Tallahassee Scooter Accident Lawyer

Electric scooters have become a popular mode of transportation in Tallahassee. The compact size and ease of use make e-scooters an attractive alternative to cars, allowing riders to zip through traffic and reach their destinations quickly.

The problem is that Tallahassee’s infrastructure, primarily designed for cars, is not suited to accommodate the sudden increase in micro-mobility devices like scooters. As a result, scooter accidents have become a growing concern in the city.

If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident in Tallahassee, you have the right to seek compensation from the negligent party that caused the accident. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced Tallahassee scooter accident attorney who can handle your claim and help you get the financial compensation you need.

Call 1-800-Injured today at 888-530-7475 to get access to a network of skilled Tallahassee scooter accident lawyers.

Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents in Tallahassee, FL

In Tallahassee, motorized scooter accidents may occur due to a combination of factors including rider behavior, environmental factors, and interactions with other vehicles.

Negligence of Motorists

Distracted Driving: Distracted drivers often fail to pay attention to their surroundings and other road users – particularly scooter riders and bicyclists – which can increase the risk of collisions significantly.  

Failure to Yield: Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield to e-scooter riders at intersections, crosswalks, or when merging.

Speeding: Excessive speed can reduce a driver’s ability to react in time to avoid hitting a scooter rider.

Unsafe Lane Changes: Abrupt or unsignaled lane changes by drivers can catch scooter riders off guard, causing accidents.

Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can affect a driver’s balance and coordination and reaction time and impair their judgment, which can increase the risk of accidents.

Environmental Conditions

Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris can cause e-scooters to lose balance and crash.

Weather Conditions: Rain can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Inadequate Lighting: Riding in poorly lit areas at night can make it difficult for both scooter riders and drivers to see each other.

Mechanical Failures

Malfunctions: Faulty brakes, a sticky throttle, faulty wiring, and other structural and mechanical defects in e-scooters can increase the risk of accidents significantly.

Lack of Maintenance: Rental e-scooters that are not properly maintained can develop issues that contribute to accidents.

Pedestrian and Rider Interactions

Sudden Stops: Pedestrians crossing the street or stopping suddenly can cause scooter riders to swerve and crash.

Florida’s Serious Injury Threshold Affects Your Scooter Accident Claim

Under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, it is mandatory for all drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. In the event of a scooter accident, you can immediately get the medical care you need – paid for by your PIP insurance – without having to prove fault or liability.

You can step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation from the at-fault party only if your injuries meet the threshold for serious injuries – as defined under Section 627.737 of the Florida Statutes. This can include:

• Significant and Permanent Loss of an Important Bodily Function: It refers to injuries that result in a substantial and permanent impairment of a key bodily function.
• Permanent Injury within a Reasonable Degree of Medical Probability: It refers to injuries that are medically determined to be permanent.
• Significant and Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement: It refers to injuries that result in extensive scarring or disfigurement.
• Fatal Injuries: It refers to injuries that result in the victim’s death.

Common examples of injuries that meet the aforementioned threshold include injuries that result in the loss of limb function or sensory function, injuries that result in permanent damage to internal organs, second and third-degree burns, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries (traumatic brain injury in particular).

Potential Liable Parties in Scooter Accidents in Tallahassee, FL

Your Tallahassee e-scooter accident attorney will identify the at-fault parties and establish their liability to claim compensation on your behalf. Liable parties may include:

Negligent Motorists: If the accident was caused by a motor vehicle driver’s negligent or reckless behavior (distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield, or driving under the influence), they can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages.

Employers: If the negligent driver in question was performing job-related duties at the time of the accident, their employer can be held vicariously liable for the resulting damages.

E-Scooter Rental Companies: If the scooter involved in the accident malfunctions due to poor maintenance, the scooter rental company can be held liable for the accident.

E-Scooter Manufacturers: If the accident was caused by a design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer of the e-scooter can be held liable under product liability laws.

Pedestrians: Pedestrians can be held liable if their actions (stepping into the path of the e-scooter without warning or behaving unpredictably) caused or contributed to the accident.

Government Entities: Government entities responsible for maintaining roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks can be held liable if the accident was caused by poor road conditions or lack of proper signage.

Property Owners: If an accident occurred on private property due to hazardous conditions that the property owner knew or should have known about, the property owner can be held liable.

Can Riding an E-Scooter without a Helmet Affect Your Scooter Accident Claim in Tallahassee?

In Tallahassee, FL, the laws regarding helmet use for scooter riders are relatively lenient. Scooter riders are not explicitly required by law to wear helmets, except for riders under the age of 16. What it means is that your failure to wear a helmet will not affect your right to file a claim and seek compensation from the at-fault party in any way.

At the same time, Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence system, under which your compensation can be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for your injuries.

If your failure to wear a helmet did not directly contribute to your injuries, your right to recover full and fair compensation for your injuries is unlikely to be affected in any way. For example, if you were struck by a negligent driver and suffered injuries to your legs, your failure to wear a helmet might not be considered an influential factor in your claim, since it did not cause or contribute to your injuries in any manner.

On the other hand, if you suffered injuries to your head, the at-fault party’s insurance company might argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries. This argument could potentially reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The court will assess the extent to which not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries and adjust the compensation accordingly.

It is important to note that the insurance company might try to blame you for not wearing a helmet even if your injuries had nothing to do with it. It is why you should work with an experienced Tallahassee scooter accident lawyer who can effectively argue your case, demonstrate that the primary cause of the accident was the other party’s negligence, and make sure that your failure to wear a helmet does not significantly affect your right to recover compensation.

Why Strong Legal Representation is Important in a Tallahassee Scooter Accident Claim

Insurance companies generally classify scooters as high-risk vehicles, similar to motorcycles, due to their smaller size and vulnerability in traffic. More importantly, scooter riders are sometimes stereotyped as reckless individuals who engage in risky behavior like weaving through traffic and riding on sidewalks. This negative image can significantly affect your chances of getting fair compensation after a scooter accident.

The insurance company might try to blame you for the accident by alleging that your negligence or recklessness contributed to the accident. Depending on the circumstances, they might even try to blame you entirely for the accident, just so they can get away with paying you nothing.

This is why it is critically important for you to have a skilled and experienced Tallahassee scooter accident lawyer on your side. The lawyer can gather comprehensive evidence to establish the facts of the accident, challenge the insurance company’s biases, counter their attempts to undervalue your claim or deny liability altogether, and fight hard to recover the compensation you are owed.

Factors That Affect the Damages You Can Recover in a Tallahassee Scooter Accident Claim

Severity of Injuries

Extent of Medical Treatment: The more extensive your medical treatment is, the higher the potential compensation is likely to be. This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical needs.

Permanent Disability or Impairment: Injuries from moped accidents resulting in permanent disability or long-term impairment generally lead to higher compensation due to the lasting impact on your life.

Pain and Suffering: Severe injuries that cause significant physical pain and emotional distress can increase non-economic damages, which are subjective and vary based on the injury’s impact on your quality of life.

Medical Expenses

Current Medical Bills: All medical expenses related to the accident including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and treatment costs will be taken into account to calculate the amount of compensation.

Future Medical Costs: If ongoing medical treatment is required for your scooter injuries, the estimated future medical expenses will also be included in the compensation.

Loss of Earning Capacity

If your injuries significantly affect your current and long-term earning potential, this financial loss will be factored into the compensation in accordance with the state’s personal injury law.

Liability and Negligence

If the at-fault party’s liability is clear and indisputable, it can simplify the claims process and potentially lead to higher compensation. If you are found partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced accordingly.

Injured in an Electric Scooter Accident? Get Experienced Tallahassee Scooter Accident Lawyers on Your Side

After a scooter accident, getting the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and get your life back on track can be a challenge. The insurance company might use unfair tactics to reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay. In the absence of robust legal representation, you could be forced to accept a settlement that does not compensate you adequately for your injuries and losses.

1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that connects injured victims with personal injury attorneys. The network includes lawyers who can provide you with the legal assistance and guidance you need to get a fair settlement for your injuries.

With an experienced Tallahassee injury lawyer representing you, you can focus on your recovery with the assurance that your legal rights and interests are being protected. Call 1-800-Injured today at 888-530-7475 or contact us online to connect with a Tallahassee moped accident lawyer.