Electric scooters are a popular way of getting around town in an efficient and hassle-free manner. These powered vehicles typically have top speeds of around 20 miles per hour, so they are ideal for teens too young to drive. Anyone can rent an e-scooter from Lime in Boulder or Denver using the company’s app.
If you were injured in a crash, you are probably interested in your legal rights. Contact an e-scooter accident lawyer in Denver or Boulder to get answers to your questions. Our consultations are free.
Scooter Injuries Are Serious
Most accidents involve either falls or collisions. About 79% of e-scooter injuries were caused by falls, usually after something upsets the scooter. Meanwhile, about 16% of injuries result from collisions.
Some of the most serious injuries include:
- Fractures
- Concussions
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Spinal column injuries
- Road rash, abrasions, and friction burns
Assessing Liability for a Scooter Accident
If you were injured, you might have a legal right to bring an electric scooter injury claim in Colorado for compensation. However, you need to identify the person or entity responsible for the accident. E-scooter accidents happen in a variety of contexts.
We can help with many types of claims:
Collisions From Motor Vehicles
A negligent or distracted driver could have crashed into someone riding an e-scooter, especially if you were on the road at the time. A driver staring at a cell phone might not see an intersection ahead of them, so they drive right through it as you are crossing on your e-scooter. We can submit a claim on the driver’s liability insurance.
Sidewalk or Road Defects
The government might have liability if a defect sends a person tumbling from their scooter. For example, a giant crack or pothole in the ground could send you flying. Ideally, you should take a picture of any defect using your phone so that we have proof it existed. We might file an injury claim with the government.
Parking Lot Defects
If you fall because of a defect on private property, you might submit a claim against the property owner. A business should have liability coverage to pay out a settlement when a visitor is injured on the business premises. Some riders are hurt when their scooter hit a pothole in a parking lot.
Product Defects
The E-scooter could be defective, leading to an accident. For example, the braking system might fail, which results in a crash. We might submit a claim to the manufacturer or a rental company when a defect contributes to an accident.
Pedestrian Hit by an E-scooter
Maybe you weren’t riding on the scooter but were a pedestrian struck by one. Some riders go much too fast on these scooters or do not pay attention. They could easily strike a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
Contact an e-scooter accident lawyer in Boulder or Denver today to discuss your accident.
Settlement Ranges for Common Injuries
The settlement amounts our clients receive depend on a variety of factors, including the significance of their injuries. Someone with a scrape on their elbow will receive less than if they are knocked unconscious and suffer a moderate concussion or whiplash.
Our clients can request compensation to cover their medical bills, wages lost while recovering, and pain and suffering. Contact our firm to discuss your accident with an e-scooter accident lawyer in Denver.
Some settlement ranges for common injuries include:
- Fractures. One study out of Denver found that a typical orthopedic injury (like a fracture) required $8,077 in medical treatment. Add on lost income and pain and suffering, and this type of injury could warrant $15,000-$30,000 in compensation.
- Concussion. An injured victim will probably receive $20,000-$80,000.
- Back injury. These vary in severity, with a sprained back being worth closer to $10,000, while spinal cord damage can merit six or seven figures.
Colorado Regulations and Insurance Requirements
E-scooters are regulated at both the state and local levels. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-1-102(28.8)(a), an “electric scooter” is any device that weighs less than 100 pounds, has handlebars, and is powered by an electric motor with a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. This definition does not include electric-assisted bicycles or low-power scooters.
Here are some significant regulations:
- Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet if they are riding on a low-power scooter. (C.R.S. § 42-4-109.) Otherwise, a helmet is not required when riding an e-scooter.
- Generally, e-scooters are allowed on bicycle and pedestrian paths unless they are prohibited by local authorities.
- Boulder, Colorado, has prohibited riding a scooter on sidewalks adjacent to streets with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour or less. Boulder has also prohibited e-scooters on many open-space trails.
- There is no state-wide requirement for registering e-scooters and no requirement that an owner purchase liability insurance.
What to Do Immediately After an E-Scooter Accident
- Stop immediately. No one should flee the scene of the accident. Assist anyone hurt in the crash.
- Report the accident to the police. An officer can come and investigate before filing a crash report. This report is helpful in establishing basic facts when it comes to submitting an electric scooter injury claim in Colorado.
- Photograph any defect or vehicle involved in the crash. Photographs are ideal if your scooter is upset due to a pothole or construction debris. There’s a risk the property owner will fix the defect or hazard, and a photograph can establish it existed on the day of the accident.
- Do not admit fault. Any admission could undercut your legal claim and result in lowered compensation.
- Get personal information and insurance details. If you are struck by a driver, ask for their insurance information.
- Notify the rental company of the accident. Did you rent an e-scooter? If so, notify them of the crash. Remember to save proof you rented the scooter, including the ID number.
- Visit the hospital when you are finished. You should point out where you feel pain and receive immediate treatment.
Call Our Office to Speak with an Experienced E-Scooter Accident Lawyer in Denver
The Ferrell Law Firm, PLLC, is well-positioned to help anyone injured in an electric scooter accident. Whether you were riding at the time or were struck by a scooter, we can help. Call 720-687-2795 to schedule a free consultation.