Electric scooter companies are now commonplace in major cities. Riders can rent the scooters by the minute and drop them off anywhere when they’re finished. The scooters are a convenient, fun, and affordable way to get around. However, as with any new technology, there are bound to be some accidents. If you’ve been injured in a Lyft scooter accident, you may wonder about your legal options.
Lyft scooter accidents can be complicated. Multiple parties may be involved, including the scooter company, the city, and the rider. It’s important to speak with an experienced Lyft scooter accident lawyer in Washington DC to clearly understand your rights and options.
At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our team of experienced e-scooter injury lawyers has represented many clients who have been injured in Lyft scooter accidents. We know the ins and outs of these types of cases and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Do Lyft Scooters Work?
Lyft scooters are electric scooters that can be rented by the minute through the Lyft app. Riders must be 18 years or older and have a valid driver’s license to rent a scooter. To start a ride, riders must scan the QR code on the handlebars to unlock the scooter. Once unlocked, riders can begin their journey. Riders must park the scooter in a designated parking zone and lock it through the app to end the ride.
What Are The Rules Of The Road For Lyft Scooters?
Lyft scooters must be ridden on streets with a speed limit of 10 mph or less. Riders should yield to pedestrians, use bike lanes when available, and ride in the direction of traffic. Other rules and laws include:
- Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs would result in a $150 fine.
- E-scooter users may not ride on sidewalks in the Central Business District, which covers the U.S. Capitol grounds and the area from the National Mall to Massachusetts Avenue.
- Users may ride on sidewalks outside of the Central Business District, including bike lanes and roads with low-speed limits.
- Riders must opt for protected bike lanes if both available and safe for e-scooters.
- Riders must not operate an e-scooter with a passenger or any package that prevents users from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
- E-scooters are considered personal mobility devices, which means users are not required to carry insurance.
How Are Lyft Scooters Dangerous?
As convenient and fun as electric scooters are, they pose several risks to riders, pedestrians, and motorists. Because they are often driven on busy streets with cars, this increases the chances of an accident. Lyft scooters are also commonly not driven by experienced scooter riders. This means that they may not know how to avoid obstacles or handle the scooter properly in traffic.
Causes of Lyft Electric Scooter Accidents
There are many causes of Lyft scooter accidents. Some of the most common include:
- Speeding – Although D.C. law prohibits scooter riders from traveling over ten mph, Lyft scooters travel at speeds up to 15 mph. Riders who go too fast may lose control of their scooter or collide with another object.
- Reckless Driving – Riders who do not follow the rules of the road are more likely to cause an accident.
- Obstacles in the Road – Riders may collide with obstacles such as potholes, debris, or parked cars.
- Poorly Maintained Scooters – If a scooter is not properly maintained, it may malfunction and cause an accident.
- Collision with a Motor Vehicle is the most common type of accident and can occur when a driver does not see the scooter or fails to yield the right of way.
- Collision With a Pedestrian – This can happen when a scooter rider is not paying attention and collides with a pedestrian.
The Most Common Type of Lyft Scooter Injuries
Because scooters offer no protection from the road and other vehicles, motorized scooter riders often suffer serious injuries in an accident. The most common type of Lyft scooter accident injuries are:
- Head Injuries – Head injuries can range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck Injuries – Neck injuries can include whiplash or other soft tissue damage.
- Broken Bones – Riders may break their arm, leg, or other bones in a collision.
- Sprains and Strains – Sprains and strains can occur when riders fall off their scooter or collide with another object.
What Should I Do If I Have Been In A Lyft Scooter Accident?
If you have been in a Lyft scooter accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should also collect evidence from the accident scene, such as photos or videos. If there were witnesses, you should get their contact information. Once you have gathered this evidence, you should contact a Lyft scooter accident lawyer in Washington DC to discuss your case.
Who Is Liable For A Lyft Scooter Accident?
Liability for a Lyft scooter accident can depend on several factors. If the negligence of another party caused the accident, then that party may be held liable. For example, if a driver hits a scooter rider who obeys the rules of the road, the driver would likely be held responsible. If the accident was caused by a defective scooter, the company that manufactured the scooter may be held liable.
Safety Tips for Lyft Electric Scooter Riders
There are a few safety tips that every electric scooter rider should follow:
- Follow the Rules of the Road – Riders should obey all traffic laws, including speed limits and stop signs.
- Use caution when passing pedestrians – Riders should give pedestrians the right of way and caution when passing them.
- Be aware of your surroundings – Riders should be aware of obstacles on the road and other traffic.
- Do not ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol – Riding while intoxicated increases the risk of an accident.
By following these safety tips, riders can help reduce their risk of being in an accident.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer After an Electric Scooter Accident?
You may be entitled to compensation if you have been in a Lyft scooter accident. A lawyer can help you investigate the cause of the accident and gather evidence to support your claim. A lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and fight for the maximum amount of compensation possible.
How We Can Help You
The Washington, D.C. accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to an e-scooter accident, gathering evidence to establish negligence and other types of liability.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has obtained more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Compensation for a Lyft Scooter Accident
The compensation you may be entitled to receive after a Lyft scooter accident can vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the accident. You may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical Expenses – You may be able to recover the cost of your medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages – If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover the wages you have lost.
- Pain and Suffering – You may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of your injuries.
- Other Losses – You may also be able to recover other losses, such as the cost of property damage.
We Get You the Compensation You Deserve
For more than 50 years, the Washington DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements:
- $3.5 million for a man who suffered a brain injury when a District of Columbia police officer opened his door into traffic and “doored” him.
- $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision.
- $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury due to a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product.
- $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
- $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
- $600,000 verdict obtained against the United States Postal Service due to the negligence of one of its drivers, who pulled out from a stop sign in front of our client’s motorcycle.
See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.
Filing an E-Scooter Accident Claim in Washington DC
If you or a family member has been injured in an e-scooter accident, it is important to take action as soon as possible. There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims in Washington, D.C. If you miss the deadline, you may be unable to recover any compensation for your injuries.
The first step in taking legal action is to contact a Lyft scooter accident lawyer in Washington, D.C., to discuss your case and learn about your legal options. The experienced attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. can help you understand the process of filing an injury claim and guide you through every step of the process.
What Are The Time Limits For Filing A Lyft Scooter Accident Claim?
The time limit for filing a scooter accident claim in Washington, D.C., is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means that if you do not file your lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident, you will most likely be barred from recovering any compensation.
However, there are different deadlines for different causes of action, such as for wrongful death claims (which have a two-year statute of limitations in Washington, DC). In addition, some claims have certain notice requirements which are much shorter. You should contact an experienced accident lawyer to discuss the deadlines that apply to your case as soon as possible.
Factors That May Impact Your Case
The amount of compensation you may be able to recover after a Lyft scooter accident can vary depending on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The speed at which the scooter was traveling
- Whether the driver who hit you was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
- Whether the driver who hit you was speeding or driving recklessly
- Whether the driver who hit you was distracted at the time of the accident
- The amount of insurance coverage the driver has
- Whether you contributed to the accident in any way
Washington, D.C. Vulnerable User Recovery Act of 2020
In 2020, the Washington DC Vulnerable User Recovery Act of 2020 went into effect. The law protects vulnerable users of the road, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders, by holding drivers who injure them accountable. Under the law, vulnerable users can recover 100% of their damages if they are not more than 50% at fault for the accident.
Contact a D.C. E-Scooter Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.
