An e-scooter provides a convenient and fun source of transportation for many. Yet those who own and ride these vehicles frequently are just as vulnerable to accidents as bicyclists. In 2024, more people than ever rely on e-scooters for transportation. If you own this specific type of vehicle and are in an accident, contact a DC e-scooter accident lawyer immediately.
An effective DC e-scooter accident lawyer who routinely represents clients in motor scooter-related personal injury cases understands the trauma these accidents can cause and wants to help as much as possible. By entrusting your claim to a legal professional, you are showing the individual who hit you that your injuries are serious. The damages you could win should cover all healthcare expenses related to the case, including physical therapy and trauma counseling. Call Gelb & Gelb, P.C. to learn more about your rights and options for compensation.
E-scooters and Vespas are not considered vehicles as they are personal mobility devices. However, they still cannot be operated by anyone under 16. Riders are not required to wear helmets in D.C., though helmets are strongly recommended for anyone on a scooter, Vespa, bike, or motorcycle. Personal mobility devices are allowed in bike lanes and sidewalks, though sidewalk riding is prohibited in the Central Business District.
D.C. laws also state that scooter and Vespa drivers do not require licenses or insurance to operate their vehicles but must obey all applicable traffic laws. They must also refrain from riding over 10 miles an hour and are encouraged to use both hands while operating their vehicles. Individuals who follow these rules but still get in accidents should speak with motor scooter attorneys as soon as possible.
Personal mobility device riders who get struck by other vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles, can sustain a wide variety of serious injuries. Among the most common forms of physical harm include:
Depending on the nature of the accident, scooter, and Vespa accidents can also have fatal consequences and require surviving family members to file wrongful death claims with legal professional assistance.
A DC e-scooter accident lawyer can guide you through the complexities of the case, simplifying the nuances so your focus can remain on your physical recovery. An e-scooter accident case is often more difficult to pursue than a motor vehicle case. We say that not to discourage you from pursuing your rightful compensation. Rather, it is important to appreciate this to understand why you may need a DC e-scooter accident lawyer. In the typical motor vehicle accident case, the property damage to both vehicles tells a storyteller. For instance, if there is damage to the rear of your vehicle and to the front of the vehicle that hits you, a jury can infer that you were rear-ended. But what if you are on an e-scooter, and the damage to the car that hits you is on the side? Then, it is less intuitive.
Proving liability in an e-scooter accident is an essential part of your claim. This involves accumulating the necessary evidence and displaying the evidence to the adverse insurer, judge, or jury in a way that is convincing. Further, a DC e-scooter accident lawyer will help hold the defendant and their insurance provider accountable. Insurance companies are notorious for evading making payments whenever possible. If there is a loophole, they will find it and look to extort it. Fortunately, Gelb & Gelb’s attorneys have been facing off against insurance companies since our founding over 70 years ago. The legal landscape in Washington, DC, is competitive. We have earned a reputation for being tough on the insurance companies, fighting so you recover every bit you deserve for your injuries.
Before discussing compensation available to an e-scooter accident victim, we must verify that we have successfully proved liability by a preponderance of the evidence. Only then do we begin to discuss the value of your case. Below, we discuss the types of compensation that may be available to you:
As an accident victim who has successfully proven negligence on the defendant’s part and survived all potential defenses, you may be entitled to medical expenses. These expenses must be causally related to your electric scooter accident. The defense may try to argue that these expenses must be reasonable. In practice, the most common issue with recovering medical costs is when the treatment is not actually because of the scooter accident. For example, if you go to the doctor six times but three times, you are being treated for something unrelated to the accident. In that instance, those medical expenses are likely unrecoverable.
Lost wages are generally recoverable with help from a DC e-scooter accident lawyer so long as your doctor excuses you from work. If not, you may still be able to recover for time missed from work if your missed time corresponds with a doctor’s appointment. In that instance, you may be entitled to compensation for up to three hours missed.
This is noneconomic or general damage. If you break a rib from an electric scooter accident, your quality of life will be reduced for months. You will have more difficulty of a time sleeping, breathing, sitting, standing, walking, and enjoying other parts of life because of your pain, causally related to the accident. You are entitled to compensation for this pain.
It should come as no surprise that you are not responsible for the property damage to your electric scooter if you did not cause the accident. Although, if you rent the scooter from Lime Scooters, Bird Scooters, Uber, Lyft, DC Scooter, or some other company, they may ask for immediate reimbursement for damages even though you are not responsible. When this happens, it is best to consult with a DC e-scooter accident lawyer to discuss your options.
Punitive damages are typically only available in Washington, DC, if the defendant meant to hit you with their vehicle. This is rare and difficult to prove, though it does happen. If it does, contact a DC e-scooter accident lawyer immediately.
If you were recently injured in a personal mobility device accident, contact a DC e-scooter accident lawyer today. Our firm remains dedicated to helping riders on two and three wheels receive compensation for injuries they experience on the road. Roger Gelb will fight hard for you from start to finish, so do not hesitate to call. Reach out today to learn what we can do for you.
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