The widespread popularity of rental electric bikes (e-bikes) and scooters in Texas cities has come with an increase in accidents involving these eco-friendly vehicles. Those who rent them are not always skilled or protected, resulting in the potential for harm when sharing the streets with cars and trucks. When scooter riders are hurt by larger vehicles or other causes, it is important to identify who is liable for the crash.
Texas electric scooter accident lawyer Steve Lee is ready to listen to your story in a free case evaluation to determine the best options for your situation. If you or a loved one are facing medical bills, property damage, and emotional distress following a crash on an e-bike or scooter in Texas, contact our office to schedule a meeting today.
Struck by a Motorist While Riding an E-Scooter in Texas
Electric scooters are a source of controversy in Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Companies like Lime and Lyft that provide this service naturally want to see an increase in ridership, but community groups have written articles arguing against the dangers of allowing unchecked growth in micro-mobility. Unskilled riders on sidewalks or pedestrian areas can cause injury to others. However, the greatest risk is when e-scooters share the streets with larger vehicles.
Being struck by a motor vehicle while riding an e-scooter can result in serious injuries. When a car or truck fails to obey the speed limit or yield the right of way to a scooter rider, determining liability and who should shoulder the costs can be difficult.
Negligent drivers who roll through stop signs or fail to look for scooters and pedestrians at crosswalks must be held accountable for their careless behavior. While they may face penalties for violating traffic laws, a simple ticket and fine will not help you deal with your injuries. For that, you need a skilled electric scooter accident lawyer in Texas to manage your case.
Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents
Electric scooters can travel as fast as 15 mph, making them more suited for low-traffic areas than the streets of large cities. However, they are prevalent in many Texas metro areas, putting their riders and others at risk of injury. Because riders on these bikes and scooters are so small, they can be challenging for motorists to spot in city traffic, leading to catastrophic accidents.
Some common ways that an e-scooter rider can be hurt by a car, truck, bus, or SUV include:
- Drivers who open doors into traffic: Known as “dooring accidents,” these happen when a driver who is stopped in traffic or parallel parked opens their door into traffic without checking for oncoming e-bikes or e-scooters. Riders can slam into the opened door and fall, potentially into the path of other vehicles.
- Drivers who are distracted: Motorists who are sightseeing, looking for their destination, paying attention to a GPS, or texting on their phones are not paying full attention to the streets around them. They can easily miss seeing an e-scooter rider moving into traffic, causing a wreck.
- Drivers who disobey the law: Failing to obey traffic signals, slow down for speed bumps, or safely change lanes can cause a larger vehicle to hit an e-scooter rider from behind or in a sideswipe accident.
- Drivers taking chances in intersections: Drivers may roll through a right turn at a red light or make an illegal left turn in an intersection. This puts them at risk of colliding with an electric scooter crossing their path. Drivers who make right turns without checking for traffic in a bike lane to their right can cut off a scooter, causing it to smash into the larger vehicle.
- Drivers who are speeding: Most city streets have speed limits of 30 mph or less. A driver who exceeds these limits can easily overrun an e-bike or scooter without realizing how close they are. They may also be unable to stop in time at a red light if they are going too fast, colliding with a scooter rider.
- Drivers who are driving recklessly or aggressively: Some drivers get angry at having to share the road with bikes or scooters. They may refuse to allow a safe distance or try to “teach a lesson” to the smaller, less-protected scooter passenger.
- Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs: When under the influence, drivers may have blurred vision and decreased reaction times. Add this to the small size of an electric bike or scooter, and it means that drunk drivers are often more likely to cause terrible accidents.
- Drivers who ignore weather and road conditions: Bad weather such as ice, rain, or snow may not deter someone who wants to use a scooter or e-bike, but it means greater risk from other vehicles. Drivers who do not slow down for uneven roads or inclement weather put everyone in danger.
Negligent drivers are a menace to pedestrians and e-bike or scooter riders alike, and they may get out of their vehicle, claiming it was your fault. It is important that you do not engage with them and instead ask someone to call 911. Allowing the police to handle the situation keeps you from potentially worsening your injuries, and you can be medically evaluated by paramedics.
Do ask for their insurance and contact details, as well as the contact information of any witnesses. If possible, take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles, your injuries, and anything else that might help your case. After you get medical treatment, contact a Texas electric scooter accident lawyer right away to learn more about what to do next to protect your rights and your claim.
Serious Injuries from Electric Scooter Accidents
A recent study by the University of Texas at Austin’s Nursing School shows that an e-scooter injury can have serious repercussions beyond the suffering of the affected rider. The authors projected increases of as much as $4 million in regional health costs resulting from scooter accidents. Everyone in a metro area pays the price when drivers harm e-bike or electric scooter riders.
Addressing your personal expenses after a crash requires a personalized approach tailored to your circumstances. A skilled electric scooter accident attorney in Texas will ask questions about your crash, investigate to determine the full picture, and build the strongest case possible. They will connect you with medical specialists to assess your condition and estimate your recovery costs.
After a wreck with another vehicle, we see scooter operators experience many common injuries, such as:
- Amputations
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Head injuries that damage the eyes, nose, ears, and teeth
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
In some cases, the victim may have such severe injuries that they are permanently disabled or die from the accident. This opens the way for their family to seek compensation and justice through filing a wrongful death claim against the liable party or parties. Money does not bring back the loved one, but it can prevent a financial crisis if the victim suffers serious injuries with substantial costs, such as hospital bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to the family.
Medical Bills after a Scooter Accident in Texas
Many electric scooter riders are simply looking for a cost-efficient and fun way to get around town and do not expect to face a devastating accident. They are often severely hurt and stunned, wondering how they will recover and get back to their lives. The medical bills alone following this kind of accident can be overwhelming.
Victims have two main options for seeking compensation from the drivers at fault. They can file an injury claim against the motorist’s automotive insurance, or they may pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance companies dislike paying claims and will often argue that you are responsible. They may say your estimate of medical expenses is too high and offer too little.
Attorney Steve Lee will not let them get away with this. He knows that Texas law requires drivers to pay for the injury and damage they cause in a crash. He will negotiate fiercely with the insurance company for a fair settlement but is ready to take them to court if they do not pay what you need. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can give you a better chance of recovering all your losses, including financial compensation for your pain and suffering.
How Texas Electric Scooter Accident Attorney Steve Lee Can Help You
After a wreck, you need to focus your energy on getting better. You do not need the headache of filing insurance claims, gathering evidence, proving liability, and negotiating for the financial relief you deserve. Managing a claim can be challenging on the best of days, but it is exhausting and overwhelming when you are hurt.
Instead of facing this task alone, turn to the services of our law firm. We offer over 40 years of experience in a professional team led by accomplished attorney Steve Lee. After your free consultation, we can begin putting together your case by handling these tasks for you:
- We can collect your medical records and receipts to support your claim of injuries.
- We will research and investigate every aspect of your crash, so we can identify all liable parties to hold them accountable.
- We will examine whether Texas modified comparative negligence rules apply to your case, especially if the insurance company claims you are partially at fault.
- We will work with accident reconstruction experts to present evidence of what happened and how you were hurt.
- We will compile an estimate of all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, therapy, and mental distress.
- We will file your insurance claim and negotiate for a fair settlement with insurance companies, ensuring they do not take advantage of you.
- We will represent you in all communications with insurers and defendants.
- We take your personal injury case to court to force those who hurt you to cover all your losses.
- We can file a wrongful death claim against those who caused the death of your loved one on behalf of the survivors. When spouses, children, and parents are left behind without their family member’s comfort and financial support, they need skilled legal guidance to secure relief for funeral expenses and grief.
- We dedicate ourselves to achieving the best possible outcome for your emotional, physical, and financial recovery, filing your insurance claim on time and handling all communications with the insurance company.
Each step of your claim can be easier when you work with a legal professional who is on your side and listens to your story with compassion. You do not have to worry about how to seek justice because we put our full staff to work on every case, making you a priority, not just a number.
Attorney Steve Lee leads a law firm offering four decades of experience in managing motorcycle accident claims. We have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we are confident we can obtain full compensation for you.
Contact the Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Steve Lee Today
Facing the aftermath of a serious electric scooter or e-bike accident in Texas may leave you with weeks or months of recovery. You could be severely or permanently disabled, unable to return to work or care for yourself. Without an income, your bills will pile up, increasing your stress and worry. Instead of dealing with the fallout from someone else’s negligence, turn to an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer.
Attorney Steve Lee is ready to put his team to work for you, examining all the evidence and pursuing those who harmed you. You may be concerned about whether you can afford a lawyer for your case, so we put your mind at ease with a free consultation. After that, accident victims can take advantage of our contingency fee structure to avoid a large retainer upfront.
Your personal injury lawyer will receive their fees as a percentage of your final compensation. This means you do not pay unless we secure a settlement or verdict for you. We also file your paperwork before the statute of limitations expires to ensure you do not lose your chance to seek a remedy through the courts. Put your trust in Steve Lee and his team by contacting us to schedule your free case review today.