Electric Scooter Accident? You May Be Eligible for Compensation.

Posted in Personal Injury on March 8, 2019

Nashville is one of many cities throughout the country that offers rentable scooters. The scooters can be rented via smartphone applications, and users are charged a flat fee to start their rides and an additional cost per minute after that.

And while the scooters have become popular in Nashville, especially for tourists or people looking for alternative ways to commute short distances, they also pose serious dangers for riders. That’s because a Metro Nashville Ordinance requires that riders stick to streets while riding in the city’s business districts.

Anyone traveling on Nashville’s roadways who isn’t in a car, truck, or SUV already faces an increased risk of being involved in an injury-causing accident. That’s because drivers are more likely to look out for other vehicles—not motorcyclists, bicyclists, and scooter riders. And when scooter riders are struck by vehicles, there’s a strong likelihood that they will suffer severe injuries that result in big medical bills and prolonged time away from work.

At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville scooter accident lawyers are here to help anyone who was injured while riding on a rentable scooter. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle, get in touch with us today. Call us at (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online contact form to find out how we can help.

What Causes Scooter Accidents?

As with any accident that occurs on a Middle Tennessee roadway, a scooter accident can have many causes. Some of the most common factors associated with scooter accidents and injuries include:

• Distracted drivers—When scooter riders share the roadway with other vehicles, they’re at the mercy of drivers being aware of their presence and taking the necessary steps to avoid a crash. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen—especially when drivers are distracted by their smartphones, in-dash entertainment systems, GPSs, or other devices and activities unrelated to driving.
• Careless drivers—Drivers don’t have to be distracted to put scooter riders at risk. Failing to watch for scooter riders can lead to serious accidents. As scooters become more and more common in Nashville, there’s a greater awareness among drivers concerning their presence, but they don’t always watch out for them. That puts riders at serious risk no matter where they ride.
• Left-turning vehicles—Motorcyclists and bicyclists are well aware of the risks they face at intersections, especially when drivers turn left. Those risks extend to scooter riders as well. Drivers are used to looking for cars, trucks, and SUVs when they turn—not people riding on scooters. That means scooter riders may be at a higher risk of being struck by vehicles at intersections throughout the city.

In addition to those causes, other reported causes of scooter crashes include scooter malfunctions, including handlebar collapses, brake failures, and motor issues. Road hazards can also put scooter riders at risk, as scooters aren’t designed to be driven over debris and obstacles like potholes or loose gravel.

How We Can Help After a Scooter Accident

Regardless of what caused your scooter accident, it’s our goal to help you get the compensation you deserve. When you contact our law firm, we’ll take four important steps to build a strong claim on your behalf and maximize your chances of getting the money you deserve:

• We’ll prove the scooter accident wasn’t your fault—Whether your scooter accident was caused by a negligent driver, a road defect, a scooter malfunction, or any other party’s negligence, you can count on our attorneys to collect evidence that proves it. From analyzing accident scene data and traffic camera footage, to contacting witnesses and industry experts, we’ll go the extra mile for you.
• We’ll prove your injuries were caused by the accident—The insurance company may still be reluctant to pay you the money you deserve even if it knows you didn’t cause your accident. In fact, insurance companies are known for saying that victims’ injuries are pre-existing or had other causes. But we’ll collect police reports and medical records to leave no doubt concerning what caused your injuries.
• We’ll calculate how much money you’re owed—Scooter accidents can cause serious and disabling injuries. Victims may suffer broken bones, and some may become temporarily or even permanently disabled—and that means no paychecks. We’ll calculate your total accident-related expenses, including medical bills and lost wages, and we’ll fight to get you every last penny.
• We’ll handle all communication with the insurance company—Insurance companies have teams of adjusters who work hard to get victims to settle for small payouts. We don’t let our clients fall into those traps. Once we take on your claim, you won’t have to worry about dealing with the insurance company. Whether they send you letters, call you, or email you, all of their communication directed towards you will come to us first.

And if the insurance company refuses to pay, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial. That’s part of what we do when it comes to helping our clients get the money they need to move forward with their lives after accidents that were caused by other people’s negligence.

Don’t Delay After Your Scooter Accident

It’s important to act fast after a scooter accident. That means getting evaluated by a doctor or at a hospital to protect your health and your rights to compensation, and then contacting a lawyer. Evidence can quickly disappear, making it difficult to prove that you weren’t at fault or that the accident occurred in the first place. In addition, Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is only one year, and once it expires, you’ll be ineligible to pursue additional compensation.

The Nashville scooter accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law are ready to put their experience to work for you. We know Tennessee’s driving laws inside and out, including those that pertain to scooters. Call us today to get started on the path to obtaining the money you and your loved ones deserve.