E-Scooter Accident Lawyers Pursuing Compensation for those Injured with Electric Scooters in Monmouth County, Ocean County, and throughout New Jersey
Electric scooters or e-scooters are a frequently-used mode of transportation and amusement in cities through New Jersey, such as Asbury Park, Red Bank, Long Branch, Manasquan, Belmar, as well as in nearby states. Since the use of E-Scooters has surged over recent years in NJ, so has the number of accidents related to this means of transportation. Electric scooters are battery-powered and can be rented through a smartphone app such as Lime, Bird, or OJO. They are typically less expensive and more convenient than bicycles for short trips around the city. However, they also raise safety concerns and regulatory issues. Companies that operate e-scooter services must ensure that their vehicles are appropriately maintained and parked in designated areas. Accidents can sometimes happen with riders who do not know how to control the scooters or who don’t know where they can ride them.
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in e-scooter accident due to another party’s negligence in New Jersey, you may have justification to file a lawsuit against those responsible. Proving your case for an electric scooter injury can be complex, but our experienced injury attorneys can assist with tackling all of the challenges in the legal process. Contact our legal team to discuss your potential claim for compensation from an e-scooter accident. We provide free consultations and are ready to assist you today. Call (732) 303-7857.
Do E-Scooters Require a License in New Jersey?
No, you do not need a license to ride a motorized scooter in New Jersey. Some basic rules riders must follow are maintaining a speed of 19MPH or less and using a helmet if they are under 17 (although it is a good idea for adults to use one as well). As they are considered “low-speed electric scooters,” riders must follow all bicycle laws and cannot block pedestrian traffic when placed on sidewalks.
Are Electric Scooters Regulated in New Jersey?
Yes. They fall under New Jersey’s bike laws. If a scooter is over 50cc, it is categorized as a motorcycle. E-scooters cannot be ridden in bike lanes or on a highway. They cannot be ridden on the sidewalk but parked on the sidewalk as long as access is not blocked to pedestrians.
Common Types of Accidents Involving E-Scooters
Scooter Crashes with Pedestrians
The most frequent accidents involve pedestrians, as e-scooter riders often are on sidewalks and crosswalks. E-scooters are rarely experienced and usually need more training. By going too fast on a sidewalk or the side of the road, e-scooter riders run into pedestrians, causing a myriad of injuries.
Accidents with E-Scooters and Vehicles
Another incidence is regarding motor vehicles and e-scooters. Being unfamiliar with e-scooters, motorists may need to be made aware of the rules with which they should be treated. E-scooter riders can be hurt because they have little to no protection. As previously mentioned, helmets are optional for those 17 and older, so few riders use them and can suffer serious accidents if they are hit by cars traveling at high speeds.
Defective E-Scooter Accidents
Some e-scooter accidents occur due to malfunctions or factory flaws. Think back to when the hoverboard became famous, and there were problems with the batteries catching fire. Any machine can malfunction if misused or if a manufacturing problem occurs. Electrical issues that accelerate the motor spontaneously or lose control because of a steering mechanism or braking problem can cause sudden stops or lurch the scooter out of control. Losing control can cause an accident against a car, pedestrian, or fixed object and lead to severe injuries. In these cases, defectively designed or manufactured electronic scooters that cause accidents may mean the product manufacturers or designers are liable for injuries under product liability law.
Motorized Scooter Injuries Caused by Speeding
Using an e-scooter to race another rider, bicyclist, or skateboarder can cause devastating injuries to both participants. It may not seem like it, but 19mph is fast enough to produce critical injuries, especially without a helmet. The motor of an e-scooter will only permit a certain speed, but anything going down a steep grade can easily pick up speed by at least ten mph.
E-Scooter Collisions at Intersections
Intersections are a hazard for e-scooter riders who will ignore stop signs or red lights because they are small and can maneuver between cars. The problem arises when a motorist does not see or hear them, and an accident happens. Also, motorists need to acknowledge e-scooters as a legitimate form of transportation and give them the right of way.
Abandoned E-Scooters Causing Falls
Some e-scooter riders leave them on the sidewalk instead of returning them to the charging stations. Doorways, mall entrances, and parking lots are familiar places they are abandoned. This hazard can lead to a pedestrian or another person walking on a property to trip and fall over them and suffering an injury.
Usual Injuries Resulting From E-Scooter Accidents
Any injury you can imagine occurring on a bicycle or motorcycle can also occur on an e-scooter. When a rider falls forward, they use their hands to break their fall, causing fractures to the clavicle, ribs, hand, wrist, elbow, forearm, or fingers. If they are not wearing a helmet, they could suffer a concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury that could lead to blood clots on the brain, memory loss, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, a coma. Broken cervical vertebrae could cause partial or total permanent paralysis. If the accident is with a vehicle, fractures to the lower extremities are more prevalent. Fractures to the legs, hips, knees, ankles, and feet can be caused when a car strikes someone.
Serious accidents can cause a compound (exposed) fracture or a commuted fracture (the bone shatters). Internal injuries are also possible. A pneumothorax, ruptured spleen, lacerated liver, crushed kidneys, or other internal trauma can cause the rider to bleed out internally. Facial cuts and fractures could require reconstructive surgery and severe scarring.
What to Do If You Get Hurt in an E-Scooter Accident in NJ
Accidents can be scary. One minute everything is excellent, and the next minute it isn’t. It’s hard to know what to do in these situations. If you have been in an e-scooter accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may feel fine just after the accident, but there are times when symptoms don’t show up until a day or more after the accident has occurred. You will also want to get the contact information from any witnesses and take pictures of the crash site. If your injuries prevent you from doing so, you may have a friend or relative come to the accident site and help you. It is essential to get information from anyone involved in the accident, whether or not you believe they were at fault. Ensure the police thoroughly account for the accident in their reports because that information could be used later by your attorney when seeking compensation for your injuries.
Filing a Claim for Compensation after a Motorized Scooter Accident in New Jersey
If someone else caused the e-scooter accident resulting in your injuries in New Jersey, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. If you were injured in an e-scooter accident, your lawsuit may be filed against the person who caused the accident or another liable party, such as the manufacturer if the scooter was defective. This can help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses resulting from the crash. You can also claim damages from potential future medical bills and property damage. The most important thing you can do is to speak with an experienced e-scooter injury attorney as soon as possible. A personal injury case must be filed within two years of the accident date, so it would behoove you to begin the process right away.
Get Trusted Counsel from our Asbury Park E-Scooter Injury Attorneys
You might be eligible for monetary compensation if you weren’t at fault or partially at fault for an e-scooter accident in New Jersey. However, successfully recovering the compensation you need requires experience investigating and proving accident claims. We know how serious this is to you. Our injury lawyers will listen to your unique needs and create a plan of action. We will aggressively negotiate with any insurance company, but we are prepared to litigate your case if necessary in Spring Lake, Sea Bright, Colts Neck, Freehold, Deal, Point Pleasant, Sea Girt, and other Ocean and Monmouth County areas. We will not be intimidated and will fight to ensure your right to compensation is acknowledged.
Call us at (732) 303-7857 to speak with a lawyer about your motorized scooter accident in a free consultation.
