A relationship that gets results.

Scooters are a convenient method of traveling short distances. People can use them to travel to and from work or the store or to reach public transportation.

Electric scooter companies are poised to descend onto Indianapolis and will probably only grow in popularity over the coming years.

2018 marks the reappearance of Bird Scooters to Indianapolis.

The company operated in the city for 28 days before pulling their scooters at the request of the city government, which needed time to draft an ordinance to regulate the industry.

Now, Bird is poised to return with 6,000 scooters. For its part, Rival scooter company Lime plans to enter the Indianapolis market with around 1,800 scooters.

Scooter companies like Bird and Lime operate like bike sharing companies. Consumers can request a scooter using an app and then ditch the scooter wherever they want when they are finished. They are charged $1.00 per ride and $0.15 per minute.

However, like all transportation, scooters create serious risks for riders. If you have been injured in a bird scooter accident, then you should reach out to an attorney to discuss your case.

Why Scooters Get into Accidents

Scooters are not safer than any other mode of transportation, such as a bicycle. Instead, scooters are potentially more dangerous for riders since they are so exposed and will suffer a direct hit to their bodies after a collision or fall.

Some causes of scooter accidents include:

• Motorists cannot see scooters. Someone on a scooter might blend in with people on the sidewalk or with vehicles parked on the side of the road. As a result, a careless motorist could drive straight into a person riding on a scooter.
• Scooters are vulnerable to road hazards. Potholes, uneven pavement, gravel, and debris can all cause a scooter to overturn.
• Rider inexperience. A rider might not know how to take defensive action on a scooter or could quickly lose control of it. Also, teens could use the scooter and take more risks, just as they tend to do behind the wheel of a car.
• Scooters only have two wheels and thus are wobblier than motor vehicles.
• Defective scooter. A defect with the brakes, tires, or handlebars could cause a scooter accident.

Unfortunately, pedestrians and others are also at risk of scooter injuries. For example, some users abandon their scooters in the middle of sidewalks or right outside the door to a store, blocking access ramps for people with disabilities.

It can be very easy to trip and fall over a scooter if you are not looking or are walking to your destination in a hurry.

As Bird and Lime enter the Indianapolis marketplace, we expect scooter accidents to increase.

Injuries Sustained in Scooter Accidents

Scooters have been involved in their fair share of accidents around the country. Injured victims report suffering:

• Bruises
• Abrasions or cuts
• Head injuries
• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Road rash
• Dislocated joints
• Nerve damage

No matter how minor your injury seems, you should immediately visit the doctor or hospital to be checked over. Some symptoms take days to develop, so head back to the doctor if you start to feel unwell soon after the crash. Remember to follow your doctor’s orders, otherwise you could delay your recovery or even aggravate your injuries.

Who Is Responsible for Scooter Injuries?

If you have suffered an injury in a collision, you might wonder who you can hold responsible for your injuries. Indiana is a fault state, meaning that the person responsible for the scooter accident bears the cost of compensating victims for their injuries.

Depending on the circumstances, the following might be responsible for the accident:

• The scooter company. If the scooter was defective, then anyone injured can receive compensation by suing the scooter company that released the defective product. Of course, Bird has tried to limit their liability by getting users to agree to waive liability, but these waivers might not be effective in all cases.
• The scooter rider. If the rider caused the accident because of their careless or reckless behavior, then they are responsible for injuries. Riders can be negligent while operating the scooter or by leaving it unattended in the sidewalk where a pedestrian trips over it. Because riders do not carry scooter insurance, you might need to check whether they have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance instead, which could pay out a settlement.
• A motorist. If a car driver strikes a scooter, then they might be responsible if they were negligent or reckless. Injured victims can seek compensation from the driver’s insurance company.
• A pedestrian. A person might step in front of a scooter, causing upset. Pedestrians must exercise reasonable care, just like motorists. If a pedestrian’s negligent conduct causes the accident, they are responsible for any injuries. Again, the question is whether they have the funds to pay compensation to injured victims.

In some situations, you might not be sure who is to blame for the bird scooter accident. Contact a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis to discuss your case.

How Can a Lawyer Help after a Scooter Accident in Indianapolis?

If someone else is to blame for your injuries, then you should not be responsible for paying your medical bills and suffering a loss of income.

Instead, you can hold the person accountable in court by suing or negotiating a settlement.

Scooter accident cases are just as complex as car accident cases. You need to gather sufficient evidence to help you establish that someone else bears responsibility for the accident. You will also need an experienced advocate who can negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries.

Many of our clients report being in considerable pain and unable to collect evidence on their own. At Eskew Law, we do the heavy lifting for you.

Speak with an Indianapolis Scooter Accident Lawyer Today

If you are worried about how you will pay your medical bills and mortgage, help is available. At Eskew Law, our personal injury attorneys can handle your injury claim after an accident with a Bird scooter. To find out more about our services, please contact us today.