The newest development in transportation has hit the streets of various cities in California and other states. An ex-Uber and Lyft representative spearheaded the project, which consists of electric scooters available for use from anyone with the app. The company, Bird, provides scooters around the city wherein users can unlock them, pay a small fee, ride to their destinations, and leave the scooters wherever they wish. Of course, this nonchalant treatment of the scooters and reckless manner of riding them has opened the door for many accidents, leading to the potential for lawsuits. There have already been numerous instances of accidents involving scooter riders, pedestrians, automobiles, and more. If you have been hurt in any type of incident involving a Bird scooter, you should reach out to our law group, Normandie Law Firm, for help taking legal action. We will provide you with an experienced lawyer in Los Angeles for Bird scooter accident claims so you will be fairly represented and receive the compensation you deserve.
Regulations on Bird Scooters
Bird scooters are subject to various rules and regulations in each state. In California, for instance, the scooters must have been properly checked and regulated so that their batteries and electronics are deemed safe, and they must have adequate light fixtures in the event that the scooter is ridden at night. Of course, many of the laws apply to riders more than the vehicles themselves. The laws are written in the rental agreement that you must accept upon signing up with the app, and some are even inscribed on the scooters themselves. Regulations pertaining to riders include:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Must wear a helmet regardless of age
- Must leave the scooters in legal parking spots
- Only riding with one person on a scooter at a time
- Cannot use the scooter while under the influence of alcohol, medication, drugs, or any other altering substance
- Cannot ride on sidewalks if there are bike lanes and such available
- Must always keep at least one hand on the scooter and cannot hold any object that would impede this ability
- Cannot hitch the scooter to any other vehicle
Despite these numerous regulations being in place, individuals still ignore them. Routinely, there are people riding two-to-a-scooter, neither of whom is wearing a helmet, many of whom look to be young teenagers. This, of course, leads to numerous accidents, but the victims have trouble finding the correct parties to blame. It is imperative that you speak with a Bird scooter crash lawyer for more help.
Reasons for Incidents and Injuries
One of the largest reasons that incidents with Bird scooters occur is because of the way people treat the scooters when they finish riding them. Although Bird states to place the scooters in legal parking spots and not to leave them on sidewalks or on their sides where people can trip, users often hop off and let the vehicles fall over. They may place them next to street signs and hedges, obscuring them from view, which can lead to people tripping as they walk by. Some scooters that block entire sections of the sidewalk can also be a large nuisance for anyone who is disabled or has trouble walking. It can be hard for an individual in a wheelchair to circumvent the scooters, for example.
Also, those driving Bird scooters often share the road with cars, which makes them more susceptible to motor vehicle accidents. Bicyclists, for instance, always have to be careful while in their bike lanes or while riding on normal streets because they are not as easily and quickly identifiable to other drivers, and an accident can be swift and sudden. Those who ride Bird scooters face the same issue: they may not be visible to drivers, which can lead to devastating accidents.
Other reasons that accidents happen include:
- Rider is struck by a car while the rider is in the bike lane or in the street
- Rider crashes into a pedestrian or object on the road or sidewalk
- Scooter’s electronic system malfunctions and causes the vehicle to suddenly stop working, resulting in jerky stops and the possibility of being thrown from the vehicle
- Scooter travels over poorly maintained terrain or roads or if there is a hazard impeding the scooter’s progress
- Lack of balance and stability during sudden braking or turning
- Rider negligence, such as riding while under the influence of alcohol, or recklessly driving the vehicle
- Rider contributes to an accident by being in the way of another vehicle, causing two cars to crash into one another
- Pedestrians tripping and falling over discarded scooters
Although the scooters can only travel up to 15 mph, there is still the chance for severe injuries to happen, especially if there is an accident with a motor vehicle. Some people may fall over the handlebars, be thrown from the scooters, get caught between the scooter and a wall or car, and more. There are essentially no protective features that can help the rider stay safe in the event of a crash except for the presence of a helmet and protective gear. Fortunately, Bird provides helmets to riders if the riders request them, which can cut back on the potential injuries.
Some of the injuries you can sustain include:
- Sprains and fractures
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Concussions
- Cuts and bruises
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Crushing injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
These injuries can be extremely severe, especially if the accident involves another car or vehicle. It is imperative that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney to help you file a Bird scooter injury lawsuit.
Legal Details
The question becomes who to sue if you are involved in a Bird scooter accident. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue various parties. For example, if you were hit by a car while on a Bird scooter, you could pursue compensation from the driver’s insurance company. However, if you were walking along and struck by a person on an electronic scooter, you could sue the individual (provided he has homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance). If the scooter malfunctioned in some way and caused an accident, you could likely sue Bird for the damages.
The problem is that Bird is a self-insured company and its scooters are unlocked by individuals who are not a part of the business. Maintenance also happens on an independent contractor basis, as does charging; thus, filing a lawsuit for getting injured because of a Bird scooter accident can be difficult if you intend to target the company and not an individual. However, that is why you need a skilled Bird scooter accident lawyer to help you.
Our attorneys will be able to help you get started on legal action. You should make sure to have photos of your injuries and the scenario involving the scooter. That is, if it malfunctioned or if a car hit you, you should have pictures of the scene of the accident and the damages that occurred. Also, if you have proof that you were riding a scooter, you should screenshot the details from the app and request a report from the company.
You only have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to sue Bird or any other individual, and your claim will be thrown out, along with your chance to earn compensation. If you are eligible for any exceptions to the deadline, an attorney can help you. You may have been underage at the time of the accident or the defendant may have left the country or state for an amount of time. The time limit would thus not begin until you turned legal age or until the defendant returned.
Earnings from a Lawsuit
A Bird scooters accident lawsuit can yield you numerous types of compensation. Our team of expert lawyers can bring you coverage for your medical expenses, lost wages, damaged property, and more. You may also have your pain and suffering damages covered, which include emotional suffering, PTSD, anxiety, fear, and psychological trauma.
In the event that a family member or loved one passes away from complications due to a Bird scooter accident, you could receive various wrongful death expenses to offset costs of the tragedy. The pre-death medical bills and pain and suffering of your loved one can be covered, as well as costs for the funeral and burial. If there is an expected loss of earnings, income, and savings, they could all be reimbursed. You may also have a loss of consortium given to you.
A Bird scooter crash attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve from such an incident.
Normandie Law Firm: Here for You
At Normandie Law Firm, we strive to help clients who have been hurt in Bird scooter accidents receive the maximum restitution available under the law. We promise to do all we can to bring you a fair settlement and will not stop fighting for your rights. Our aggressive attorneys will pursue all possible options to bring you a settlement and will not stop until we are satisfied with the offer. If we feel that the offer is not worthwhile, we will take your case to court to present your case in front of a judge and jury.
Call our Los Angeles law firm today to speak with a qualified attorney and to receive a free consultation. If you have questions, we will answer them for you. You will be given all the information you need to make an informed decision about legal proceedings and what you wish to do about your case. If you select us to represent you, we will give you our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will not pay any out of pocket expenses for our services. We will only be paid if we win your case and the fees will come out of the settlement we bring you; if we lose, you owe us no money whatsoever and you can walk away with no loss to your savings.
Contact Normandie Law Firm today to get in touch with a Los Angeles attorney with experience in scooter accident lawsuits.
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