Can I Sue Lime Scooter?
Lime E-scooters offer Californians a fast, affordable and convenient means of transportation, but at what cost? The battery-powered scooters have been known to have faulty brakes and other serious issues that pose risks to users. In 2018, Lime recalled 2,000 scooters from Los Angeles, San Diego and Lake Tahoe over concerns that the lithium batteries could catch fire due to manufacturing defects.
If you get injured in a Lime E-scooter accident, you may be eligible to sue the company for compensatory damages. Lime has $1 million in liability insurance that covers every scooter ride, and several lawsuits are already pending against the San Francisco-based company.
In the wake of a Lime E-scooter injury, it’s important to protect your rights. You may be entitled to legal damages to cover all medical expenses, lost income, and other financial hardships. Contact Ellis Injury Law for a free consultation with a Los Angeles e-scooter accident lawyer.
Lime E-scooter injuries on the rise
Stand-up electric scooters made by Lime are now in dozens of cities worldwide. But just because they are popular and widely available doesn’t make them safe. Severe head injuries, broken bones, lacerations, and sprains are some of the most common injuries related to E-scooters.
University of California researchers evaluated government data on non-fatal ER injuries and found a significant uptick in admissions related to electric scooter use. From 2014-2018, e-scooter-accidents and injuries increased a whopping 222 percent. Close to 40,000 injuries from E-scooter accidents were reported during the four-year study, and 33 percent of victims suffered from head trauma.
A 38-year-old Austin man was recently hospitalized with a sprained shoulder and broken arm after his Lime scooter’s wheels froze up, sending him flying across the street. Another rider, in Indianapolis, was violently thrown onto the pavement when her Lime E-scooter abruptly accelerated. The woman suffered severe injuries and nearly died. She, like other victims, is suing Lime (parent company Neutron Holdings Inc.) and the scooters’ design and manufacturers for negligence.
Legal recourse for Lime scooter malfunctions
Equipment failures, hardware problems and manufacturing defects that result in physical harm may all give rise to a product liability lawsuit. If a company is aware of defects and problems in its product but does not take action to warn consumers or address said dangers, they may be forced to pay restitution.
While Lime has a lengthy user agreement that is designed to protect the company from litigation, injury victims have recourse if an E-scooter malfunction occurs and it becomes unreasonably dangerous.
If you or a loved one is involved in any sort of electronic scooter accident causing injury, it’s vital to contact a qualified lawyer as soon as possible. There are unique challenges when companies use a “click and wrap contract,” or user-agreement, but Ellis Injury Law is well-equipped to navigate these hurdles and pursue maximum damages.
Monetary damages for Lime injury claims
Despite design re-boots, Lime E-scooters are still having periodic failures and issues. In some cases, the accelerator gets gummy and sticks, and in others, the motor dies suddenly, causing the wheels to lock up.
These defects and failures can form the basis of a product liability claim that seeks damages for:
- All related medical costs
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Long-term disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
If you were hurt because of a defective or malfunctioning Lime scooter, take advantage of a free case review with Ellis Injury Law. Our firm advances all legal costs, and there are never any fees unless we win or settle your case.
Explore your options for filing an E-scooter lawsuit in Los Angeles. Call today!