Phoenix Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer

If you’ve recently spent time in Phoenix, AZ, you’ve surely seen electric scooters around the city. Electric scooters are taking the United States by storm, and Phoenix is no exception. This mode of transportation is convenient and a cheap alternative to driving a car. 

However, riding an electric scooter comes with a fair share of risks, including getting into an accident. If you’ve been involved in a crash on an e-scooter, a Phoenix electric scooter accident lawyer might be able to help you.

If you’ve been hurt, Runion Personal Injury Lawyers will pursue damages so that you get paid for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We have a 98% success rate. You can count on our attorneys to use our 55+ years of combined experience to your benefit. 

Contact our Phoenix law firm at (602) 595-5559 to set up a free consultation. This will allow you to learn more about our law firm and for us to learn more about your case.

How Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Electric Scooter Accident in Phoenix, AZ

How Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Electric Scooter Accident in Phoenix, AZ

Since 2011, Runion Personal Injury Lawyers has helped our clients get compensated for accidents in the Phoenix area. We focus solely on personal injury law, which includes electric scooter accident cases. 

Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers have recovered over $30 million for our clients. This money has helped them get medical treatment and access resources necessary to move forward in their lives. 

When you hire us after an electric scooter accident in Phoenix, Arizona, you can expect us to:

  • Find out what caused the crash
  • Determine who is responsible 
  • Collect evidence to support your claim
  • File an insurance claim on your behalf
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
  • Stand up for you in court 

Every e-scooter accident case is different. Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys don’t believe that one strategy fits all. When you set up a free consultation, we will discuss the various strategies that may apply in your case. Our goal is always to maximize your compensation.

What Are Electric Scooters?

An electric scooter is a popular mode of transportation. It is a scooter with two wheels and is propelled by an electric battery. E-scooters are similar to e-bikes, except the rider doesn’t need to pedal to move the device. 

In Phoenix, there are two different types of electric scooters. Some residents own a private scooter. They charge the scooter in their home and use it to commute in the city. Other residents rent scooters by the minute or by the mile. The most common companies that rent electric scooters in Phoenix are Lime and Spin. 

What Are the E-Scooter Laws in Phoenix, AZ?

Phoenix has implemented a shared micro-mobility program when it comes to e-scooters. This program only applies to people who are renting an e-scooter through a company, as opposed to privately owned scooters.

The program designates certain areas in the city where scooters can operate. This also includes parking rules that vary depending on whether or not the rider is in the downtown core or other parts of the city.

Riders must be at least 18 years old, obey all traffic laws, and cannot ride on the sidewalk. Furthermore, they cannot exceed 15 mph, though most electric scooters are incapable of going faster. Riders are not obligated to wear a helmet, though it is recommended.

How Often Do Electric Scooter Accidents Happen?

Electric scooter accidents are becoming increasingly common. In fact, the Phoenix shared micro-mobility program was implemented as a response to the rise in accidents. 

A study on micro-mobility devices conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that electric scooters contributed to 64% of all micro mobility-related emergency room admissions from 2017 to 2021. 74% of e-scooter injuries happened on paved roads and caused 68 fatalities during this same time.

As electric scooters become more popular in Phoenix and around the United States, accidents are increasing. This is forcing cities to respond and inform residents about how to safely operate e-scooters.

What Causes Most Electric Scooter Accidents in Phoenix?

In our experience, there are many common causes of electric scooter accidents in Phoenix. Sometimes multiple factors contribute to causing an accident. If you aren’t sure what caused the crash, we can investigate it for you.

Inexperienced Riders

Inexperienced riders often contribute to causing an accident. While you must be 18 to operate an e-scooter in Arizona, you do not need a license or special certification. This means that many people will ride a scooter without fully understanding the rules of the road. 

Even though riders are obligated to follow the law (like stopping at red lights and yielding when appropriate), they are unlikely to know these rules without a license. 

Furthermore, inexperienced riders are less likely to act quickly to avoid crashes. An experienced rider might know how to maneuver the scooter, while an inexperienced rider may have no idea what to do. This makes it more likely that they will get into an accident.

Distracted Drivers 

Car crashes involving e-scooters often result due to distracted driving. Distracted drivers can easily miss a scooter and crash into them while merging or at a stop light when not fully paying attention. 

Plus, many drivers are still not used to e-scooters sharing the road. This means that they are not actively looking out for riders and are more likely to cause a collision.

Drunk Driving or Scootering

Drunk driving is a major contributor to e-scooter accidents. Drunk drivers and drunk riders are much more likely to get into an accident. 

A drunk rider is less stable and more likely to fall on their own or crash into another car or obstacle. Drunk drivers are more likely to speed and less likely to pay attention to scooter riders on the road.

Brake Issues 

Since many scooters are rented and used over and over again, it’s normal for there to be some maintenance issues. A common issue is with the brake. This can cause serious accidents for a rider who cannot stop to avoid a crash. Plus, it’s hard to see if there is a brake problem before getting onto the scooter.

Obstructions in the Road 

Scooters only have two wheels. This makes them less stable for the rider. As a result, a scooter is more likely to crash when faced with an obstruction on the road. The obstacle might include a pothole or debris. 

Something that a car can easily handle could send a rider flying. If the rider hits concrete without a helmet on, this can result in severe injuries.

Are Electric Scooters Dangerous?

Electric scooters can be dangerous, especially when the rider isn’t wearing a helmet. It makes sense, considering that the rider is completely exposed if they fall off the scooter.

A rider is more likely to hit the concrete roadway because they don’t have a barrier to protect them. Their body is very likely to get hurt, even at low speeds, and even if their head is protected by a helmet.

The most common injuries are:

In some cases, a rider might die on the scene of an accident or as a result of their injuries. If their death was caused by someone else’s negligence, the family might be able to pursue a wrongful death case.

Who Is Responsible For an Electric Scooter Accident in Phoenix?

If someone’s negligence contributed to causing the electric scooter accident, the negligent person is generally responsible. 

Responsible parties could include a driver, bicyclist, pedestrian, or another e-scooter rider. If the accident was caused because of a poorly maintained public road, it might even include the city of Phoenix. Similarly, if a maintenance issue caused the crash, the scooter company might be held liable.

Sometimes multiple parties contribute to causing a crash. Arizona applies pure comparative negligence. This means that an injury victim can still recover damages even if they contributed to the accident. The catch is that their award is reduced by their share of responsibility. 

For example, if the rider is 75% responsible and a driver is only 25% responsible, the rider can only recover 25% of their total damages.

Our lawyers will help you determine who caused the accident and hold them responsible. We can also help minimize your responsibility to maximize your recovery.

What Damages Can You Recover After an Electric Scooter Accident in Phoenix, Arizona?

You can recover economic and non-economic damages after an e-scooter accident in Phoenix. 

This can include payment for:

In some situations, you might also get punitive damages. However, punitive damages are far less common, and you will need to prove that the defendant was motivated by ill will when they caused the crash. This is far more than mere negligence.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Phoenix Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers

You shouldn’t waste time after getting into an e-scooter accident. Our Phoenix electric scooter accident attorneys can help you build a case to recover compensation as soon as possible. We will also help to protect you from unfair blame. 

If you are interested in learning more about Runion Personal Injury Lawyers, contact us online or visit our law offices in Phoenix to set up a free consultation.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Phoenix, AZ

Address:
Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
1221 E Osborn Rd UNIT 201,
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Phone: (602) 595-5559
Hours: Open 24 hours daily

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