Miami Scooter Accident Lawyer

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Electric scooters are becoming more popular in the United States. Why? It is easy and more convenient to ride electric scooters in congested areas, such as big cities. However, the increased usage of electric scooters has led to an increased number of accidents. If you were injured in an e-scooter accident, you can hire a Miami e-scooter accident lawyer to help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Looking for a reliable accident lawyer in Miami, Florida? At Klotzman Law Firm, we are ready to help you build a strong case and protect your rights. We have the necessary resources, experience, and skills to assist you to get the compensation you rightfully deserve. We also help people who rented electric scooters or pedestrians who suffered injuries from an electric scooter accident. 

Contact us at 954-915-7405 for a FREE case review.

Table of Contents

What Is an Electric Scooter?

miami Scooter Accident

It is a light, battery-powered scooter. You can purchase or rent it. The maximum speed of an e-scooter is 15 mph. You can, therefore, ride your e-scooter along streets in both small and big cities. It is easy to purchase an electric scooter in a big city in the USA. 

You can even use your smartphone and credit card to hire an electric scooter because it features GPS trackers and wireless connectivity. Rental companies mostly charge $1 per minute and the range is up to 35 miles. The rental companies have different rental prices. 

Where Can You Ride an Electric Scooter in Miami, Florida? 

You are allowed to ride your electric scooter on the street and sidewalks in Miami. It is, however, advisable to ride your electric scooter in bike lanes. 

Are E-Scooter Riders Required To Wear A Helmet?

E-scooter riders are not required to wear a helmet in Florida. However, operators of electric scooters under the age of 21 must wear a helmet. It is best to wear a helmet. It can protect you from severe injuries in case of an electric scooter accident.

How Does the Florida Law View Electric Scooters?

A rider must be over the age of 16 years to ride an electric scooter in Florida. The rider is not required to have a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter. Riders can use their electric scooters on bike lanes on public roads. That is why they have the same rights and responsibilities that bicyclists have in Florida. And only one rider is allowed per electric scooter. 

What Are The Main Causes Of E-Scooter Crashes In Florida?

Scooter malfunctions, such as motor shutting down unexpectedly, faulty brakes, or unexpected acceleration, are some of the causes of electric scooter accidents in the state of Florida. The following are the possible causes of e-scooter crashes in Florida

  • Failure to follow traffic laws in a local area
  • Defective road conditions
  • Weaving through traffic on congested streets
  • Inexperienced riders
  • A distracted rider
  • Riding on a sidewalk and knocking down one or more pedestrians

What Are The Common Types Of Injuries That People Sustain While Riding An E-Scooter?

You will ride your electric scooter on the road. Cars, trucks, buses, and bicycles may use the same road. It is, therefore, risky to ride an e-scooter on the road. Wearing a helmet can protect you while riding your e-scooter. However, you can still suffer serious injuries while riding your e-scooter. 

Here are some of the injuries that you can suffer while riding your electric scooter: 

  • Eye injuries
  • TBI (traumatic brain injury)
  • Head injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations and cuts

If you or a family member was hurt in an e-scooter accident, you need to hire a good Miami e-scooter accident lawyer to help you prove it is not your fault and assist you to recover compensation from the at-fault party. Our lawyers will protect your rights. 

In Florida, electric rides are required to: 

  • Not to carry passengers on their electric scooters 
  • Not ride their electric scooters on highways 
  • Ensure that the brakes of their electric scooters are working
  • Obey the speed limit of 15 mph
  • Not to carry packages or bundles that stop them from keeping their hands on the handlebars of their scooters

Who Can Be Held Liable For An E-Scooter Accident In Miami?

The e-scooter ride, the driver, the e-scooter company, pedestrians, and the city, business, or construction company can be held liable for an e-scooter accident in Miami, Florida. E-scooter accidents can lead to serious injuries and losses. 

It is, therefore, crucial to determine the party who is responsible for the e-scooter accident. The at-fault party pays for the injuries and damages. Read on to learn who can be held liable for an electric scooter accident in Miami, FL: 

The E-Scooter Rider

If an e-scooter rider injures a pedestrian while riding their electric scooter, then the rider can be held liable for the injuries that the pedestrian suffered in that accident. E-scooter riders can cause electric scooter accidents due to speeding, failing to apply the brakes in time, or not paying attention. 

Drivers 

If a driver of a car or any other vehicle hits an e-scooter rider while they were riding their electric scooter, then the driver can be held liable. However, the e-scooter rider will need to prove that the driver was negligent. Hiring a good e-scooter accident lawyer can help them prove negligence. 

The E-Scooter Company

The manufacturer of the e-scooter can be held liable if their e-scooter malfunctions while the e-scooter rider was riding their scooter. If any part malfunctions, the manufacturer of that part can be held liable.

Pedestrians

If an e-scooter accident happened due to the negligent actions of a pedestrian, then the pedestrian can be held liable. If you suffered an injury or any loss in your e-scooter accident, then you can file a claim against the homeowner’s insurance of that pedestrian. 

Construction Company, Business, Or City

A city can be held liable if an e-scooter accident occurs due to damaged sidewalks. If a business or construction company leaves debris or obstructions on their property, then they can be held liable if an e-scooter accident occurred due to the debris or obstructions on their property. 

What Damages Can You Recover For An E-Scooter Injury In Miami, Florida?

You can recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages in an e-scooter accident in Miami, Florida. However, you will need to prove that your e-scooter accident occurred due to the negligent actions of the responsible party. Once you have proven negligence, your lawyer can help you recover the following damages: 

Lost Wages 

Electric scooter accidents can cause serious injuries. It can take months or even years to recover from some of these injuries. You may be forced to stop working. You may even lose your job due to your injuries. You will be compensated for your lost wages. 

Medical Expenses 

It is expensive to recover from these injuries. You may spend several months in the hospital. You will end up spending more money to recover from your injuries. You can, therefore, seek compensation for medical expenses related to your injury until you can completely recover from your injuries.  

Pain and Suffering

You can also seek compensation for non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, distress, emotional anguish, loss of consortium, and more. It is, however, difficult to calculate the value of these damages. You will need an experienced and knowledgeable Miami e-scooter accident lawyer to help you recover fair compensation. 

How Can Terms Of Service Agreements Affect Your Claim?

Once you download an app for your e-scooter, you will have to agree to the terms and conditions before you use the app or ride your electric scooter. However, people do not read and understand the terms and conditions. They rush to agree to terms and conditions. 

Rental companies may state that they will not be held liable for injuries and damages that might occur while the rider is operating their electric scooter. If you do not read the terms and conditions, you will not know. Therefore, you will be held liable because you agreed to the terms and conditions of your rental company. 

Did you agree to the terms and conditions? At Klotzman Law Firm, we can review the terms and conditions on your behalf. We will also consider the circumstances associated with your e-scooter accident and your injuries to know if you can still make a claim against the rental company or manufacturer. 

Call 954-915-7405 to book your FREE initial consultation. 

Is There Insurance Coverage For E-Scooter Accidents?

miami Scooter Accident

In the state of Florida, you are not required to carry any form of insurance if the engine of your electric scooter has an output of 50cc or less. In addition, manufacturers and rental companies do not carry liability coverage for people who want to purchase or rent their electric scooters. 

Fortunately, you can still file a claim against the insurance company of the responsible party. Here are the types of insurance you can file a claim against: 

  • Scooter insurance 
  • Personal-liability umbrella insurance
  • Renters’ or homeowners’ insurance
  • Auto-insurance, when the party at fault was a driver
  • Health insurance

How Long Do You Have To File An E-Scooter Claim In The State Of Florida?

In the state of Florida, you will need to file an electric scooter claim within 4 four years from the date of your electric scooter accident. If you fail to file your claim within 4 four years, your case will not go forward. 

On the other hand, you have 2 years from the date of the death of a family member to file a wrongful death claim. 

It is advisable to hire a lawyer to help file your claim as soon as possible. Your lawyer will ensure you do not miss any deadlines. Your lawyer can help you collect evidence. Lawyers work with experts. Your lawyers will, therefore, have your best interest at heart. 

Reasons Why E-Scooters Are Dangerous

It is beneficial to use an electric scooter. Electric scooters can reduce traffic congestion in big cities. They do not release harmful gases into the environment. And they are reliable. They can save you more money over the long term. However, electric scooters are still dangerous. Electric scooters can cause severe injuries or even fatalities.

The following are the reasons electric scooters are dangerous: 

No Statewide Mandate For Helmets

The operators of electric scooters are not required to wear helmets. However, if you are under the age of 21, you will be required to wear a helmet. Therefore, people, who are not required to wear a helmet, are not protected. Some of these people will avoid wearing a helmet. It is dangerous to operate an e-scooter without a helmet. 

Lack Of Licensing And Training

You do not need to have a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter. People go through training to get a license. And if they fail the test, they do not get a license. Therefore, many people are not properly trained to ride electric scooters. Inexperienced riders are more likely to cause e-scooter accidents. 

Durability

Rental companies have cheap and low-quality electric scooters. They are more likely to break down on the road. However, many riders do not know that these electric scooters are low-quality. It is risky to operate poor-quality electric scooters. 

Speed

One of the main causes of electric scooter crushes is excessive speeding. In Miami, FL, you are not required to exceed 15 miles per hour. Electric scooters are heavy and unstable. If they reach higher speeders, they can tip over. It is recommended to drive your e-scooter at reasonable speeds. 

Weight Limits

Almost all electric scooters have weight limits for riders. The maximum weight limit of most models is 220 pounds. If you are over 220 pounds, do not ride these models. If you are too heavy, it can affect the performance of your electric scooter. This can increase the risk of electric scooter accidents. 

Riding Location

Riders cannot ride electric scooters on sidewalks in most cities in the USA. It is dangerous to ride electric scooters on sidewalks. In fact, according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most electric scooter accidents happened on sidewalks. It is, therefore, dangerous to ride electric scooters in some locations.

Brake Defects

Brake defects can cause electric scooter accidents. Electric scooters use a software. If there is a software problem, then it can result in brake defects, such as excessive sudden breaking or irregular braking. Updating the software might not solve the problem. In fact, some electric scooters have been banned due to safety concerns. 

It is imperative to know about the dangers of operating an e-scooter. If you know these dangers, you can lower the risk of injury. However, if you were injured in an electric scooter accident, Klotzman Law Firm firm can help you file a claim for your injuries. 

How Can A Miami E-Scooter Accident Lawyer Help Me?

If you were hurt in an electric scooter accident, you can hire an e-scooter accident lawyer to help you seek compensation. Hiring a good lawyer increases your chances of securing fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Lawyers have a better understanding of the laws relating to e-scooters. 

At Klotzman Law Firm, we will review your case, collect evidence, and negotiate the settlement on your behalf. We will work hard to help you get the maximum compensation. We will answer all your questions. And we will protect your rights. Contact us at 954-915-7405 today.  

What To Do After You Were Involved In An E-Scooter Accident

The traffic rules are supposed to maintain the safety of drivers, riders, and pedestrians on the road. However, accidents still happen on our roads. If you were involved in an e-scooter accident, you need to do some things before you leave the accident scene. 

Check for Injuries 

If you can still move, you need to check yourself for injuries. If there are other victims on the accident scene, you need to check them for injuries. If you feel pain in your head, neck, or back, you should remain still. Do not forget to call 911 immediately. 

See a Medical Doctor 

If you are not feeling any pain, you may avoid seeing a medical doctor. It is wise to see a medical doctor, even if you are not feeling any pain. It can take time for some injuries to become visible. Your medical doctor will assess you to ensure did not sustain internal injuries. 

Contact the Police 

Contact the police. Why? You will need a police report to increase your chances of winning your case. State the facts when talking to the police. You do not have to give your opinion. The insurance company may use what you said to deny or downplay your claim. 

Collect Evidence 

It is easy to collect evidence these days. Use your smartphone to record videos or take photos of the accident scene. Take photos of your injuries and property damage. Your lawyer will use these photos and videos to prove your case. 

Get Important Details 

You will need to get the important details before you leave the accident scene. Therefore, write down the full name, driver’s license number, telephone number, and address of the driver. Remember to get the names and phone numbers of the witnesses. 

Contact Klotzman Law Firm to Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!

It is fun and more convenient to use electric scooters. They are reliable and safe for the environment. Therefore, many people are riding electric scooters these days. However, most of these people are inexperienced and do not wear a helmet. So, they can cause electric scooter accidents. 

If you or a loved one was hurt in an electric scooter accident due to the negligent actions of someone else, you need a skilled and reputable electric scooter accident lawyer to help you secure compensation for your injuries and losses. We do not recommend going it alone. 

At Klotzman Law Firm, we help real people just like you. We have handled thousands of claims. We will work so hard to ensure you are fairly compensated. And we operate on a contingency fee basis. If we do not win your case, we do not get paid. Call 954-915-7405 for a FREE consultation with our Miami e-scooter accident lawyer.

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