What NJ Residents Need to Know About e-Scooter Accidents
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E-Scooters create a relatively new vista in personal injury law. As they grow more ubiquitous, we expect to see more injury cases.
Unfortunately they’ve already caused many injuries nationwide, and sometimes recovering compensation from these accidents is complicated.
When an E-Scooter Collides with a Pedestrian
One of the most difficult challenges posed by e-scooters is that New Jersey law doesn’t require them to be insured if they go less than 19 miles per hour. That can make recovery difficult.
If the rider was driving a rental scooter we may be able to recover from the scooter company’s own business liability insurance.
If the rider owned their own scooter then we are left trying to recover from the rider, which can be very difficult if they don’t have the resources to pay the claim.
When a Car Collides With an E-Scooter
If the driver was at-fault then this would be treated much like a pedestrian or bicycle claim. The driver’s insurance company will most likely pay the claim and the personal injury case will proceed as normal.
Trip and Fall Accidents Resulting from E-Scooters
Many people who rent e-scooters just drop them wherever they happen to be standing when they’re done. This is one reason why so many individuals dislike e-scooter rentals being allowed to take root in New Jersey towns and cities.
If you trip and fall due to an e-scooter that’s in your path you may either be able to hold the rental company accountable or the municipality where you were injured. Either way you’re going to want to act fast to get legal help as you may need to meet certain deadlines to recover funds, as you must at any time when the municipality would be involved.
Malfunctioning E-Scooters
Theoretically if you are injured while riding an electric scooter you should be able to sue the rental company, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes the rental agreements that you have to agree to (on the app, when you rent the scooter), release the company from all liability, and riders don’t find out about it until it’s too late.
Make sure you understand the agreement on any scooter company you choose to use.
What to Do If You’re Injured in an E-Scooter Accident
While liability can be a sticky issue, you should still take the same steps in a scooter accident that you might take in any other. That is you should:
- Call the police and file a report.
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses.
- If a car was involved, get the driver’s insurance and contact information.
- Take photos of the scene (more than you think you’ll need!) of the scooter and of your injuries.
- Get medical attention and follow all of your doctor’s instructions. Keep all bills, prescriptions, and discharge instructions.
- Contact a personal injury attorney right away.
As complicated as liability can be in an e-scooter case you still owe it to yourself to contact an attorney who can make a thorough review and who can attempt to help you get your injuries covered in the event of an accident.
Contact our offices for a risk-free evaluation today.
See also:
4 Reasons a Judge Might Dismiss Your NJ Personal Injury Case
Which Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial
What is the Timeline for a Personal Injury Lawsuit
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E-Scooters create a relatively new vista in personal injury law. As they grow more ubiquitous, we expect to see more injury cases.
Unfortunately they’ve already caused many injuries nationwide, and sometimes recovering compensation from these accidents is complicated.
When an E-Scooter Collides with a Pedestrian
One of the most difficult challenges posed by e-scooters is that New Jersey law doesn’t require them to be insured if they go less than 19 miles per hour. That can make recovery difficult.
If the rider was driving a rental scooter we may be able to recover from the scooter company’s own business liability insurance.
If the rider owned their own scooter then we are left trying to recover from the rider, which can be very difficult if they don’t have the resources to pay the claim.
When a Car Collides With an E-Scooter
If the driver was at-fault then this would be treated much like a pedestrian or bicycle claim. The driver’s insurance company will most likely pay the claim and the personal injury case will proceed as normal.
Trip and Fall Accidents Resulting from E-Scooters
Many people who rent e-scooters just drop them wherever they happen to be standing when they’re done. This is one reason why so many individuals dislike e-scooter rentals being allowed to take root in New Jersey towns and cities.
If you trip and fall due to an e-scooter that’s in your path you may either be able to hold the rental company accountable or the municipality where you were injured. Either way you’re going to want to act fast to get legal help as you may need to meet certain deadlines to recover funds, as you must at any time when the municipality would be involved.
Malfunctioning E-Scooters
Theoretically if you are injured while riding an electric scooter you should be able to sue the rental company, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes the rental agreements that you have to agree to (on the app, when you rent the scooter), release the company from all liability, and riders don’t find out about it until it’s too late.
Make sure you understand the agreement on any scooter company you choose to use.
What to Do If You’re Injured in an E-Scooter Accident
While liability can be a sticky issue, you should still take the same steps in a scooter accident that you might take in any other. That is you should:
- Call the police and file a report.
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses.
- If a car was involved, get the driver’s insurance and contact information.
- Take photos of the scene (more than you think you’ll need!) of the scooter and of your injuries.
- Get medical attention and follow all of your doctor’s instructions. Keep all bills, prescriptions, and discharge instructions.
- Contact a personal injury attorney right away.
As complicated as liability can be in an e-scooter case you still owe it to yourself to contact an attorney who can make a thorough review and who can attempt to help you get your injuries covered in the event of an accident.
Contact our offices for a risk-free evaluation today.
See also:
4 Reasons a Judge Might Dismiss Your NJ Personal Injury Case
Which Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial
What is the Timeline for a Personal Injury Lawsuit