What Do I Do if an Electric Scooter Hit My Car?
You should contact the police to file an accident report. You should also take pictures of any damage to your vehicle and seek medical help if you were injured.
It’s also important to find out whether the scooter is owned by a private individual or was leased from a rental agency such as Bird® or Lime®. This may have a huge impact on your case’s outcome.
Remember to exchange contact information with the person riding the scooter. The more information you have, the better your chances of obtaining fair compensation and protecting yourself against false allegations.
Take immediate action
Electric scooters have only been around for a few years. For this reason, the body of laws regarding these vehicles is still in its infancy.
Still, any collision involving a motor vehicle is a serious matter and should be treated accordingly. With that in mind, here are six steps you should take after the accident:
- Make sure you’re okay: The possibility of serious injury exists anytime you’re in a car wreck. It’s always a good idea to have a healthcare practitioner check you out, just in case.
- Document the events of the collision: Write down your memories of the incident right away. Take pictures of your vehicle, including body damage and point of impact. Also, take pictures of the e-scooter/scene. Talk to any witnesses that may be present.
- Contact law enforcement: Having an official police report of the accident is essential for obtaining the compensation you deserve. Remain on the scene until officers arrive.
- Avoid admitting blame for the accident: Even if you believe that you were at fault. Something as simple as an apology on your part may be used against you later.
- Take your vehicle to a trained mechanic as soon as possible: Today’s automobiles are complex machines with thousands of sensitive parts. They require professional care in order to operate properly.
Determining fault in an electric scooter accident
Documenting the accident is important for protecting yourself from false claims of negligence later on. Otherwise, an irresponsible or dishonest scooter operator may try to pin the blame on you.
This is one reason why you should talk to a qualified e-scooter accident lawyer soon after the collision. Trying to deal with these matters on your own can lead to negative consequences.
Are rental scooters insured?
The two largest scooter rental companies in the US, Bird® and Lime®, carry insurance designed to cover damages caused by product defects.
However, these policies may not pay off if a court determines that the accident was caused by the operator’s negligence. In fact, the legal definition of an electric-powered scooter is a controversial topic in many states.
This is another reason to consult an e-scooter accident attorney at your earliest convenience. Understanding the many aspects of a scooter-related accident takes heavy-duty legal knowledge and experience.
Four reasons to reach out to professionals
Here at Ellis Injury Law, e-scooter accidents are one of our areas of specialty. Here’s what you can expect when you trust your case to us:
- A prompt answer to your concerns: We’ll let you know right away if we can help you. Either way, it will cost you nothing to simply talk to us. You can reach us 24/7.
- Protection from harassment and high-pressure tactics: We think it’s abhorrent when insurance firms and at-fault parties try to pressure accident victims into signing away their rights. That’s why we never tolerate this sort of underhanded behavior when it’s directed against our clients.
- Freedom from out-of-pocket fees: If we take your case, then we’ll work on contingency. This means we collect no fees whatsoever unless your side prevails.
- Regular case updates: We’ll stay in touch with you throughout the process, helping you to enjoy greater peace of mind.
Don’t let an electric scooter accident keep you on the sidelines. Get in touch with Ellis Injury Law today to see how our dedicated lawyers can help you.