Since 2018, e-scooters have grown in popularity. However, cities initially had difficulty regulating e-scooter use since their presence increased faster than the law could keep up. That is until laws like House Bill 295 added specific safety requirements e-scooter owners must abide by to lower the chances of an accident.
When manufacturers fail to add these safety features, or other negligent drivers on the road hit you, causing you to suffer catastrophic injuries, you’ll need an attorney to help you hold them accountable.
How Dangerous Are E-Scooter Accidents?
Before e-scooter laws were in place, these micro-mobility devices roamed the streets and sidewalks of major metropolitan areas and crowded college campuses without any safety requirements.
They were essentially treated like skateboards or non-electric scooters. However, these devices are much more dangerous because they can reach a top speed of 30 mph, and riders are often not wearing any safety equipment.
While all accidents could lead to severe injuries, car, and truck drivers are somewhat protected from minor accidents due to airbags and other safety features. This isn’t the case with e-scooter accidents. What might be felt as a minor fender bender to a car could be a life-threatening accident for an e-scooter rider.
Furthermore, other vehicles and pedestrians are still getting used to sharing roadways and sidewalks with e-scooters. Other drivers might not be aware of you on the road next to them, especially if you’re riding at night. This lack of visibility could cause them to unknowingly turn into you, resulting in a scooter rental accident.
E-Scooter Rental Companies in Ohio
Over the years, new e-scooter rental companies have sprouted up to keep up with demand in local areas. You might have been injured riding one of the following e-scooters:
- Bird
- Lime
- Ding Ding Scooters
- Spin
Ohio E-Scooter Laws
House Bill 295 defines e-scooters as a form of micro-mobility, which is a device that:
- Weighs less than 100 pounds
- Has handlebars
- Is propelled by an electric motor or human power
- Has a maximum speed of 20 mph
While the law states that e-scooter riders must abide by the following laws, such as yielding the right-of-way to all pedestrians and giving audible signals before passing pedestrians, e-scooter owners have their own regulations to follow.
The law requires that all e-scooters be equipped with a front-facing lamp that emits a white light visible from at least 500 feet. Additionally, e-scooters must have a rear reflector that can be seen from 100-600 feet.
Lastly, the new Ohio bill states that e-scooter owners must maintain up to $1 million in commercial general liability insurance. If e-scooter owners fail to adhere to these requirements, and you’re injured, they could be liable for your damages.
Why Get a Lawyer After An E-Scooter Accident
With new laws regulating the use and manufacturing of e-scooters, you’ll need an attorney to help explain how they could apply to your case and the process you must follow to recover compensation. An E-scooter accident attorney could help you in the following ways after the crash:
They’ll Help You Recover Damages
E-scooter accidents could result in devastating injuries that might require ongoing medical care. They could also be fatal, depending on the severity of the accident. In either case, an attorney could help you recover for the following damages:
- Current and ongoing medical expenses
- Physical pain
- Mental suffering
- Lost income
- Disfigurement
- Burial expenses and funeral costs if you lost your loved one
They’ll Help Determine the Cause of Your Accident
Through careful investigation of your case and the evidence involved, your attorney could determine what caused your accident. Your accident could have been caused by the following:
- Defective parts that caused your e-scooter to malfunction
- Defective roads that caused you to lose control
- Another negligent driver who hit you
- Negligent pedestrians or cyclists
- Dooring, which involves a driver opening their door right in front of you as you’re passing them
They’ll Find Who’s Liable
The following parties could be liable for your damages:
- E-Scooter Manufacturers – Defective parts or missing parts (required front and rear lights) could blame the company that manufactured the e-scooter
- Other Drivers – Distracted drivers might not see e-scooter riders in their blind spot, or they could open their door and cause an e-scooter crash
- Municipalities – Like motorcyclists, those riding e-scooters rely on well-paved roads free of defects. One crack in the road could cause a rider to lose control and slam into the pavement.
Injured in an E-Scooter Accident? Call Us Today
An e-scooter accident could cause lasting injuries, and you’ll need a legal advocate to recover the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The electric scooter accident attorneys at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA will investigate your case to determine all parties at fault and how to secure financial relief.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation by calling 419-625-7770.