Motorized scooters have become all the rage in major cities. They continue to gain popularity, especially in downtown Kansas City. The mix between these motorized scooters, pedestrians, and vehicles may be a recipe for disaster. As Bird and Lime scooters continue to become a way for people to travel to work and around town, more accidents occur that result in serious injuries and harm. If you suffered any injuries or losses as a result of an accident with a scooter in Kansas or Missouri, you should understand your legal rights.
E-Scooters and Motorized Scooters
Motorized and E-scooters are used by more and more individuals throughout cities in order to get to work, or by tourists visiting a city. No training is required to rent these scooters; all it takes is a payment and you can be on your way to zipping around the city. Their widespread use occurs on sidewalks (which is actually illegal in Kansas City) and on the streets, where motorists and pedestrians also travel. Because the rules are not quite so clear regarding who would have the right of way, and also because most of the users of these motorized scooters are not experienced in using these types of vehicles, accidents occur frequently.
Injuries Due to Scooter Accidents
It is not difficult to see that if a scooter has an accident with a motorist, there is absolutely no safety or protection afforded to the rider of the scooter. Accidents that occur between motorists and scooter riders, therefore, are typically catastrophic and involve severe injuries or even death. Even accidents that involve scooters and pedestrians can cause serious harm and injuries. Some scooters can travel up to 30 miles per hour, which would cause devastating accidents and possible fatalities. Possible scooter accident injuries include traumatic brain injury, broken or fractured bones, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, nerve damage, spinal cord injuries possibly leading to paralysis, lacerations, bruising, or even death.
What to do if You are Involved in a Scooter Accident
If you are involved in a scooter accident, take the same steps as you would after any other accident. Contact 911, make sure to receive medical evaluations for your injuries, gather the contact information of any other persons involved in the accident as well as witnesses, and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. You may have the legal right to pursue a claim against the motorist, pedestrian, another scooter rider, scooter company, scooter manufacturer, business owner (if it occurred on a business property), or even the city in which the accident took place, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.
Contact an Experienced Scooter Accident Lawyer
Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at Griggs Injury Law at (816) 474-0202 to learn your legal rights in your specific set of facts and circumstances, and how much compensation you can receive for your injuries if you were involved in a scooter accident in either Kansas or Missouri.
