Can I Receive Compensation for Injuries on an Electric Scooter?

 Posted on July 16, 2019 in Bicycle Accidents

Electric scooters (also known as e-scooters) are a form of transportation that is becoming more and more popular in cities across the United States. While these types of scooters are not new, the business behind them has changed. Companies such as Bird have begun offering rentable electric scooters that are placed on the side of the road for anyone to use. A person can use an app to rent an available scooter, then hop on for a ride. However, since these scooters have begun to pop up on city streets and college campuses, the number of scooter-related injuries has increased significantly, and people who are injured may be unsure about their legal options.

Are These Scooters Legal in Wisconsin?

The first electric scooters arrived in Milwaukee in June 2018. The city did not approve of the scooters, nor did it know that they were coming. Though well-liked by Wisconsinites, city officials disapproved the scooters due to safety and legal concerns. The rentable scooters were removed from the streets of Milwaukee last year, but they may be returning soon. The state Senate recently passed a bill related to scooters, and if this law is approved by the Assembly, it would allow the local government to regulate the use of electric scooters and collect taxes on their use.

E-Scooter Injuries

Electric scooters may be a quick and easy way to get from point A to point B, but they pose significant risks to their users. According to a study from Austin Public Health, 20 individuals were injured for every 100,000 e-scooter trips. Almost half of the injured riders suffered a severe injury. These included bone fractures and nerve, tendon, and ligament injuries, which often resulted in a victim spending more than 48 hours in the hospital and experiencing severe bleeding and sustained organ damage.

Because these electric scooters are so new, the legal issues surrounding their use can be difficult to navigate and understand. Riders agree to the company’s terms and conditions when they download the app. If the rider collides with a pedestrian, damages another person’s property, or causes a motor vehicle collision, they may be responsible for the resulting damages. However, if a person is injured because of a faulty scooter, the company may be responsible. Some companies offer insurance coverage for riders, but demonstrating fault for an injury and receiving compensation can be tricky, since this area of the law is so new. 

Contact a Milwaukee Scooter Injury Lawyer

E-scooters can provide a quick and easy mode of transportation, but they can also cause serious injuries if they do not function correctly. These scooters may soon become legal on the streets of Milwaukee, and riders, pedestrians, and drivers should be aware of the potential risks they pose. If you have been injured in an accident involving an e-scooter, contact the Milwaukee, WI personal injury attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP to learn about your options for recovering compensation. Call 414-271-1440 to schedule a consultation today.

Sources:

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Health/Epidemiology/APH_Dockless_Electric_Scooter_Study_5-2-19.pdf

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/06/12/electric-scooters-could-return-wisconsin-cities-legally/1410878001/

https://www.inc.com/magazine/201902/will-yakowicz/bird-electric-scooter-travis-vanderzanden-2018-company-of-the-year.html

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/mobility/2019/06/26/scooter-crashes-insurance-coverage-bird-lime-spin/39628481/