Electric scooters can provide convenient and fun ways to get around town. Over the last two years, companies like Lime have set up shop and offered rides to citizens. Lime has even been operating in Spokane, though they do not do so all year round. Today, the Spokane electric scooter accident attorneys at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys want to discuss the dangers of these devices as well as what to do if you are injured due to a Lime scooter.
These scooters are here to stay
Lime scooters have been in the Spokane area for a few years now, though you will only see them during the warmer times of the year. In 2018, these rental scooters were collected in November and did not hit the streets until six months later. We saw the same pattern this year, and we can expect the scooters to make an appearance again in a few months.
However, many people make the argument that these scooters should leave and never come back. Across the United States, Lime scooters, as well as other electric scooters, have led to the serious rider and pedestrian injuries. At least 29 people in the United States have died in electric scooter crashes since 2018. The epidemic of scooter injuries has led to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to begin to study how harmful these devices are.
At the heart of the confusion and concern with this industry is the fact that scooter companies and their devices are not well regulated. In most major cities, companies like Lime basically set up overnight. Riders do not have to have any particular training to operate the scooters. There is no way to enforce whether or not someone wears a helmet.
Many different groups of people can be harmed by Lime scooters in Spokane. This includes:
- Inexperienced riders
- Pedestrians struck by scooter riders
- Pedestrians who trip over discarded scooters
- Motor vehicle drivers who tried to avoid hitting a scooter rider
The injuries sustained by those harmed in these incidents vary widely. It is not uncommon to see a scooter accident victim sustain one or more of the following:
Broken and dislocated bones
Severe lacerations
Internal organ damage
Internal bleeding
Spinal cord injuries
Whiplash injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Concussions
Road rash
Determining liability in the aftermath of a Spokane Lime scooter accident can be complicated. When a person gets on a scooter to ride, they are generally agreeing to assume responsibility for any injuries or damages they sustain. Most experts have agreed that injured electric scooter riders are stuck paying their own expenses if they are injured on the scooter. However, if an accident is caused by another person’s negligence or due to a defective scooter, the injured victim may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover the compensation they need.
We are ready to help you through this
At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, our electric scooter accident lawyers are ready to help you secure compensation in the aftermath of an accident. This includes coverage for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
