Pennsylvania E-Scooter Accident Lawyers

What to Do If You Are Injured in a Dockless Scooter Accident

In crowded cities across the United States, finding a better way to get around town is a never-ending quest. Utilizing scooter sharing programs, such as Lime and Bird, allows city residents to zip through traffic. Even though these e-scooters may be a great way of saving the planet and getting around, they also carry some inherent risks. Many people who utilize e-scooters are inexperienced and, often, motorists are not keeping an eye out for people on scooters. Unsurprisingly, this leads to numerous e-scooter accidents every year.

At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, our Pennsylvania e-scooter accident lawyers are helping accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and across the United States. With decades of experience in personal injury litigation, our team of attorneys is prepared to fight for your rights, including your right to recover compensation for your injuries. We have a proven record of results, having recovered more than $110 million for our clients.

Injured in an e-scooter accident? Contact us online or call (877) 989-4878 to request a free consultation with a member of our legal team.

Dockless Scooter Companies under Fire

Since 2017, electric scooter programs have been popping up across the United States. Similar to ride sharing and bike sharing programs, the purpose of dockless scooters is to reduce our dependence on cars for short-distance trips which, in turn, helps reduce traffic and lower emissions, thereby saving the planet from further harm. The electric scooter can be rented at the cost of just 15 cents per minute and can reach 15 miles per hour, providing an affordable and efficient method of travel throughout urban areas.

Although Lime and Bird stress the importance of safety, it is up to the rider to follow the rules. Since September 2019, Lime has been under fire for safety issues after a scooter rider died in a crash. According to news reports, several riders received injuries after the electric scooter model broke apart while in use. Photos throughout social media feature scooters broken into two, often where the baseboard and stem meet.

In October 2019, Lime announced scooters that had been manufactured by Chinese company Okai have been removed, stating the model broke apart “when subjected to repeated abuse.”

This incident is not the first time Lime has faced safety issues. Currently, a class action lawsuit has been filed in California citing gross negligence on behalf of scooter rental companies, which allegedly led to many injuries to pedestrians and riders.

Common E-Scooter Accidents

Like ridesharing programs, such as Uber and Lyft, scooter sharing has seen a meteoric rise with little to no regulation. Without the laws needed to protect riders and non-riders alike, many accidents have occurred.

The most common scooter sharing accidents include:

• A pedestrian tripping over a scooter left on the sidewalk
• Recklessly crossing intersections at fast speeds
• Malfunctioning tires or brakes
• Road hazards
• E-scooter riders being struck by cars and other vehicles
• Collisions between e-scooter riders and pedestrians/bicyclists

Since this industry is so new, it’s easy to be confused about what your next steps should be after an e-scooter accident. Both Lime and its rival, Bird, make users sign liability waivers. However, these waivers do not bar claims of gross negligence. Rest assured, if you were involved in a scooter riding accident in Pennsylvania, you might be eligible to recoup damages through legal action.

How Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC Can Help

For years, our personal injury lawyers have been fighting for the injured throughout Pennsylvania. We understand the complexities involved in e-scooter accident claims, which is why we work as a team to thoroughly investigate these cases and determine who is liable. In every instance, our goal is to maximize our clients’ recoveries so that they can focus on healing and moving forward with their lives.

The time to act is now. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to investigate your case. Additionally, Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims, meaning you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. If you were involved in an accident with a scooter rental from Lime or Bird and needed legal representation, remember that results matter.

Contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC now for a free consultation: (877) 989-4878. We are available 24/7 to take your call.