Were you injured in an electric scooter accident?

Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, are a popular mode of transportation in cities around the country, including Nashville, because they offer a convenient and efficient way to get around. Their rise in usage has also led to increased accidents involving these scooters.

If you suffered injuries from an electric scooter accident, whether you were riding the scooter or were injured by someone who was, you can seek compensation through a personal injury claim.

Our Nashville electric scooter accident lawyers will review your case and help you understand your legal options.

Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC

Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents

Electric scooter riders face various hazards on Nashville roads and sidewalks. And these scooters are dangerous to pedestrians with whom they share the sidewalks. Common causes of electric scooter accidents include:

  • Poor Road Conditions 1

    Potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris on roads and sidewalks can pose hazards to electric scooter riders. The government is responsible for maintaining roads, and property owners are generally responsible for keeping the sidewalks in front of their property free of dangerous conditions.

  • Negligent Motorists 2

    When car and truck drivers ignore their surroundings, they can injure electric scooter riders crossing or sharing the road with them. A common type of accident involving cars is when a driver doesn’t check for incoming scooters before making a turn.

  • Defective Scooters 3

    In some cases, the electric scooters themselves cause injury to their riders. Defective or poorly maintained scooters may not have working brakes or result in riders losing control.

  • Negligent Riders 4

    On the other side, negligent electric scooter riders may crash into and injure pedestrians. This type of accident is more likely to occur if alcohol is involved. Tennessee DUI laws apply to electric scooters.

Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC

Common Electric Scooter Accident Injuries

Electric scooter accidents can result in severe injuries for riders and pedestrians alike. Some of the most common injuries include:

Fractured and Broken Bones

Fractured and Broken Bones

Whether you were the rider of an electric scooter or you were a pedestrian struck by one, you may suffer fractures and broken bones when hitting the ground. In particular, hand, wrist, and forearm fractures are standard since we reflexively reach out to break our fall.
Head Injuries

Head Injuries

Since many electric scooter riders rent their scooters, they often don’t wear helmets. This can lead to more severe head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A TBI can result in lifelong impairment that requires full-time care.
Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

A fall can sometimes result in spinal cord injuries, resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis. Even temporary paralysis will require months of physical therapy, and you may still not regain full mobility.
Lacerations and Abrasions

Lacerations and Abrasions

Electric scooter accidents can result in laceration and abrasion injuries from being struck by vehicles, the scooter, or the pavement.
Internal Organ Injuries

Internal Organ Injuries

Internal organ injuries often result from blunt force trauma. These injuries can be challenging to identify immediately after an accident, as you may not begin feeling and seeing symptoms until hours or days later.

Contact a Nashville Electric Scooter Accident Attorney

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615-676-7060
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC

Determining Liability in an Electric Scooter Accident

To determine liability in an electric scooter accident, you first need to determine how the accident occurred. Was it due to someone’s direct actions, a defective product, or a dangerous property condition? Parties that may be liable for your injuries include:

  • Motorists 1

    If a driver strikes you while riding on an electric scooter, they may be at fault for ignoring their surroundings or failing to follow the rules of the road. A driver who merges into you or runs a stop sign and hits you, for example, would be at fault for your injuries.

  • Scooter Rental Companies 2

    If the scooter was defective due to poor maintenance, the rental company may be liable for your injuries. An example would be if the company allowed customers to rent an old scooter with known defective brakes.

  • Scooter Manufacturers 3

    Scooters with defects resulting from their design or manufacturing can expose the manufacturers to liability. If a particular kind of scooter has a throttle that gets stuck, for example, it could lead to injuries when riders cannot stop or slow down.

  • Government Entities 4

    Local and state governments maintain public roads. If a road hazard caused your injuries, the government could be liable. There are additional obstacles you’ll have to overcome when attempting to sue the government, however.

  • Property Owners 5

    The property owner could be liable if your injury occurred on private property or the sidewalk in front of private property. For this to be the case, a dangerous condition on the property must result in your injury, such as objects blocking the right of way.

  • Scooter Riders 6

    Pedestrians struck by electric scooter riders may sue the at-fault rider if the rider was negligent in using the scooter, such as not following traffic signs and signals or speeding through pedestrian traffic.

Evidence Used in Electric Scooter Accident Cases

When building your case, your attorney will gather various types of evidence, including:

  • Video of the Accident – If nearby traffic or security cameras caught your accident, your attorney can request the government or property owner turn them over.

  • Photographs of the Scene – After an accident, you should take photographs of the scene and your injuries. These photographs are significant evidence of the incident’s direct aftermath.

  • Eyewitness Testimony – If there are eyewitnesses, you should gather their contact information so your attorney can contact them for statements.

  • Expert Testimony – Sometimes, your attorney will hire expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. They may be medical experts, financial advisors, or even mechanical engineers.

  • Medical Records and Bills – Your medical records serve as a paper trail of your injuries and treatments, and your medical bills prove the cost of those treatments.

  • Financial Statements – Your financial statements can show the impact of your injuries on your income.

Compensation Available in Personal Injury Claims

After an electric scooter accident, you can seek compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. The former have specific dollar values attached to them, while the latter do not. Common damages sought in Tennessee personal injury claims include:

  • Medical Expenses – Past and future surgeries, hospital stays, medical treatments, medical devices, and prescription medications.

  • Lost Wages – Past and future lost wages and benefits, such as health insurance and retirement packages.

  • Household Services – Services you can no longer perform around the house that you now need to pay someone else to perform.

  • Home Modifications – Necessary modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries.

  • Pain and Suffering – The physical pain and suffering you experience as a result of your injuries.

  • Emotional Distress – Anxiety, PTSD, and other psychological trauma experienced because of your injuries.

  • Loss of Consortium – The loss of a romantic relationship with your spouse due to your injuries.

Unfortunately, in most cases, Tennessee caps the compensation for non-economic damages at $750,000. If your injuries are “severe,” then the cap may increase to $1,000,000. And if the at-fault party intended to injure you, such as if a motorist swerved to hit you, then there is no cap.

Additionally, Tennessee uses a form of comparative negligence to reduce awarded compensation by the percentage of the injured party’s fault. For this reason, it’s essential that you speak to your attorney before making a statement about the incident to anyone else. The opposing insurance company or attorneys will try to use your words against you.

Tennessee Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Injured parties in Tennessee must file their personal injury claim within the one-year statute of limitations on such claims. Please file your claim within this period to avoid the courts automatically throwing it out.

Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC

How an Attorney Can Help

Hiring an attorney can benefit your case in multiple ways, including:

  • Case Evaluation 1

    During your initial consultation, your attorney will evaluate your case to identify its strengths, weaknesses, and potential worth.

  • Case Investigation 2

    After the evaluation, your attorney will investigate your case and gather supporting evidence.

  • Settlement Negotiation 3

    Your attorney will represent you and your best interests in settlement negotiations with the other party’s attorneys, making sure you only accept a fair compensation offer.

  • Litigation 4

    If the parties can’t settle, your attorney will present their entire case before a judge and jury and seek the maximum compensation available.

  • Legal Advice 5

    Throughout your case, your attorney will provide legal advice so you can make informed decisions.

Contact a Tennessee Electric Scooter Accident Attorney

If you suffered an injury in an electric scooter accident, you can seek compensation through a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Contact Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC online or at 615-676-7060 for a free consultation.

One of our experienced Nashville personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. Our team is dedicated to assisting you in seeking the maximum compensation available under Tennessee law.