Have you or a loved one ridden an electric scooter and suffered injuries? You can contact our firm, Anthem Injury Lawyers if you are in an electric scooter accident in and around Las Vegas.
Here, we will:
- Provide an overview of electric scooters and electric scooter sharing,
- Review electric scooter safety, and
- Provide tips if you are involved in an electric scooter accident.
Electric Scooter Legislation
Many people in the Las Vegas area use electric scooters as a form of recreation or as a form of transportation. The rise in the popularity of electric scooters has also led to a rise in injuries.
On June 3, 2019, Governor Steve Sisolak signed Assembly Bill 485. This allowed cities and counties to regulate electric scooters. (Essentially, this allows electric scoots to exist in Nevada).
Now that Assembly Bill 485 has been signed, expect the number of electric scooter-related injuries to rise. To prevent the rise in scooter-related injuries, you should proceed with caution when riding an electric scooter.
What are electric scooters?
An electric scooter, or e-scooter, is a stand-up scooter powered by an electric motor. Riders of the original scooter used foot power for momentum. The electric scooter relies on an electric motor instead of rider momentum. These motors can reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour.
Electric scooter riders are subject to the same rules and rights as bicycle riders.
What are electric scooter sharing systems?
Electric scooters have seen a soar in popularity. Scooter-sharing systems such as Lime, Bird, and JUMP by Uber have deposited them onto city sidewalks all over the country.
A scooter-sharing system is a service in which electric scooters are available to use for short-term rentals. The most popular services allow riders to sign-up and pay a fee for the use of the electric scooter via an app.
Electric scooters are generally “dockless”, meaning that they do not have a fixed home location. This means that electric scooters are available for public use from random locations in a given service area. The dockless system can create a convenient transportation option in urban areas but can contribute to urban challenges such as hazardous sidewalk placement.
Electric Scooter Injuries
The number of craniofacial injuries related to motorized scooters tripled over the 10-year period from 2008 to 2017. (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Craniofacial injuries related to motorized scooter use: A rising epidemic.)
This study found that from 2008 to 2017, there were 990 recorded events for craniofacial injuries secondary to motorized scooters. This number extrapolates to an estimated 32,001 emergency department (ED) visits.
Some of the most common issues with electric scooters resulting in injuries are as follows:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Scooting under the influence
- More than one rider on a scooter
- Reckless Riders
- Defective Scooters
- Discarded Scooters
- Novice Riders
- Scooter accidents with pedestrians
- Scooter accidents with motor vehicles
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As you can see, electric scooters present myriad hazards in and around Las Vegas (and across the country). If you have been involved in an electric scooter accident in the Las Vegas area, please contact our office. From defective scooters to reckless riders and more, we can discuss your case with you during a *Free* initial consultation. Call our office today: (702) 857-6000.
Electric Scooter Safety
The following tips can keep you safe when venturing out on an electric scooter:
- Protect yourself from head injuries by wearing a helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a moped or motorcycle helmet when riding motorized scooters. Motorized scooters are “capable of maintained speeds of at least 20 mph and likely to have more interaction with motor vehicles than non-motorized activities.”
- If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol do not use an electric scooter. The chance for accident or injury increases significantly. Some states are even beginning to prosecute electric scooter-related DUIs!
- Most electric scooters can only accommodate one individual. Do not attempt to ride a scooter with more than one person.
- Stay aware while riding an electric scooter. Do not engage in horseplay and do not allow yourself to be distracted. Put down your cellphone and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Prior to riding an electric scooter, do a safety check. If anything appears to be amiss, do not ride the electric scooter. This can include issues with the breaks, stand, or tires. If the electric scooter is a rental, contact the rental provider and let them know of the issue.
- Discarded scooters can provide safety hazards for both pedestrians and riders. Do not discard scooters in areas with heavy traffic. Stay aware on public streets for discarded scooters, especially in areas where sidewalk space is limited.
- If it is your first time riding an electric scooter, proceed with caution. Take a spin in a less crowded area where you are less likely to encounter pedestrians and motor vehicles.
- Avoid collisions with pedestrians and motor vehicles by proceeding with caution and staying alert. When approaching intersections or heavily congested areas, decrease your speed.
What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident
If you decide to use an electric scooter, we hope you have a safe and happy experience. However, accidents can happen.
As we have discussed, there are many ways to avoid scooter accidents in and around Las Vegas, but they can still happen. Don’t wait to call Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000. With our *Free* initial consultation you can talk to us about what happened, and we can determine if you have a case, and the best way to proceed.
At the scene of an electric scooter accident, it’s important to know what to do. Regardless of whether or not you are at fault for the accident, you should follow these steps after the accident:
After a Scooter Accident
1. Stop
If you are involved in an accident, stop your electric scooter no matter how minor the accident.
2. Breathe
Accidents can be scary. Take a deep breath to center yourself and figure out your next steps.
3. Assess the Scene
If you or someone else is hurt or injured, call 911. Stay where you are until you receive proper medical treatment. If you are well enough, move yourself and the scooter to a safe area like the side of the road.
4. Call the Police
Even if your injuries are not apparent and the accident appears minor, call the police. When the police arrive, tell them exactly what happened.
If you don’t know or aren’t sure, don’t speculate or lie. If they ask if you are injured, say that you don’t know. Some injuries may not show up until later.
5. Gather the Facts
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The more information you can get, the better. Information can make a potential insurance claims process smoother and can help you build a stronger case for any potential lawsuit. Keep dialogue with any other parties to a minimum and stick to the facts. Write down as much as you remember about the accident.
If the accident involved a motor vehicle, obtain insurance and contact information.
If you can, get the following important information:
- Full name and driver’s license number of the driver involved in the accident.
- Color, make, model, year and license plate number of the car or cars involved.
- Insurance company and insurance company policy number of all drivers involved.
- Contact information for drivers including name, address, and phone number.
- Contact information for any witnesses including name, address, and phone number.
- Location of the scene of the accident.
- The name of the street you are on and the nearest cross street or exact address.
- The name, badge number and contact information of the police officer who reports to the scene of the accident.
- Date and time of the accident.
- The direction you were traveling in and the direction the other vehicle was traveling in.
- Notes on the driving conditions like the weather, debris on the road, malfunctioning traffic lights, etc.
If you can, take pictures using your mobile phone to document the scene.
If you suffered injuries, take pictures of your injuries as well.
6. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Once you’ve gotten medical attention and documented the accident, seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney. An experienced personal injury law firm will walk you through the process of dealing with your potential claims.
Experienced Las Vegas, NV Personal Injury Lawyers
We wish you a safe and happy ride, no matter your form of transportation.
We encourage you to review the electric scooter safety tips we’ve provided. We also hope to make you aware of the risks that electric scooter riders face in and around Las Vegas. Everyone can do their part to reduce electric scooter accidents.
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But even if you take all of the precautions in the world, electric scooter accidents can happen. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an electric scooter accident in the Las Vegas area, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you protect your rights.
We offer free initial consultations. Our law office is in Henderson, but we work with clients all over the Las Vegas Valley. Call us at (702) 857-6000 to set up your free consultation or fill out our online contact form.
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