Were you or a loved one injured in an accident involving an electric scooter in Columbus, GA? You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. An experienced Columbus electric scooter accident lawyer at the Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm can help you fight for the maximum compensation available.
Our personal injury attorney has 26 years of experience in personal injury law. We know how to get results when our injured clients need help the most. To date, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts in cases like Columbus car accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, Columbus Uber accidents, motorcycle accidents, and many more.
The time after an accident can be critical to your future. Contact our law offices at (706) 940-4030 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about the benefits of legal representation today.
How Can the Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Help if I Was Injured in an Electric Scooter Accident in Columbus?
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm is an award-winning firm with a proven track record of success. We have over two decades of experience providing the highest quality legal representation to accident victims and their families. We’ve earned an AV-Preeminent rating from the Martindale-Hubbell lawyer rating service for our dedication and success.
Personal injury claims are rarely simple. Insurance companies often use scare tactics and twist the facts to convince victims to accept less than they deserve. You deserve to have an experienced Columbus personal injury attorney fighting for you.
When you hire our legal team, you’ll benefit from:
- A complete investigation into the accident
- Access to experts and specialists who can strengthen your case
- A detailed review of your losses, so you understand how much your case is worth
- A strong defense when the insurance company tries to blame you
- A skilled advocate who will handle all insurance negotiations and communications for you
We also work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no fee unless we win compensation for you. Call our Columbus personal injury lawyer for a free consultation today.
How Serious Are Electric Scooter Accidents?
As electric scooters become more popular in Columbus and across Georgia, the rate of accidents and injuries has steadily increased.
In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning about the increase in electric scooter injuries across the U.S. Emergency room visits related to electric scooter accident injuries have increased from 7,700 in 2017 to at least 25,400 by 2020.
According to the CDC, electric scooter accidents cause about 20 injuries for every 100,000 trips. About half of those victims suffered head injuries.
What Are Electric Scooters?
An electric scooter is a two-wheeled scooter operated by a battery. E-scooters are similar to electric bicycles, except the scooter rider stands up and doesn’t have to pedal to operate the vehicle.
Companies like Bird, Lime and Spin frequently set up shop to rent their e-scooters. Many cities have already implemented shared e-scooter stations, where users can rent an e-scooter using an app and return it to locations across town.
What Causes Most Electric Scooter Accidents in Columbus, Georgia?
Electric scooter accidents can happen in many different ways. Most accidents can be attributed to negligent electric scooter operators and negligent drivers.
When it comes to human error, some of the most common causes of e-scooter accidents include:
- Inexperienced e-scooter riders
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Lack of dedicated infrastructure for e-scooter riders
- Riding the scooter in impermissible places
- Parking e-scooters in dangerous locations where pedestrians might trip and fall
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Riding double on the electric scooter
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes and crumbling pavement
- Limited visibility at night
Some e-scooter accidents are caused by factors related to the electric scooter itself, including:
- Brake malfunction or brake failure
- Problems with the steering mechanism
- Problems with the e-scooter’s acceleration
- Faulty tires
- Defective batteries
- Failure to maintain the e-scooter in safe condition
A few years back, Lime recalled about 2,000 of its e-scooters due to battery defects that caused them to burst into flames. While not all defects are so dramatic, defective scooter parts can cause serious accidents.
Who Can Be Liable for My E-Scooter Injuries in Georgia?
Anyone who contributed to the cause of your accident may be responsible for paying your damages in Georgia.
In e-scooter accident cases, liable parties may include:
- A negligent driver in a motor vehicle accident
- Negligent e-scooter operators
- A scooter rental company that failed to maintain the e-scooter in safe condition
- Scooter companies that sold defective e-scooters or defective equipment
- Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other e-scooter riders
- Employers of negligent parties
Our scooter accident lawyer in Columbus will carefully evaluate the facts. We’ll conduct our own investigation to determine why your accident happened and who was responsible. Just call our law firm today to schedule your free case review to get started.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Electric Scooter Accidents in Columbus?
The same types of damages that are available to any car accident victim are also available to electric scooter accident victims.
You can seek compensation for all of your economic damages, which are your financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Transportation to and from doctor’s visits
- In-home assistance
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You can also pursue compensation for your personal, non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are extremely rare. These damages are only awarded when there is clear evidence that the defendant acted with malice or shocking disregard for human life.
Can I Recover Damages If I Was Injured But Am Also Being Blamed for Causing an Electric Scooter Accident in Georgia?
Injured parties are often blamed for causing their own accidents. If the insurance company can assign enough blame to you, you can lose your right to compensation entirely. However, that’s not automatic.
Under Georgia law, a modified comparative negligence law applies. You can recover partial compensation if you were less than 50% responsible for your own injuries. Once your share of fault reaches 50%, you lose your right to compensation entirely.
If you hire our personal injury lawyer, we’ll work hard to minimize the amount of fault assigned to you so that you can collect full value for your case.
Our Team Will Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Electric Scooter Accident Injuries
Electric scooters may be fun and convenient, but they’re not always safe. E-scooter riders are at an increased risk of injury even when wearing a helmet. When a motor vehicle is involved, the risk of serious injury is even higher.
Some of the most commonly reported electric scooter accident injuries include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Lacerations and contusions
- Nerve injuries
- Thoracic injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you were injured in an e-scooter accident, seek medical attention in a Columbus hospital right away. Prompt medical care is the best way to prevent an injury from getting worse. It’s also critical if you decide to file a claim for compensation at a later date.
How Do I Prove Establish Liability for My Damages After an Electric Scooter Accident in Georgia?
Like most personal injury claims, e-scooter accident cases are often based on negligence. Negligence is a legal term. It means something like “careless”.
You can recover compensation based on negligence if you can prove:
- The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care
- They breached the duty of care
- The breach was the direct and proximate cause of the accident
- You suffered damages, or injuries, as a result
E-scooter accident cases can also be based on strict liability. If the scooter manufacturer sold a defective scooter, you won’t have to prove negligence to recover compensation.
Instead, you’ll have to prove that:
- The scooter suffered from a defect
- The defect caused the accident and injury
- You were using the scooter properly or in a way that was reasonably foreseeable
Once our lawyer determines the cause of your accident, we’ll understand the legal theories involved. At that point, we’ll start investigating and gathering evidence to prove your case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Electric Scooter Accident in Georgia?
In Georgia, most personal injury victims have only two years to file a lawsuit. This rule is known as the statute of limitations. Once the two-year statute of limitations expires, you lose your right to sue for damages.
Exceptions are rare, so it’s important to take this rule seriously. Contact our Columbus electric scooter accident attorney to learn more about the deadline in your case today.
Contact a Trusted Columbus Electric Scooter Accidents Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Electric scooters have the potential to cause serious and life-changing injuries. If you were involved in an e-scooter accident, contact the Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm for assistance today. With an experienced Columbus electric scooter accident lawyer in your corner, you’re much more likely to walk away with a fair settlement.
Local Emergency Rooms Near You
- Northside Medical Center: Emergency Room – 100 Frist Ct, Columbus, GA 31909
- Midtown Medical Center West Campus Hospital – 616 19th St, Columbus, GA 31901
- Midtown Medical Center Emergency Room – 710 Center St, Columbus, GA 31901
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
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