Types of Scooters in New Orleans
Two kinds of scooters are commonly seen in New Orleans. First, there are electric scooters (or e-scooters)—basically, revved-up versions of the kids’ toy powered by an electric, rechargeable motor. The city currently does not allow them—at least not those provided by scooter-sharing companies like Lime and Bird that let people rent them, ride them to their destinations, and abandon them for someone else to use. That could soon change, however, as New Orleans searches for a framework that would safely allow their use. Second, you have the mini motorcycle-esque vehicles some manufacturers call a “scooter” or “motor scooter,” but we typically refer to them as “mopeds” or a “Vespas.” Another vehicle is coming soon to the streets of New Orleans—the city’s Blue Bikes rental program will offer “pedal-assist” bicycles. You can power these bikes with pedals like standard bikes, but they also have electric motors that can boost you to almost 30 miles per hour. Different kinds of vehicles, one common name, and a whole lot of problems: Accidents involving scooters have begun cropping up in New Orleans, putting the lives of riders, pedestrians, and even other motorists at risk. Let’s take a closer look at the dangers they bring along.Scooter Dangers
Scooters provide us with a cheap way to get around town. Small and agile, their riders can zip into, out of, and around traffic. The problem is, while efficiency and quickness can make it easy to navigate the Vieux Carre and other districts, weaving scooters create serious risks. For example:Sidewalk Riding
Sidewalk riding represents one danger of using an electric scooter, simply because scooters move faster than people walk. A scooter zooming through a crowded sidewalk can disrupt foot traffic and result in mayhem. Pedestrians don’t expect to share a sidewalk with a scooter rider. Worse, they don’t know how to react to an approaching scooter, particularly a zig-zagging one. So what happens? Scooter-pedestrian collisions: over 40,000 of them in a four year period nationwide, according to USA Today. Not all sidewalk scooter-related injuries involve pedestrians, either. Objects and obstacles on the sidewalk can prompt a scooter rider to lose control and take a tumble. These spills could even push them out into traffic.Speed
Electric scooters travel up to 15 miles per hour - that’s faster than a world-champion marathon runner. Motor scooters (a.k.a. mopeds) can reach double that speed. The average walker only makes it up to about three or four miles per hour, and that’s if they’re really rushing. Some people out for a stroll in the Big Easy might barely cover a mile in an hour. So, while 15 miles per hour doesn’t seem that fast, accidents at that speed still cause serious injuries. Think about the last time you walked into some furniture or bumped into a counter on accident and how badly that hurt. Injuries on a scooter can feel like running into that counter at a dead sprint.Car Accidents
Motor scooters share the road with cars and trucks. This puts scooter riders in the same danger as motorcyclists… and motor scooter riders often have far less experience than their motorcyclist counterparts. They may also have less protective gear. The result: more crashes and lots of injuries. Plus, drivers don’t expect to see scooters on the road, and thus won’t be on the lookout for one. This can result in a scooter related car accident or truck accident.Abandoned Scooters
“Scooter share” companies like Bird and Lime have popped up around the country, offering self-service e-scooters for rent in major cities. Part of the allure of electric scooter rentals is that you don’t have to return the scooter to a specific location as you would with a rental car. Instead, you simply leave the scooter on the sidewalk and walk away. While this is convenient for some, offering scooters for rent without a centralized location comes with a downside: people leave the darn things EVERYWHERE. They pile up. They litter the sidewalk. Pedestrians trip over them. People get hurt.Scooter Injuries
According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of all scooter injuries involve head trauma. Head injuries can cause life altering conditions for the victim and the victim’s family. Scooter injuries often include:- Cuts
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
Scooter Accidents
New Orleans scooter accidents happen in many ways, to many people. Riders, pedestrians, and even vehicle occupants can suffer injuries resulting from a scooter accident. Common reasons for scooter accidents include:- Speeding
- Crowded sidewalks
- Too many people on one scooter
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Brake failure
- Flat tire
- Loss of battery
- Stuck throttle
- Potholes
- Slippery surfaces
- Scooters parked inappropriately
Determining Liability
To get compensation for an injury you suffered in a New Orleans scooter accident, your lawyer will first need to prove someone else caused the collision. Who has liability depends on the facts and circumstances of the accident. If someone riding a scooter struck you as you walked on a New Orleans sidewalk, then the rider may have legal liability for your injuries. If you got hurt by a car while riding a scooter, then the driver who crashed into you might face liability. Others could have liability, too, including:- Scooter rental company
- Scooter manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- Maintenance company or technician
Scooter Safety Tips
We see scooters more frequently every day on New Orleans streets and sidewalks. Knowing how to stay safe is important.- Wear a helmet. We know they’re not exactly fashionable, but helmets could save your life. Don’t leave your skull vulnerable. Brain injuries from a scooter accident can be devastating.
- Use caution. Riding a scooter exposes your body to a potentially severe impact. Even in low-speed or otherwise minor accidents, you could sustain life-threatening injuries. By staying alert and aware of your surroundings and exercising caution, you can reduce the chances of your scooter ride ending with you on your way to the emergency room.
- Understand the laws, because they’re changing. Local and state governments scramble to keep up with the rising popularity of scooters. Confusion is created due to uncertain rules or laws about where you can and cannot ride, how old you have to be, and what streets and sidewalks you can navigate. If you have questions about the law or need to understand how to move forward after your scooter accident injury, speak with a seasoned Louisiana scooter accident lawyer.
Damages to Seek
You may have the legal right to significant amounts of compensation. Victims of a New Orleans scooter accident may have the right to seek payment for:- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Long hospital stays
- Multiple surgeries
- Many doctor visits
- Prescription drug costs
- Mobility aids
- Rehab facilities
- In home rehabilitation
Sly Insurance Company Tactics
Hiring a lawyer also protects you from the tricksters of the accident world: insurance companies. Their goal is to keep money in their own pockets – and out of yours. Meanwhile, a lawyer’s goal is to maximize your financial recovery and take the legal burden off your shoulders. In other words, our job is to protect you from getting played by an insurance company. Soon after your scooter accident, you may get a phone call from the liability insurance company representing the person or business at fault in your accident. They might offer you a quick settlement. You might think getting a lawyer involved will make things too complicated or costly, but beware: liability insurance companies don’t care about you. Don’t settle too fast and let them off the hook for a potentially much-larger settlement down the road. You might not know how much you’re rightfully owed, but it’s a lawyer’s job to. Hand over negotiations with any insurance company to a lawyer. Their only goal is to ensure you get the full value of your claim, and they know how to stand up to insurance companies. Let them prove why you should receive every penny of compensation you deserve for your New Orleans scooter accident injuries. Worried about the cost of a lawyer? Don’t be. Many experienced New Orleans scooter accident injury attorneys represent clients on a “contingent fee” basis. That means they only get paid if you get paid. Plus, an initial consultation with a lawyer is always free-of-charge and 100% confidential. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.Contact Our New Orleans Scooter Accident Lawyers Today
The right New Orleans scooter accident lawyer will work tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for a serious injury. When you face injuries that may keep you out of work or change your life forever, don’t sit idly by! Speak with a lawyer to understand your options and plan your next moves. Don’t delay! Waiting to contact an experienced attorney can put your legal rights at risk. With every day that passes, evidence gets harder to collect, injuries become more difficult to prove, and insurance companies resist paying full compensation. That’s why you need the legal team of Trust Guss Injury Lawyers. We are nationally recognized for protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If you were injured in a New Orleans scooter accident, call our office right now for a free consultation! Because we take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a dime unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us by CLICKING HERE. Stewart J Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, New Orlean Office400 Poydras Tower
Poydras St Suite 1975
New Orleans, LA 70130
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