As with any accident, being involved in a scooter accident can be a scary event with a lot of uncertainty. In some ways, they may feel even more alarming as a vulnerable, more exposed rider. Whenever you are riding a scooter, whether rented or personally owned, it is important to understand your local scooter laws and your rights as a scooter operator.
As your experienced Indiana personal injury lawyers, we at Crossen Law Firm want to help you be informed of any potential risks and legal protections available to you. Here we outline important information about scooter accidents and your legal options after being involved in one.
Recent Trends in Scooter Accidents
The popularity of owning and renting scooters (electric and gas-powered) as a convenient, affordable, and admittedly fun transportation has skyrocketed. Recently, a study was done to understand national safety trends in the use of all “micromobility” transportation options including scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards.
The researchers found some staggering information highlighting the potential risks scooter riders face:
- The rate of scooter accidents has consistently increased over the past five years, with a 22% increase from 2021 to 2022 alone.
- Scooter accidents account for nearly 50% of all micromobility fatalities.
- One-quarter of accidents involve people aged 15 to 24 years old while 40% of accidents involve people aged 25 to 44 years old.
- Males are more likely to be in a scooter crash, making up nearly two-thirds (65%) of all accidents.
- Motor vehicle crashes are one of the top causes of scooter-related incidents.
With the growing risks associated with scooters and scooter-related crashes, it’s important to understand what to do if you are in an accident.
First Steps After a Scooter Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident while operating a scooter, your health and safety are the top priority. Call for emergency services immediately. Once first responders arrive, be sure to receive any medical attention that is recommended to you by the healthcare professionals. This includes both immediate care and follow-up appointments recommended to you.
Next, if you are safe and able to do so, also request contact information or a copy of any available police reports. Having official documentation of the event itself may be important in determining if you qualify for filing a legal suit, help determine who is at fault, or even support your financial claims once a case is underway.
Additionally, keep a record of all your medical treatments and associated healthcare bills. This includes emergency room bills, outpatient or specialist appointments, follow-up treatments or surgeries, medication costs, rehabilitative therapy, and more. This documentation can help to illustrate how an accident has functionally and financially impacted your life and help determine financial compensation.
Finally, get in touch with an experienced scooter accident and personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Scooter accidents can be complicated to navigate due to the various rules and regulations that surround their use. A skilled attorney can walk you through your unique situation and questions. They will help you to understand what situations qualify for legal action, what documentation you need to gather, what information you should (or shouldn’t) share with the other parties, and more.
Common Injuries After Scooter Accidents
The effects of being in a scooter-related crash can be minor to severe or even life-threatening in some cases. Seeking medical attention after a scooter accident is recommended to evaluate you for any injuries that can occur.
Here are some examples of common injuries sustained after a scooter incident:
- Head traumas including skull fractures, scalp wounds, and facial injuries.
- Neurological injuries including traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and spinal cord injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries including severe contusions, sprains, strains, or tears of muscle, ligaments, tendons, and more.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Fractures, or broken bones, in other limbs or parts of the body.
- Lacerations, abrasions, or other wounds.
- Emotional and psychological trauma.
These are just a few of the examples of the physical and emotional toll a crash can have on your life. If you were involved in a collision while operating a scooter, you may find yourself dealing with one or more of these concerns. Seeking any financial compensation you are legally entitled can ease stress and financial burden while you focus on your recovery.
Laws and Regulations to Consider
In the state of Indiana, some specific rules and regulations apply to scooter operators to ensure their safety and those around them. Per Indiana state code IC 9-21-11-13.6, persons utilizing electric scooters are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as persons using bicycles. Specifically, this means that they are not allowed to ride on sidewalks and must operate on the street while abiding by traffic rules.
Other regulations outline requirements such as:
- Lamps and light requirements on the front and rear of scooters for visibility for the operator and other drivers.
- Appropriate and designated parking guidelines to facilitate and maintain pedestrian and traffic flow.
- Prohibiting scooters from driving on interstate highways at any time.
The conduct of scooter drivers, including recklessness, speeding, distractedness, or operating under the influence, will be evaluated in the event of an accident. Indiana law also has a statute of limitations outlining how long you have to file a lawsuit after a scooter accident. Typically this is a two-year timeline but, in some cases, you may only have 180 days to file.
Being a responsible driver while also being aware of local scooter regulations and protections is extremely important to protect yourself and others while enjoying this convenient transportation option. Contacting a lawyer sooner rather than later will also ensure you take advantage of your window of opportunity for filing a lawsuit.
How a Lawyer Can Help After an Accident
Even under the best of circumstances, accidents can still happen. Partnering with skilled attorneys, like the team at Crossen Law Firm, after being in an accident can help you navigate a potentially complicated situation and understand your legal rights.
We will sit down with you to:
- Review any evidence
- Evaluate possible claims for financial damages
- Navigate insurance representatives for personal expenses or another’s policy
- Determine who may be at fault for the accident
- And more
An experienced attorney can also help you holistically determine a dollar amount if planning to seek financial compensation.
Damages for being a victim in a scooter-related crash may cover:
- Medical bills including hospital stays, follow-up care, and ongoing therapy.
- Lost wages due to missed work from injuries.
- Estimates of future medical costs.
- Negative changes in your quality of life or ability to perform meaningful activities.
- Permanency of injuries sustained in the accident.
- Psychological distress caused by the accident or related injuries.
- Property damages.
- Any gross negligence or wanton misconduct exhibited by the other party.
Defining these costs and navigating a legal process can be difficult, especially while trying to heal and recover. Partnering with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you consider each of these areas and accurately estimate your financial damages.
Contact Crossen Law Firm for Your Scooter Accident
At Crossen Law Firm, we use our years of personal injury and Indiana scooter law experience to walk you through each step of considering and filing a lawsuit. We are passionate about helping our clients be informed of their rights and putting them at ease with the legal process. We take pride in alleviating the burden of a complex legal situation and allowing you to focus on recovering and returning to your life.
If you were involved in a scooter accident, contact our team today for a free consultation here or by calling 317-401-8626.
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