An individual who was responsible for Uber’s explosive growth and Lyft’s widespread usage has begun another company dedicated to avoiding driving – Bird. Bird is a company that provides motorized scooters for rent; users rent the scooters through an app on their smartphones, pay by the minute, and are free to leave them wherever they wish for the next nearby rider to use. However, there have already been incidents that have called the safety of these scooters into question, as well as the measures taken to preserve the safety and rights of riders. Our experienced attorneys at Normandie Law Firm have taken on lawsuits stemming from Bird scooter accidents and we have earned our clients ample compensation. If you need a Bird scooter accident attorney, you have found the right law firm.
Bird Scooter Injury Lawsuit
Bird allows users to ride scooters for an initial fee of $1 followed by 15 cents per minute after that. There are no designated charging, drop off, or pick up locations, which means that scooters can be left anywhere. This has proven to be a hazard in many ways; the scooters can fall over and pose walking hazards, or they can be propped behind doors, leading to tumbling vehicles. The tail ends of the scooters may also jut out from behind objects and corners, which can lead to falls.
Bird scooters have not had a history of defects leading to accidents; rather, the more pressing issue lies in the rules and regulations of the company and the actions of the riders. The nature of the company is such that it allows almost any individual the opportunity to use the scooters.
In the same way that Uber was required to reexamine its insurance stance implement new policies in the wake of an accident involving a young girl, Bird was forced to acknowledge the laws of motorized scooters in California after a young woman was injured in an accident.
Laws Regarding Bird and Motorized Scooters
Bird requires that its riders solely operate the scooters (that is, the scooters are sole occupancy and you cannot have more than one person on one at a time), be a minimum of 18 years old, have competence in operating such a vehicle, must not have any impediments like additional cargo or backpacks to disrupt the ride or make it more difficult, pay attention while riding (avoid usage of cell phones, music players, tablets, and more), be sober while riding, and more.
Riders also may not use the scooters outside of metropolitan areas or place them in locations that are not visible public parking spots once the rides have concluded.
California law regarding motorized scooters dictates that you must:
- Have a valid driver’s license to use the scooter
- Wear a helmet at all times
- Ride by yourself with no passengers
- Ride only on the road and never on the sidewalk
- Not park on the sidewalk where pedestrians frequent
- Not ride at night unless the motorized scooter is specifically outfitted for nighttime travel with proper reflectors, lighting equipment, visible identifying marks, a front light source, and more
Bird also requires that all users follow the state’s law regarding motorized scooter usage.
Of course, there have been many instances of people avoiding these rules and outright breaking the laws. Teenagers have been seen doubling up on scooters and riding on the sidewalks around town, while other individuals have avoided helmets altogether and been weighed down with various backpacks or briefcases – making it extremely hard for the riders to properly and effectively maneuver.
Despite the various citations that have been handed out, riders still take advantage of the scooters. The rise of broken laws and widespread usage of the scooters will lead to various accidents, which will necessitate the need for a Bird scooter accident lawyer.
Types of Bird Scooter Accidents
There are numerous Bird scooter accidents and types of accidents that can occur, whether they involve pedestrians, riders, or drivers. Regardless of who is injured or how the Bird scooter accident happens, it is always important to stress paying attention to your surroundings. As an individual on a Bird scooter, you should be wary of pedestrians and drivers; as a driver, you need to be constantly searching for anything that could prove to be a hazard. Pedestrians, too, should be aware of what is happening on the road as well as on the sidewalk.
Some of the accidents we see involving Bird scooters include:
- Riders being struck by cars or trucks, especially as evening approaches: Although it is required that riders stick to the street, this can be extremely dangerous. The Bird scooters can only go up to 15 mph, and they are not as visible as motorcycles or bicycles. Drivers have crashed into riders while making turns and have sideswiped riders who were too close to the vehicles.
- Pedestrians tripping over discarded or parked scooters: Scooters that are not being used are supposed to be placed in a public parking spot or a visible spot. Individuals often leave these scooters lying around, and if a pedestrian is not careful, he could very easily trip on a discarded scooter.
- Scooter defect causes the rider to crash: The scooters are electronic and not powered by bodily movements, so there is a chance that something internal can malfunction and cause the scooter to abruptly stop working. Further, the display may say that the scooter has a higher charge than it really does. Bird warns that as the electric charge of the scooter depletes, so will the speed and other capabilities of the vehicle. This can lead to accidents if the scooter suddenly stops working as it should.
- Automobile drivers avoiding riders, only to crash into other cars: If a user on a Bird scooter causes a driver to swerve away and get into an accident, the rider may be partially at fault.
- Rider wrongly operates the scooter and crashes into a pedestrian: Despite being required to ride in the street, some riders still travel on sidewalks and beach pathways. They have crashed into individuals and caused injuries.
If any of these accidents happened to you, you may be able to take legal action and sue Bird scooter company.
Bird Scooter Injury (or Injuries)
The potential injuries you can receive from a Bird scooter accident are varied. You should be acutely aware of what kind of damages you can sustain by riding a motorized scooter; although you are only required to wear a helmet, you may find it worthwhile to invest in other safety gear if the scooter is a big part of your travel routine. However, pedestrians and drivers are not usually prepared to be victims of accidents, and the injuries they receive can be much worse.
Victims of these accidents may sustain:
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Leg and ankle damage
- Concussions
- Lacerations, cuts, bruises, and abrasions
- Internal organ damage
- Broken wrist and arm injuries
- Back and spinal cord damage
- Neck injuries
Those who have been struck by cars may be even more severely wounded; the possibilities of coma, paralysis, severed limbs, and death rise with the inclusion of motor vehicle crashes and scooters. Medical treatment may be extensive and require long stays in the hospital. A Bird scooter accident lawsuit can help you cover the expenses.
Compensation from an Accident
If our Bird accident lawyers sue Bird for the injuries that you sustained because of Bird scooters, you may be able to receive various forms of compensation for your injuries. If the company can be held responsible for your damages, it will be made to cover your expenses. You will be able to have coverage for:
- Medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and future medical treatments
- Lost wages, including any future income that you will lose because of your recovery time or injury
- Property damage, or payment for any items that were lost or require repair because of the accident
- Pain and suffering, or coverage for emotional damage, PTSD, anxiety, fear, psychological trauma, and other such wounds
- Punitive damages, which are handed out in instances of gross negligence or an intention to cause harm; however, these purely monetary damages are viewed as excessive by many courts, and only a skilled lawyer with experience in bird scooter accidents will be able to win them for you.
Our Law Firm’s Promise
At Normandie Law Firm, we promise to do everything possible to bring you the compensation you deserve if you were involved in an accident while riding a Bird motorized scooter or if a motorized scooter were involved in a crash in any way. You should not be held responsible for your damages if someone else contributed to your accident. Our aggressive lawyers will strive to secure you a settlement that will satisfy you, and if we need to, we will take your case all the way to court to win. We will also make sure that you file a lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations and that all of your evidence is properly assembled and effective.
Call us today to receive a free legal consultation with an accomplished attorney. If you have questions about the legal process or what you might be able to earn from taking action, we will be glad to help you. We will also tell you what we believe we can recover for you.
If you select us to represent you, you will also not be required to pay us any out of pocket expenses thanks to our zero fee guarantee. This promises that our fees will get paid only if we win, and we will receive the money from the settlement we earn for you as opposed to your own personal finances. If we lose, you will not have to pay us a dime, and we will eat the costs of the case ourselves.
To speak with a Bird scooter injury attorney in Los Angeles, contact our offices at Normandie Law Firm.
More Information Regarding Bird Scooter Accidents
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