If you’ve been injured in a collision with a vehicle while riding an e-bike or e-scooter, you have clear legal rights. You could have multiple claims depending on what happened, and you could be entitled to significant compensation depending on the extent of your injuries. To make sure you receive the maximum compensation for your motor vehicle accident, you will want to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Whether you were riding your own e-bike or e-scooter, a Lime e-scooter or Bird e-scooter, or a rental e-bike or e-scooter from any other company, an experienced injury attorney will be able to help you collect the compensation you deserve.
When Can You Seek Compensation for an E-Bike or E-Scooter Accident?
Individuals and families can seek compensation for e-bike and e-scooter accidents under a broad range of circumstances. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are thousands of e-bike and e-scooter accidents in the United States each year, and a significant percentage of these accidents involve collisions with cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. There is also evidence to suggest that these accidents are on the rise.
Examples of potential claims after e-bike and e-scooter accidents include:
- Claim Under the Driver’s Insurance Policy – If you or your loved one got hit by a driver, you may be able to collect payment under the driver’s insurance policy. Auto insurance covers all types of collisions— not just those involving two or more cars or trucks, so this would be the same as the normal car accident settlement process. You could potentially have a claim under your auto insurance policy as well.
- Claim Against the Driver’s Employer – Since many e-bike and e-scooter accidents happen in downtown areas, many of these accidents involve drivers who are on the clock. If you or your loved one got hit by someone who was working at the time of the collision, it could be considered a commercial vehicle accident and his or her employer could be liable.
- Claim Against the E-Bike/E–Scooter Company – Lime, Bird, and other e-scooter companies can also be held liable in many cases. If there was an issue with the e-scooter itself, your legal practitioner may be able to file a claim against its manufacturer.
If you have an accident injury claim, you are entitled to full compensation for all of your e-bike and e-scooter injury-related losses. This includes financial costs such as medical bills, prescriptions, and loss of income, and it also includes pain, suffering, emotional trauma, and other types of non-financial harm.
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How Do You Sue for an E-Bike or E-Scooter Accident?
If you have a claim, how do you sue for an e-bike and e-scooter accident? Suing for an e-bike and e-scooter accident requires a comprehensive understanding of the laws that apply in your state. It also requires in-depth knowledge of the relevant court rules and procedures. Local accident lawyers will have the knowledge required to help you file a successful lawsuit if needed, although in most cases these settlements are handled outside of a courtroom for a variety of reasons.
As a result, if you need to seek compensation for an e-bike and e-scooter accident, you should speak with a local lawyer as soon as possible. You should also take the following steps:
1. Get Treatment for Your Injuries
You should see a doctor promptly if you have not done so already. Be sure to tell your doctor that you were injured in an e-bike/e-scooter accident.
2. Collect Relevant Documentation
Keep copies of your medical records, and keep any documentation you receive from your employer if you miss time from work. If you have an auto insurance policy, try to find a copy of your policy as well.
3. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
When suing for an e-bike and e-scooter accident, it is extremely important to follow your doctor’s advice. You need to show that you are doing everything you can to recover as quickly as possible.
4. Start a Pain Journal
In order to seek compensation for your pain and suffering, you will need to document the non-financial effects of your injuries. A good way to do this is to keep a “pain journal” where you document your pain levels and the various ways your injuries interfere with your normal day-to-day life.
5. Keep Track of Your Costs on an Ongoing Basis
As time goes on, you should try to keep track of your e-bike and e-scotter injury-related costs. Get receipts for everything you can. If you pay with a credit card or debit card instead of cash, this will create a record of your costs that you can share with your accident attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions About E-Bike and E-Scooter Accidents
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