You’ve probably noticed that Kansas City is filling up with electric scooters, and they offer pedestrians a new method of transportation for getting around the city. Riders are charged by the minute and can use an app on their phone to locate and unlock any scooter that is not in use. However, this new fad puts both drivers and pedestrians at a greater risk of being involved in an accident.
With each new transportation service, comes new regulations to help keep drivers and pedestrians safe. An agreement was put in place last July and stated that scooter users are to obey any law that is observed by bicyclists. Kansas City has been open to having the scooters in the city and has been one of the more progressive cities when it comes to accepting this new technology. Other cities have past laws to keep the scooters out of their community, but KC made an agreement with Bird that requires them to pay $1 per day for every scooter the company has on our streets. Our personal injury attorneys looked at what the biggest risks are to riders and provided some insight on how to handle an accident that involves an electric scooter.
Who’s at Fault?
Many communities throughout the US are still trying to implement policies to help protect drivers and riders from accidents and many legal questions are still being answered. Several different types of accidents can lead to a personal injury case. For example, a scooter could hit a pedestrian, a scooter can be hit by a vehicle, a scooter can hit another scooter, or a defective scooter can cause an accident. In most cases, companies such as Bird or Lime are not at fault unless it can be proven that an accident was caused by a faulty scooter that they allowed to be on the streets. Law enforcement officials are now cracking down and giving tickets to any scooter rider who fails to obey the law.
What Happens After an Accident?
Though it may seem like fun to ride around KC on a scooter, it is also a motorized device that can cause harm if not used properly. If you or someone you know is involved in a scooter-related accident, then the first thing you should do is call 911. It is important that a law enforcement official documents the details of the accident and this can be crucial when seeking compensations for damages caused by the accident. Don’t delay seeking medical attention if you are hurt, and it may be worth keeping in mind that some insurance agencies may deny coverage depending on several factors.
We hope you never have any issues or accidents with the electric scooters in the city, but if you do, you deserve an attorney that will fight for the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, pain, financial loss, and other damages. Contact Castle Law Office at 816-842-7100, and you will speak with a real person who will connect you with an attorney who will fight for you. You may only need an attorney once in your life, and if you do, we are here, right here, fighting for you every step of the way!
