Lime began as a company that provided bicycles for people to use; they could rent the bikes, ride them around town, and leave them at a specific rack. However, the influx of electronic scooters for rent caused some companies to cash in as quickly as possible, and Lime joined the craze. Its Lime S scooters now fill city streets alongside Bird and Spin scooters. Riders can unlock the scooters for a dollar and ride them for a few cents per minute. The scooters can travel up to 15 mph and have the benefit of being able to be left anywhere the rider choose; they do not need to be left at a rack like the bicycles were. However, this seemingly nonchalant treatment of the scooters has led to many problems; as a result, lawsuits have been filed. Our Lime scooter accident lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are here to help you with your case and will see it through to its completion.
Laws Regarding Scooters
There are numerous laws that are in place to protect riders on scooters, and Lime riders must adhere to these regulations. The company even has a terms and conditions list that must be read, and the scooters themselves have warnings on them. The scooters say that only one rider at a time must be present on the vehicle. Some other rules include:
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Wear a helmet
- Be 18 or older to ride
- Do not have more than 1 individual on a scooter at a time
- Obey all traffic laws
- Avoid riding on sidewalks
- Do not use drugs or alcohol when riding the scooter
Of course, all of these rules apply to riders of scooters. If these laws are broken, the risk of injury increases; it can be dangerous to put numerous people on a scooter and not wearing a helmet is foolish. A simple crash with a vehicle can cause severe injuries; scooters do not have adequate protection and leave the rider completely vulnerable to damages.
For more information on laws pertaining to electric scooters, contact a Lime scooter accident lawyer today.
Defects with Scooters
Lime scooters are small and electronically powered, and they are fixed by mechanics who can pick up each scooter and work on them themselves. These mechanics are not employed by Lime and can make errors. The technicians are given small kits to work with; there is no outside experience required. Once the repairs have been made the scooters can either be placed back in public or shipped to Lime.
Scooter defects are but one of the many ways that accident on Lime scooters can happen. Some scooters are available to be ridden even when the defects haven’t been fixed, which is a highly negligent action by Lime. Other times, the defects may stand out during a trip and be the primary cause of an accident. Some of the defects that can cause Lime scooters to crash include:
- Handlebar damage: Although it is a rule that riders must keep at least one hand on the handlebars of electronic scooters at all times, there is the chance that the scooters will have bent handlebars. If they are turned, twisted, or broken, it can make maneuvering the scooter dangerous.
- Frame trouble: A slippery frame can cause riders to fall off. If the body of the scooter has been damaged, it can make riding difficult; cracks may cause the scooter to break or malfunction during a ride, for instance.
- Broken tubing: Lime scooters run on electronics, and the signals are carried through tubes. These tubes can become damaged, whether by contact or weather, and must be fixed.
- Brake trouble: With top speeds of up to 15 mph, scooters can cause riders to get severely injured if they crash while going so quickly with no real protection. Sometimes the brakes may malfunction or not work properly, which can be extremely dangerous.
- Stuck throttle: Riders can control the speed at which they travel, but if the throttle gets stuck, the scooter will constantly move at maximum speed; you may not be able to stop it and will be in danger the duration of the ride.
- Electronic problems: Short-circuited electronics can cause a scooter to stop working, which can be risky if it happens while riding.
- Battery defects: The scooters need to be charged in between uses, and a battery can inexplicitly die or catch fire if there is a defect with it. Not only does this pose a risk for riders, but for chargers as well.
- Tire troubles: A flat tire can cause a rider to lose control, but if a tire pops or explodes during a ride, you may be ejected from the scooter from the sudden instability.
- Lighting defects: Scooters need to have some kind of lighting; if no lights are present or if the reflectors and lamps are damaged or broken, you will not be visible at night, which can lead to accidents.
If any of the above defects contributed to an accident while riding a Lime scooter, contact our law group in Los Angeles to file a claim against Lime.
Legal Action
Many accidents are filed because of the negligent action of other vehicles; drivers may not see people on scooters and mistakenly hit them, for instance. Additionally, some people may be struck be careless people on scooters. Some even trip and fall on scooters that have been left around.
However, you can sue Lime for your injuries if the scooter had a defect that caused you to crash. In order to file a lawsuit, you must prove that the product had a defect in it – it is crucial that you take pictures and videos of the scooter, write down information about it, and call a lawyer who can handle it before Lime takes it away for repairs. If you alert Lime right away, a technician may take the vehicle before you have a chance to do anything, resulting in the loss of your primary piece of evidence.
You should document your injuries by taking photos of them and by holding on to any medical bills and reports. These bills and statements from medical professionals will show that you were truly injured; after all, you won’t be able to file a personal injury claim if you did not suffer any physical harm.
If any witnesses saw the crash or were involved in it and can testify to the problems with the scooter, you can take down their information and statements to provide to Lime as well.
Your ride information and receipt should also be printed out. You can take a screenshot of your ride to show that you were the operator of the scooter at the time of the defect.
Importantly, you should contact a Lime scooter accident attorney who can help you file a lawsuit against Lime for your damages. We will make sure to bring you the fairest compensation available and keep you informed throughout the duration of the case.
Your Rightful Damages
A Lime scooter accident can be the primary cause of many bodily injuries, and you should not be expected to pay for the damages. Lime is responsible for your injuries if a scooter had defects that were not addressed, warned about, or fixed within an acceptable period of time. If you choose to sue Lime, you may be able to have the following expenses taken care of:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
All of these damages can be expensive. Don’t let an accident put you into debt – contact a Lime scooter accident lawyer in Los Angeles today.
Statute of Limitations
Bear in mind that there is a 2-year statute of limitations during which you can file a lawsuit against Lime. If you take too long, your claim will be thrown out and you will not be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Our lawyers can make sure that your documents are all filed on time and that you are not outside of the deadline to take action.
There are exceptions of the 2-year rule, though. For instance, if you were mentally or physically unfit to take action after a crash, the statute would not begin until you get healthy. If the defendant left the state, you would also have a suspended time limit until he returned.
A skilled lawyer at our law group can help you figure out if you are eligible for any exemptions.
Normandie: The Top Firm for Lime Scooter Lawsuits
You should not attempt to file a lawsuit by yourself if you were injured in a Lime scooter accident. Taking legal action is a lengthy process that requires a lot of knowledge and negotiation skills, and if you do not have the time to dedicate to it or the experience needed, you will not have a successful claim. It is imperative that you enlist the legal counsel of an expert attorney. Our lawyers at Normandie Law Firm area aggressive and will hunt for your rightful compensation from Lime – we will not stop negotiating a satisfactory deal, and if we are not able to reach one, we will take your case to court.
Call our Los Angeles offices to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers. Our consultations are confidential and you can ask us anything you like. We will give you the information you need.
If you hire us, we will also give you our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will never spend any personal savings for our services. We will cover the expenses of the case, such as filing fees and hiring expert witnesses; if we win, our bills will be paid by Lime from a portion of the settlement we bring you. If we lose, we collect no payment from you whatsoever.
Get in touch with a skilled Lime scooter lawsuit attorney in Los Angeles today at Normandie Law Firm.
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