they use less electricity to go the same distance.

Along with this almost instant popularity has also come an unfortunate reality of people getting hurt in accidents involving Bird and other electric scooters. If you or someone you care about was injured in a scooter accident involving a Bird in Washington, DC, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with successfully defending the rights of Bird accident victims.

What Should I Do After an Electric Scooter Accident?

Electric scooters operated by companies like Bird, Lime, Skip, Lyft, and JUMP have become common on the sidewalks and street corners of many American cities. The vehicles are simple to operate. Using a proprietary smartphone app (or, in the case of Lyft and JUMP, an existing rideshare app) and the QR code printed on the handlebars, a rider can unlock the device, step on, and start riding to their destination in a matter of seconds. Most charge a dollar to unlock and then charge a few cents per minute thereafter.

Once a rider reaches his or her destination, the app can be used again to conclude the ride and lock the scooter once more. Most rides within cities cost only a few dollars, making them an affordable, convenient, and attractive way to get the last few blocks from public transit or a carpool drop off site on to the destination.

At the end of the day, when the scooters are depleted of battery, independent contractors collect the dead scooters and take them to charging points to be recharged for the following day. This practice has attracted some criticism, as these contractors often earn very little for their efforts and can cause traffic hazards by frequent stops to collect scooters during rush-hour traffic.

With more scooters than ever on the streets, the number of accidents has rapidly climbed. Whether the accidents involve uneven pavement, inattentive riders, faulty equipment, pedestrians, or other vehicles, the likelihood of serious injuries is high. Those involved in an electric scooter accident should keep a few things in mind immediately afterward.

First, document everything. Take photographs that clearly show where the accident took place, how the accident took place, and what injuries occurred, if they are clear. Having photographs can help your scooter accident attorney from Cohen & Cohen piece together the incident and bring your claim later on.

You should also get contact information and statements from any witnesses. The more witnesses, the better. Remember that some witnesses may not be reachable later on, so having more contacts will ensure someone else will corroborate your story. Don’t just get a statement alone; their word is inadmissible unless they can actually tell their story in court.

If the app has a way to report an accident, make sure you use it, but do not sign any waivers or agree to any new terms and conditions after the fact. This is especially true if the accident was caused by an equipment malfunction or structural failure of the scooter. 

Finally, be prepared to notify authorities. Even if you do not think it is important, exchange auto insurance information with everyone involved. Your e-scooter attorney may be able to use that auto insurance information to your benefit later on.

Does it matter whose fault a Bird accident is?

It does not matter whose fault a bird accident is if someone was injured because of someone else’s negligence. If someone who was riding a Bird was hurt by a negligent driver, pedestrian, another scooter rider or by anyone who was being negligent, reckless or malicious, the victim of this accident may be entitled to compensation for expenses related to their injury. If a negligent Bird rider caused an accident where property and/or another person or people were injured, the Bird rider may be responsible for the expenses the accident created.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a Washington, D.C. Bird accident, getting legal advice from a lawyer may help you to determine what your next steps should be.

Who regulates Bird scooters and riders?

Electric scooters are part of a new industry that is creating new legal issues. The Bird company has been confronted with considerable controversy, including their failure to secure business licenses and vendor permits before making their scooters available to public consumers.  Bird riders are supposed to possess valid drive licenses and be over the age of 18 but thus far, this has not been enforced in many of the areas where Birds are popular. Even though Bird may find ways to regulate their customer base, as is, pretty much anyone with a smartphone and the Bird app, and money to get a scooter started, can begin riding one.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a Bird in Washington D.C., it may be time to contact a reliable Bird accident lawyer to find out what your rights are. If someone was tragically killed in an accident involving a Bird, their immediate family members may be entitled to compensation for their loss and for any expenses that their loved one’s untimely death has caused.

For a highly rated bird scooter accident lawyer Washington, D.C. is fortunate to have in its midst, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.