Scooter Accident Attorneys in Columbia

Modern-day scooters are often powered by either electricity or gas, and can be an efficient mode of transportation. In Columbia, students and commuters alike use scooters every day, traveling to and from work or class. There are even smartphone-based rental services, from which you can rent an electric scooter instantaneously.

If you have been injured in a scooter accident, no matter the severity, contact a Columbia scooter accident lawyer today to have your case examined.

Alongside scooters are similar products, such as hoverboards, Segways, and other recreational transportation devices.

Scooter accident scene with a fallen white scooter on cobblestone pavement, highlighting the risks associated with scooter use in urban areas like Bishopville, South Carolina.While scooters are fun, as well as economical and eco-friendly, options for traveling around town, they come with clear risks. Many of those risks are similar to those that a motorcyclist might face on the roads. Riding a scooter does not provide the same protection as riding in cars and trucks, and means that those who are involved in accidents may suffer severe injury.

Responsible Parties Must Pay for The Injuries They Cause

As personal injury lawyers, the attorneys at Strom Law Firm believe that when another person or company is responsible for your injuries, they should be required to compensate you for all of the damage that those injuries cause.

Along with scooter popularity, scooter accidents have grown more prevalent in and around Columbia over the past decade.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury as a result of a scooter accident or a micro-mobility device accident, contact our Columbia injury lawyers today to take a look at your case.

E-Scooter Use and Rental Is Trending Upwards

What are E-Scooters?  The term Scooters does not mean what it used to.  They are no longer toys that require the user to propel themselves with a kick and a push.  Scooters today are full-fledged modes of transportation, some powered by gas motors and others by electric battery power.

As an example of the growth in popularity of e-scooters, in recent years, in college towns and big cities, we have seen the rise of app-enabled scooter rentals. To rent a scooter, one simply needs to locate an unmanned kiosk, similar to a bike rack. The renter then logs-in to an app, entering a virtual contract and renting a scooter, which is unlocked remotely. And, off you go! It seems great, right? Not when you get in an accident.

Scooter Accident and Injury Statistics

According to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention study of the scooter riding population of Austin, TX, it is estimated that 14.3 accidents occur every 100,000 trips on a scooter. Accidents can be caused by street defects, such as potholes and cracks, as well as negligent or reckless driving by the scooter rider or other drivers. According to the same CDC study, 52% of accidents occurred while operating on the streets, and 29% of scooter accidents involved first-time riders.

Injuries sustained in scooter accidents include:

Due to the lack of protection provided by scooters, accidents can often be serious and can result in extensive medical expenses and lost wages.

Who Can Be At Fault for Scooter Accidents and Resulting Injuries?

When involved in a scooter accident, it is important to determine who is at fault. This will depend on the facts of the incident.  Some parties that may be responsible for the accident include

Compensation for Catastrophic Scooter Accident Injuries

A scooter accident injury plaintiff may receive compensation of two types: economic and non-economic damages.

Different types of scooter accident compensation might include:

A jury may also award a plaintiff punitive damages, which punish the behavior of a defendant that caused an injury through reckless or intentional behavior, and act to deter future wrongdoers.

When Should I Contact A Columbia Scooter Accident Lawyer After A Scooter Accident?

You should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following your scooter accident.  Along with contacting a personal injury attorney, you should follow these steps to protect your rights:

How Long Will It Take To Be Compensated For A Columbia Scooter Accident Injury Claim?

Unfortunately, sometimes settlement or recovery following a trial can take longer than an injury victim might hope.  The length of time between filing your insurance claim and receiving compensation depends upon a variety of factors and differs from case to case:

Columbia Scooter Accident FAQ

Do you have questions after a scooter accident? Do you want to know more about your legal rights, including your right to compensation? The experienced Columbia scooter accident attorneys at Strom Law Firm LLC can help evaluate your case and give you a better idea of what you should expect from your claim. Contact us as soon after your accident as possible to ask any specific questions you might have about your right to seek compensation.

1. What type of vehicle counts as a motorized or electric scooter in Columbia?

Electric scooters have become increasingly popular as a means of transportation over the past several years. Electric scooters can offer their riders a quick ride while helping them avoid expensive cab fares or rideshare fees. Typically, electric scooters have two or three wheels and a motor under 50cc / 2 horsepower (combustion), or between 750 and 1500 watts (electric). They usually cannot go faster than 30 miles per hour and hold only a single passenger.

South Carolina does not have specific rules classifying electric scooters, so users generally must follow the same rules as mopeds on South Carolina’s streets.

2. What happens if I get into a scooter accident in Columbia without insurance?

Scooter riders, like moped riders, follow a different set of rules than motorcycle riders and other drivers in South Carolina. You do not have to carry liability insurance to operate an electric scooter, which, because of the scooter’s size and internal limit on its top speed, will not typically cause substantial damage or injury to others or their property in an accident.

Often, scooter accidents involve additional vehicles, most often passenger vehicles. Passenger vehicle drivers may fail to note the presence of a scooter and its rider in an intersection, for example, leading to substantial injuries for the scooter rider. If you get in an accident due to a passenger vehicle driver’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim for compensation through that driver’s auto liability insurance.

3. What happens with my medical bills following a Columbia Scooter Accident? ?

Following a scooter accident, especially one involving a passenger vehicle, you may have substantial injuries that require significant medical care. Medical bills can add up quickly, leaving you struggling to figure out how to manage them. Who has to pay those bills?

After a scooter accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may have grounds to file a claim, which can help you receive the compensation you need for scooter injury-related expenses. A Columbia scooter accident lawsuit usually will not require the liable party to pay your medical bills directly. Instead, the lawsuit will help you seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer for your bills and losses. You can then use those funds to cover the cost of medical bills and other expenses that may have added up following your accident. An experienced attorney from Strom Law Firm, LLC can evaluate the facts of your case and help you understand the Columbia scooter accident claim process.

4. What happens if I suffer a traumatic brain injury in a Columbia scooter accident, but I did not have a helmet on at the time of the accident? Can I still file a compensation claim?

Mopeds and motorcycle riders under the age of 21 in South Carolina are legally required to wear a helmet while riding. South Carolina law does not require riders over the age of 21 to wear a helmet while operating these types of vehicles. Your lack of a helmet does not change your right to file a claim after your scooter accident, even if you need to seek compensation for a traumatic brain injury or head and facial injuries. The attorneys at Strom Law Firm, LLC can help you understand how to deal with the particular details of your case if this is your situation.

5. How long do I have to file a claim after a Columbia scooter accident?

You have until the statute of limitations runs out to file a claim that will help you seek compensation for injuries suffered in a scooter accident. This timeframe can vary, and is one reason to consult an attorney if you are considering a claim.

6. How soon do I need to start working with an attorney after a Columbia scooter accident?

Ideally, you should get in touch with an attorney as soon after your accident as possible. It takes time to gather evidence to support a claim and the more time that has passed, the more likely it is that valuable evidence will have been deleted or lost and witnesses’ memories will fade over time.

From the early days after your accident, an attorney can help with your claim.

7. What should I do if the liable party’s insurance company offers me a settlement?

The liable driver’s insurance company may accept that their insured caused the accident and may want to settle with you quickly. Or perhaps the scooter manufacturer has multiple lawsuits pending against it because of a serious mechanical error in the scooter and wants to make sure that it deals with each claim as soon as possible. In these types of situations, the insurance company will often contact you soon after your accident to offer a settlement.

Talk to your lawyer before you accept, no matter how tempting the offer may seem. Often, insurance companies will start by issuing a settlement offer that is far less than the compensation you really deserve for your injuries.

An attorney can help you accurately estimate the compensation you really deserve for your injuries and help you decide whether a particular settlement offer reflects a fair and reasonable resolution.

8. How long will it take to settle a scooter accident claim in Columbia?

You will need to go through several important stages during your claim.

Strom Law FirmStrom Law Firm, LLC Can Help

Our experienced scooter accident attorneys are ready to help you explore your legal options for obtaining compensation and to provide answers to your questions about the process. Contact Strom Law Firm, LLC today for your free case evaluation.

Columbia Scooter Accident Lawyers for Injured Scooter Riders

Strom Law Firm is experienced in representing victims of Columbia scooter accidents and other traffic accidents. Our lawyers are ready to meet with you in person at your convenience. You can also contact us online or by phone at 803-252-4800 to schedule a time to talk with a member of our team.

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