Scooter Accident Lawyer Tampa, FL

E-Scooter accidents are relatively new occurrences. As a result, not all victims are aware that they have legal options in the wake of such collisions. It’s important to understand that connecting with an experienced Tampa, Florida scooter accident lawyer from Jeff Murphy Law will help to preserve your legal options and protect your rights. Once our legal team understands the particulars of your accident, we can help you to make an informed decision about whether to pursue damages against the scooter company, an offending motorist and/or other responsible party. Our experienced Tampa, FL scooter accident lawyer can help you to understand your options and to pursue whichever one is right for you. Should you decide to pursue legal action, you’ll need to consider the following:

Establishing Fault

In order to file a successful claim, you have to establish fault. This usually means that you have to prove negligence. Negligence generally occurs when another person acts carelessly and causes harm or damage to another person or his or her property. When it comes to e-scooter accidents, injuries can occur due to other drivers, poor road conditions, equipment malfunctions, defects, or the rider’s behavior. A Tampa, FL scooter accident lawyer can help you to determine why your accident happened and who/what is to blame for the harm you have suffered. 

Damages – Malfunctions

What happens if the scooter malfunctions? Imagine that you need to stop the scooter, but it refuses to brake and you collide with another car. If the scooter malfunctions, this may be the fault of the rental company or the scooter manufacturer. If the rental company fails to perform proper maintenance, then you may be able to seek damages from the rental company. In some cases, it may be the fault of the manufacturer. If it is a case of faulty parts, you may be able to seek damages from the manufacturer instead. You may not be sure if a malfunction occurred in your case, as accidents often happen with little warning. That’s okay. A Tampa, FL scooter accident lawyer can investigate and provide clarity. 

Damages – General Negligence.

If you suffered injuries after an e-scooter accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. No matter who/what is to blame (even if you are partially to blame), you may be able to recover financial damages as a result of the harm that your accident has caused. To find out more about the types of damages that you can claim, consult with a Tampa, FL scooter accident lawyer from Jeff Murphy Law today. Once you better understand your options, you can make an informed decision regarding how to proceed. 

How Electric Scooters Work

Companies that offer electric scooter rentals include Bird, Lime, Spin, Lyft, and Uber. All of these companies operate the rideshares in about the same way. You download an app onto your phone, locate an area with rentable scooters, ride it to wherever you need to go, and then ditch it at any location. It can seem like an easy alternative for those who don’t want to walk, but there are a multitude of risks a rider is taking by renting these scooters.

The Biggest Risk

The biggest risk present to scooter riders is other motorists. Because these scooters are fairly new, most drivers aren’t watching out for them. It can be easy to miss a scooter rider who is crossing the street, sharing a lane, or cruising down the bike lane. In the event of a collision, a scooter rider has no protection. Their body sustains the entirety of the impact since no gear is offered to the rider upon renting the scooter. While the scooter rental company may require the rider to sign a waiver agreeing to wear a helmet, a FL scooter accident lawyer in Tampa knows that the vast majority of people just don’t carry this with them as they travel. 

Why Rental Scooters Are a Problem

Rental scooters can be dangerous, even when used as intended. If a rider slams too hard on the brakes, they could be tossed over the front and land on the ground abruptly. Scooters also can go to speeds upwards of 20 MPH. And without a helmet, the impact from a crash could turn fatal. The injuries that tend to result from an electric scooter incident are severe and often require emergency medical care. Tragically, many riders have died upon impact after being struck by a car driver, or from hitting the pavement after the scooter got out of control.

Here at Jeff Murphy Law, a Tampa scooter accident lawyer knows that riders only have the best of intentions when they rent these handy little vehicles. However, some riders may not realize just how hazardous they can be until it’s too late. 

We understand that you may be in a great amount of pain and financial loss due to the scooter accident. If you are in need of legal help to pursue damages from the scooter company or an individual, then don’t hesitate to reach out to a Florida scooter accident lawyer from Jeff Murphy Law today. 

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