Pedestrian E-Scooter Accidents

electric scooter lying on side after accident

Pedestrian Injuries From E-Scooter Accidents In New Jersey

Electric scooter ride shares, such as Lime, Bird, and Ojo, are a fun, easy way to get around, but not everyone is impressed by their convenience. Although they’ve been tested in some New Jersey cities, including Hoboken, e-scooter accidents involving pedestrians, riders, bikers, and other vehicles have made municipalities reluctant to make them permanent fixtures in town.

Riders who are new to e-scooters may not know how to safely operate them, and the number of accidents is on the rise. At Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman, our team has been helping injured victims and their families for more than 40 years. If you’re a pedestrian who’s been injured in an e-scooter accident, our personal injury attorneys can help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.

E-Scooter Accidents With Pedestrians

Although e-scooters are not permitted on sidewalks in most cities, riders are often unaware of the law and assume it’s okay to ride where people are walking. Accidents with pedestrians can cause serious injury to both riders and others using the sidewalk, including people using wheelchairs and bicyclists in bike lanes. Pedestrian e-scooter accidents that involve strollers and small children or pets can also have disastrous consequences.

E-scooter accidents are often caused by:

Improper use: Many riders are inexperienced and don’t know how to properly control an e-scooter. They may crash into pedestrians walking on crosswalks or sidewalks. Irresponsible riders may speed and swerve around pedestrians, which can easily cause someone to fall and become injured. When a rider comes too close, handlebars may catch on a pedestrian and cause injury. A pedestrian trying to avoid a scooter may unknowingly run into traffic and be hit by another vehicle. Some riders may gather in large groups, which can be very dangerous to walkers, bicyclists, and others in parks and on walkways.

E-scooter malfunction: A malfunctioning scooter can lead to crashes that cause severe injury to those in its path.  Battery failure can cause an electric scooter’s wheels to unexpectedly lock or brakes may fail, leading to loss of control by the rider. Other types of malfunctions can cause the throttle to become stuck on full speed. All these defects can cause severe injury to riders, pedestrians, and others. If you’ve been injured due to a scooter malfunction, multiple parties may be liable for your damages, including the rider, the e-scooter rental company, and the parts manufacturer.

Improperly parked e-scooters: Instead of returning them to the stations where they belong, some riders just leave a scooter sitting on a sidewalk, against a pole, in front of doors, and other places where they don’t belong. Scooters lying on the sidewalk pose a serious tripping hazard that can lead to injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, cuts, and scrapes. Scooters left on handicap-accessible ramps can also cause serious injuries. Riders even leave scooters in the street, which can cause motor vehicle accidents as well.

Types Of Injuries Caused By E-Scooter Accidents

Being hit by an e-scooter or tripping over one on the sidewalk can cause serious harm, such as:

  • Head injuries, including a skull fracture, concussion, and traumatic brain injury
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Spinal injury
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Facial lacerations and scars
  • Dental injuries

What To Do After An E-Scooter Accident

If you’ve been involved in an e-scooter accident, call the police and seek medical attention right away. Some injuries don’t manifest themselves immediately, and if you need to pursue a personal injury claim, you’ll want to have documentation of the accident and your injuries available. Make sure to get contact information from the rider and any witnesses as well as a copy of the incident or accident report from the police.

You don’t have anything to lose by having one our lawyers evaluate your case — consultations are always free, and we work on a contingency basis, which means that you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation in your claim. You may be entitled to damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. If someone you love was killed in an e-scooter accident, our Jersey City personal injury attorneys can determine whether or not you have a viable wrongful death claim.

Contact A Jersey City Or Newfoundland Accident Attorney

Our experienced, compassionate team at Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman is committed to fighting for your rights and helping you get the compensation you deserve after an e-scooter accident. Call us at 201-798-2711 in Jersey City, New Jersey; or contact us online — we’re happy to answer any questions you may have and set up your free initial consultation. Our attorneys serve clients in Hoboken, Vernon, Kinnelon, Jefferson, and throughout the State of New Jersey as well. Se Habla Español.

Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman