E-Scooter Riders Can Be Hit by Cars Exiting Driveways
E-Scooters have been popping up all around town, giving busy Angelenos a fast, new way to make short commutes. Unfortunately, many drivers aren’t yet used to sharing the road with e-scooters. In a little over a year after Bird and Lime first hit the scene, over 1,500 riders were injured. Scooter riders are vulnerable around bigger vehicles, and unfortunately 8 riders have died in e-scooter accidents as of October 2019. If you were injured, you may be able to get help with your medical bills and lost wages.
An Unseen Hazard for E-Scooter Riders
With many local driveways fenced in by trees, enclosed by tall buildings, or connected directly to garages, e-scooter riders may not be able to see a car threat until it is too late. Likewise, car drivers may miss e-scooters if they are:
- Looking in only one direction
- Not looking for smaller vehicles
- Relying only on their backup camera
- In one of the driver’s blind spots
- Distracted by cell phones, in-car screens, or passengers
- Driving too fast
If a driver isn’t paying attention, there may not be much e-scooter riders can do. Cars move much faster and are much bigger—and if you get into an accident with one, it’s much more likely to win.
E-Scooter Injuries Can Be Serious
While e-scooters are certainly safer than getting into a car, an Austin study found that around 20 scooter riders were injured per 100,000 trips. Sometimes injuries are minor, requiring nothing more than a band aid and some antiseptic. Other times, riders face serious injury that could affect them for the rest of their lives.
The most common serious injuries are:
- Skull, spinal, or facial fractures
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chest and abdominal trauma
- Broken bones
- Road rash
In some tragic accidents, e-scooter riders have not survived the damage.
Insurance in E-Scooter Accidents
If you’ve sustained a severe injury, you may face high medical bills and miss work. When you’re in a car accident, insurance steps in to help cover your costs. In e-scooter accidents, the insurer often tries to blame riders for the accident. They may bring up points like:
- Riders are not supposed to be on sidewalks
- Distraction isn’t only a concern for drivers
- Helmets are mandated in California
A car and scooter accident attorney can help you refute these allegations and make a claim with the driver’s insurance company.
If the driver doesn’t have insurance, you may still be able to get help. Uninsured motorist coverage might protect you, as well as certain umbrella policies that can be included with renter’s or homeowner’s insurance. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand your options and choose your next steps.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer if I’m Not at Fault?
If you’ve ever tried to make an insurance claim after a car accident, you know it isn’t easy. Often the other driver or their insurance will try to blame you for what happened, even if witnesses provide counter testimonies. Once you’re able to settle the question of who’s at fault, initial insurance offerings are often paltry compared to the actual costs incurred as a result of the accident. You don’t need a lawyer to interface with the insurer, but hiring a representative who knows how and when to push back for better results can improve outcomes.
E-Scooter Riders Hit by Cars Backing out of Driveways May Have Recompense
Because e-scooters are relatively new to the scene, neither legislators nor drivers nor law enforcement quite know what to do in the event of accident and injury. Commuters looking for an eco-friendly alternative shouldn’t have to put themselves in danger every time they cross a hidden driveway. If a car backs into you, our attorneys may be able to help you receive compensation after the accident.
If you have questions about an e-scooter accident, reach out online or call (310) 692-9582 for a free consultation with our team today.