Weatherford Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
Have you been injured in an electric scooter accident in Weatherford, TX? Scooter crashes are usually minor and result in little more than embarrassment and scrapes.
However, many people are left with serious injuries after an electric scooter accident, especially if a vehicle was involved.
If someone else caused you to get hurt, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact the lawyers at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free case review with a Weatherford electric scooter accident lawyer who can help you. You can call us at (817) 409-7000.
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How a Weatherford Personal Injury Attorney Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in an Electric Scooter Accident
Electric scooter companies like Lime and Bird have expanded rapidly across the United States.
While they offer an eco-friendly and cheap way to get around the city, emergency rooms have seen an increase in the number of accident victims.
Electric scooters can be dangerous for both riders and pedestrians when they are operated on Weatherford sidewalks and streets.
With their rise in popularity has come attempts at legislation and outright banning in some cities. However, tens of thousands of people have still been hurt. If you have been injured in an electric scooter crash, a Weatherford personal injury lawyer can serve as your advocate to protect your rights and hold the responsible party accountable.
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has more than two decades of experience representing accident victims in Weatherford. He is an award-winning trial lawyer with an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell who has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer. Stephens has secured some of the largest jury awards in Texas history for his clients.
When you choose Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to represent you in your case, you can trust Jason Stephens to:
- Guide you through the legal process and listen to your story
- Handle all aspects of your case from beginning to end
- Investigate your accident to identify potentially liable parties
- Gather and assess evidence with the help of experts
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
Jason Stephens is not afraid to take your case before a jury if negotiations fail. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today for a free consultation with an award-winning electric scooter accident lawyer in Weatherford, Texas.
Electric Scooter Accident Statistics
E-scooters have been growing in popularity in cities across the United States. This has led not only to an increase in accidents but also cities rushing to legislate the use of electric scooters.
Dallas and Austin both embraced e-scooter rentals.
Fort Worth, on the other hand, has largely stayed away from the trend with Mayor Betsy Price stating that they are “just not that safe for the average person.”
Rental scooters from Bird, Lime, and other companies are a common sight in other major cities in Texas – including Weatherford.
After Austin suspended its electric scooter operations, it worked with the CDC to study the safety of the alternative mode of transportation. The study looked at 271 people who sustained injuries potentially related to scooters within a 10-week period of 2018. This study found an injury rate of 20 for every 100,000 electric scooter rides.
A separate study published in JAMA Surgery found a surge in injuries related to e-scooters. The report found almost 40,000 fractures, head injuries, bruises, and cuts from scooter accidents treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. between 2014 and 2018.
Dozens of deaths across the U.S. have also been linked to electric scooter rentals.
What Causes Electric Scooter Accidents in Weatherford?
Electric scooter accidents happen for many reasons. Sometimes the accidents are caused by drivers, but they can also be caused by operator error.
Common causes of e-scooter accidents in Texas include:
- Operator inexperience
- Riding in traffic
- Operating a scooter on a busy sidewalk
- Distracted operation
- Unsafe turns
- Failing to wear safety gear
- Operating a scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Dangerous road conditions
- Nighttime scooter operation
- Scooter defects such as faulty brakes, power surges, or locking front wheels
These accidents can injure pedestrians and scooter riders. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 551.352, electric scooter riders are required to follow certain rules:
- An electric scooter can only be operated on a road with a speed limit of 35mph or lower
- Municipalities and counties can ban the use of electric scooters on roads and sidewalks
- Electric scooters should usually only be used on paths for bicycles
- Electric scooter riders have the right to cross a roadway regardless of speed limit
Scooter riders who disobey these rules or are otherwise negligent may be held liable for a scooter accident, whether they are the only injured party or they hurt someone else.
If you were hurt in an electric scooter accident, a Weatherford e-scooter accident lawyer will help you investigate the cause of your accident and who may be at fault.
Common Electric Scooter Injuries
Like bicycles, electric scooters offer almost no protection in an accident. The operator is at an increased risk of injury in a collision, particularly with a vehicle. Electric scooters are also difficult for drivers to see. Inexperienced or reckless scooter riders also pose a risk to pedestrians.
Most e-scooter accidents only result in abrasions and bruises, but car accidents involving a scooter can be disastrous.
The Weatherford electric scooter accident lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC sees victims with the following types of injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Mild brain injury like a concussion
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Wrongful death
An electric scooter accident may lead to a long and painful recovery. It can also lead to serious disability and permanent scars. If you have been involved in an accident involving an e-scooter, contact the Weatherford personal injury lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to evaluate your case.
How Comparative Negligence in Texas Affects Your Electric Scooter Accident Claim
It’s important to understand the modified comparative negligence rule in Texas as it commonly affects scooter accidents. Depending on the details of your accident, multiple parts may share liability such as:
- A driver
- The scooter rider
- A pedestrian
- The scooter manufacturer
- The scooter company
Under Texas law, multiple parties can share legal liability. Liability will be assigned to each party based on their share of fault in the accident. Under the modified comparative negligence rule, you cannot recover any compensation if you are 51% or more at fault. Otherwise, your damages can be reduced for every share of fault assigned to you.
If you are found 30% at fault for your accident, for example, your damages will be reduced by 30%.
Compensation Available in a Weatherford Electric Scooter Accident
If your e-scooter injury claim is successful, you can recover financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. These damages include economic damages and general damages that do not have a clear financial value. Common damages available in an electric scooter injury case include:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses including the cost of future anticipated medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC will tirelessly fight for the full compensation you deserve from the at-fault party.
Statute of Limitations to File an Electric Scooter Injury Lawsuit
It’s crucial to understand the statute of limitations that applies to your case. Under Texas law, you have just two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Parker County or you lose your right to recover compensation.
While this may seem like a long time, the longer you delay, the more difficult it becomes to prove the facts in your case. Evidence such as video surveillance, conditions at the accident scene, and witnesses can vanish over time. It also becomes harder to link your injury to your accident and prove the severity of your injuries.
Do not waste time after your accident; consult with an experienced electric scooter injury lawyer in Weatherford to protect your legal claim.
Contact a Weatherford Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
Have you been injured in an electric scooter accident? Whether you were hurt as a scooter rider or a pedestrian, you deserve fair compensation from the party responsible for your injuries. Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has two decades of experience representing injury victims in seeking full compensation.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case with a Weatherford electric scooter accident lawyer.
