Modes of transportation have undergone a shift in the last few years. The trains, buses, and taxis that were constantly used are now joined by Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare vehicles. However, even that landscape has changed with the creation of Bird and other similar companies, like Limebike and Spin. Bird provides electronic scooters for people to rent to travel short distances instead of hailing an Uber. Bird scooters are located in many areas, but have been most prevalent in beach areas like Santa Monica and Venice. There are various laws pertaining to these scooters, and users must obey them or face legal penalties. Still, there have been numerous accidents resulting from the vehicles, leading to many injuries. Our expert lawyers at Normandie Law Firm can take legal action against the company if you were hurt in a Bird scooter accident.
Bird Scooter Details
An executive who worked with both Uber and Lyft has created Bird, a company that stocks electronic scooters in various places. An app is downloaded and the scooters can be selected by prospective riders for a small unlock fee and then a travel charge. The app shows where scooters are located and how much of a charge each one has. They can travel up to 15 mph and are viable options to get around congested locations that are not too far apart. The benefit of using the scooters, to many, is the freedom to leave them at the location you arrive at; there is no need for you to bring them to a nearby docking station and then returning to your initial destination. You can simply leave the scooters around, as they will be collected at night and redistributed by morning by independent chargers.
Leaving the scooters around, however, is something that has led to accidents like slip and fall incidents. Those who trip and fall on Bird scooters usually do not see the vehicles sticking out from behind bushes or cans. However, some people have simply left the scooters in the middle of the sidewalk. Anyone who tripped and fell over a Bird scooter in the middle of the sidewalk could face serious injury, especially if they were unable to break their falls.
Bird has already been forced to pay various fees and fines, and the higher likelihood of accidents from overuse can lead to even more lawsuits.
Can I Sue Bird Scooter If I Got Injured By Their Scooter?
Yes, you can sue Bird Scooter company if you were hurt by their scooter. You may have suffered injuries in any number of ways. For example, if you fell off a Bird scooter, you could have sustained numerous broken bones to your hands and arms if you tried to brace for impact. This could have been the result of a cracked sidewalk, negligent automobile driver, or broken scooter. Regardless of the cause, you should still contact an experienced attorney at Normandie Law Firm to sue Bird Scooter for your injuries.
Bird Scooter Accident Information
There are numerous ways that you can get injured from Bird scooters, whether you were riding them or not. Many times, you can point to the negligent actions of another party as the cause of the incident, but there are moments when the scooter or the company is responsible. Some of the ways you can get involved in accidents include:
- Falls: If you slipped and fell on a Bird scooter that was lying on its side or sticking out from somewhere partially hidden, you could take legal action. These accidents happen when you are a pedestrian, walking along on the sidewalk, minding your own business. If you fell and got injured, don’t hesitate to call our firm.
- Defective Product: Bird scooters are electronic, but they can lock up at any moment from various troubles. They may not be able to brake or accelerate properly, or there may be a problem that was improperly repaired. A defective repair can lead to many problems with a scooter, which could affect dozens of riders. Failure to repair the scooter properly can lead to a lawsuit.
- Vehicular Accident: A passing car could be the cause of numerous accidents with Bird scooters. Those on the scooters sometimes ride in bike lanes and can be clipped by turning cars; they are not as easily avoided and may not be visible to automobile drivers.
- Terrain: Some areas of the road can make it difficult for the rider to safely maneuver. Potholes, cracked sidewalks, uneven terrain, and more can contribute to accidents.
- Risky Behavior: Scooter riders need to be very careful when riding. Some will have multiple riders on scooters while others will ride with a lot of material and bags in their hands. They may ignore traffic laws and ride alongside cars, which can cause accidents.
Any accident involving a Bird scooter can result in injuries. Although some may be minor, others can be long-lasting and have a significant impact on your life. Some of the injuries include:
- Broken hand
- Broken leg
- Broken arm
- Fractured wrist
- Knee injury
- Spinal cord troubles
- Nerve damage
- Torn muscle
- Concussion
- Bruises and lacerations
- Cuts and gashes
- Facial damage
- Head injury
- Brain injury
- Broken hip
- Injured your back
Don’t wait to contact a Los Angeles attorney with experience in Bird Scooter injury accidents to pursue your fair compensation.
Regulations for Scooter Riders
Those who intend to ride the scooters need to pay attention to the rules and regulations that accompany the vehicles. There are some warnings placed on the vehicles themselves, but the full list of do’s and don’ts can be found on the app. The mix of rules for operating the scooter and the laws delegated by California include:
- Always a wear a helmet when riding, which is a necessity for both adults and minors (even though minors are prohibited from using Bird scooters).
- Only have 1 person ride a scooter at a time, which is often broken; you can routinely see people double up on scooters, which are not designed to hold that much weight.
- Possess a valid driver’s license, which is required by Bird to operate a scooter.
- Keep at least one hand on the handlebars and do not carry or hold any belongings, materials, or items that would make it difficult or impossible for you to safely maneuver the scooter.
- Do not hitch the scooter or user to another car or any other automobile during operation.
- Use bike lanes and avoid the sidewalk as much as possible.
- Park the scooter in a safe space so that it is not in the way of pedestrian traffic, and do not leave the scooter on its side on the sidewalk or in the street.
- Do not operate the scooter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you need more assistance, call an injury lawyer for Bird scooter accidents in Los Angeles. We can give you all the info you need on rules and regulations with Bird.
Legal Action
If you intend to sue Bird for injuries resulting from an accident, you must be able to show that the company was negligent in some way. For example, if there were a problem with the electronics of the scooter, we can sue the contractor that repaired the scooter and target Bird for not hiring quality help. Although many instances include negligence of other parties, the fact remains that these people would likely not be involved in the accidents if Bird had more of a hand in its transportation services.
We can file a product liability lawsuit or an injury lawsuit against Bird. We can prove that Bird was negligent in its duties and did not take care to provide a safe vehicle for its customers. With our assistance, you can be well on your way towards earning the compensation you deserve.
In order to stand the best chance, you should have ample evidence to back up your lawsuit. This means that you should take pictures of the scene of the accident, where the Bird was or where another vehicle was, the damage to the scooter or car, the damage to the environment, your own injuries, and more. You can get eyewitness testimony and statements from anyone who saw what happened.
The injuries you sustained should also be checked out by medical professionals. Whether you were in need of emergency care or just had to be treated for minor injuries, you should hold on to the medical reports and bills to show that you are telling the truth about the damages. The insurance company will likely try to downplay the injuries or show that you were hurt elsewhere. With the proof of your treatment in hand, it will be impossible for them to do so.
If you intend to file a lawsuit, you must take action within 2 years from the date of the incident or you will not be able to receive any compensation. The statute of limitation exists so that claims are filed as quickly as can be to preserve evidence, keep the legal system free from congestion, and to ensure that witnesses do not forget or misremember important information.
For more Bird scooter accident lawsuit information, call Normandie Law Firm in Los Angeles.
What You Can Earn
With the help of our expert attorneys, you can receive various types of compensation for your injuries. You can have your medical expenses covered from both the past and future, as well as lost income from the time you missed at work from the past and the future. Any damaged property that incurred from the accident can be reimbursed. Your emotional pain and suffering can further be taken care of.
It is important that you speak with an experienced lawyer for Bird accidents.
Normandie’s Help
To get started taking legal action with one of the best injury attorneys in Los Angeles, California, contact Normandie Law Firm. We have been handling Bird scooter accident lawsuits since the company began stocking the streets with the vehicles. We are aggressive lawyers who will not stop until you receive a satisfactory settlement offer from the insurance company.
Call us today to learn more in a free legal consultation, where we invite you to ask us anything you want and we will evaluate your case. We also will tell you about our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will not have to pay any out of pocket expenses for our services. If we lose, you owe us no money, and if we win, the fees are taken from the settlement we bring you. You will never touch your own savings.
Reach out to our Los Angeles offices to speak with a Bird scooter injury lawyer.
More Information Regarding Bird Scooter Accidents
Bird Scooter Defective Product | Product Liability Attorney
Bird Scooter Injury Lawsuit Information
