With the popularity of riding scooters in Chicago on the rise, our Chicago electric scooter accident lawyers help accident victims seek compensation for a variety of serious Divvy, Spin, and Lime scooter injuries.
Are Electric Scooters Safe?
Electric scooters are generally considered safe, but injuries and fatalities can still happen due to automobile accidents, reckless behavior, failure to follow traffic rules, failure to use bike lanes, or malfunctions. Infrastructure issues such as a broken sidewalk or shared roadway can pose dangers.
How Did Chicago Decide to Operate an E-Scooter Program?
In 2020, Chicago ran a four-month e-scooter pilot program with Lime, Spin, and Bird scooters, deploying 10,000 devices citywide. The program focused on improving mobility, addressing operational issues, and promoting equity through parking rules and education for e-scooter riders.
What E-Scooter Companies Have Licenses to Operate in Chicago?
The Divvy bikeshare system provides scooters to rent in Chicago, along with companies awarded business licenses to operate such as Lime and Spin. The City of Chicago has rules and enforcement procedures for shared Divvy, Lime, and Spin scooter riders and operations to ensure quality service.
How Serious Is the E-Scooter Accident Problem?
A National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) study found 190,000 emergency room visits and 71 deaths from e-scooter accidents in 2019, though experts believe these numbers are underreported and expect accidents to rise as e-scooters gain popularity.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in E-Scooter Accidents?
The most common e-scooter injuries are head trauma, face and dental injuries, fractures to the upper extremities, sprains, and lacerations. Head injuries are most likely due to riders not wearing helmets, which are not required in Illinois.
When Is an E-Scooter Accident a Valid Personal Injury Claim?
You may have a valid personal injury claim for a scooter accident if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. For example, if you are hit by a car turning out of a driveway while operating the scooter in a designated bike lane, you might have a valid case. In Illinois, to recover compensation after an electric scooter accident, you must prove the driver was negligent. This involves showing they owed a duty of care, breached it, caused your injuries, and that you suffered damages.
What Can I Recover If I Was Hit by a Car While Riding a Shared E-Scooter?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the nature of your serious injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If the driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may also seek damages from your insurance company.
How Much Is My E-Scooter Injury Worth?
The settlement value of e-scooter injury cases varies greatly, depending on factors like:
- The severity of the injury
- The amount of medical expenses
- The amount of lost income
- The age of the injured party
- The likelihood of winning at trial
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in an E-Scooter Accident?
If you are injured in an e-scooter accident with a motor vehicle while riding a Lime, Spin, or Divvy scooter:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Document the accident scene and your injuries with photos.
- Obtain contact information from all involved parties and any witnesses.
- Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the police report.
- Contact an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer who can explain your legal options for recovering compensation.
How Can I Get Help for My E-Scooter Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Spin, Divvy, or Lime scooter accident, our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers are here to help.
We have extensive experience handling electric scooter injury cases, have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and can guide you through the legal process to seek the compensation you deserve.
We Offer a Free Initial Consultation
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us work tirelessly for your rights while you focus on recovering from the injuries suffered in the accident.
December 20th, 2024
(312) 223-1700