Scooter Accident Injury Attorney in Las Vegas

Scooter Accident Injury Attorney in Las Vegas

The use of scooters has been on the rise in recent years in Las Vegas. They’re easy to drive and represent a good way to get around the streets. While there are many benefits for riding scooters, they can also be dangerous and cause injuries to their riders or the pedestrians when accidents occur. From 2018 to 2020 at least eleven electric scooter casualties were recorded in the United States.

Have you or a loved one suffered injuries from a scooter accident because of the negligence of other parties, contact our experienced lawyers in injuries from scooters accidents in Las Vegas for a free evaluation of your case. 

Motor Scooters VS Electric Scooters

Motor scooters are powered by gas and can also be referred to as mopeds. They are propelled by a small engine and under Nevada law a moped cannot exceed 50cc or 1500 cubic watts and its maximum speed must be thirty miles per hour. Meanwhile, electric scooters look similar to the foot-powered scooters and are equipped with a small engine that can travel as fast as twenty miles per hour. In Las Vegas riders of electric scooters must follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists.

Because of the increase in the use of electric scooters there has also been an increase in accidents, and the injuries sustained are like those suffered in a car accident. In Nevada the laws for scooters stipulate that to ride any scooter you must have a driver’s license. The scooter must be registered, and a license plate is also needed. 

Injuries from an Electric Scooter Accident

Because of the exposure you have while riding a scooter, the injuries sustained can go from mild to severe. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Broken bone/ fractures
• Scrapes
• Bruises
• Crushed limbs
• Loss of limbs
• Facial scarring
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
• Dental injuries
• Concussions
• Hemorrhages
• Paralysis

Situations That Can Lead to Scooter Accidents

The victims in electric scooter accidents can be not only the riders but also pedestrians, bicyclists, and even motorists. Some of the situations that can lead to a scooter accident are:

• Losing control of the scooter. This can happen when a rider doesn’t have enough experience riding an electric scooter or when there are obstacles in the road. It can also be the consequence of riders getting distracted by being on the phone or other electronic devices, just like in car accidents.
• A scooter that malfunctions. This can happen as a consequence of poor maintenance or when a scooter rental company rents their scooters in bad condition. Parts that could be faulty include brakes, batteries, handlebars, and software.
• A rider striking a pedestrian. In this situation, it mostly happens because scooters often share bike paths and walkways with pedestrians. A collision with an electric scooter that travels up to 20 miles per hour can cause serious injuries to both the rider and the pedestrian.
• Riders are getting struck by a motor vehicle. As exposed previously, riders of electric scooters don’t have enough protections and the consequences from crashing with a motor vehicle can be devastating.

Liability for Injuries Suffered in a Scooter Accident

In cases of injuries sustained in a scooter accident, it can be confusing to determine which person or party is responsible for your injuries. Sometimes there can be more than one party responsible. Some examples of who may be held liable include:

• Riders of the electric scooter, this happens when you’re the pedestrian who was injured by the rider of the electric scooter. Commonly, they may be found liable because of some form of negligence that includes speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, and not obeying traffic signs.
• Motorists, if a collision occurs because you were hit by a motor vehicle while riding a scooter, then the driver of the vehicle may be held liable for the damages. Some of the reasons this may happen are distracted driving (texting), speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, tailgating, and reckless driving.
• Scooter manufacturers, if the accident was caused by defective parts or software, then the party responsible will be the manufacturer.
• Pedestrians, there are some situations where pedestrians may be held liable for the accident. This can occur if a person is walking while distracted and could step right into the path of an oncoming scooter.
• Cities or businesses, in these cases, need to account for the presence of potholes, construction, poor lighting, or debris.

Compensation in Scooter Accidents

If the negligent actions of a party resulted in you suffering injuries, you are eligible for compensation. Some of the damages you can recover compensation for include:

• Future and past medical bills, which also include the costs for rehabilitation and long-term care if required
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death 

How Can Our Attorneys Help You?

An attorney experienced in scooter accident cases will help you navigate the process for you to obtain the just compensation for your injuries. Some of the actions they will take include:

Collect Evidence. Your attorney can obtain the police report of the incident and also contact any insurance companies involved. While collecting the evidence, they will corroborate the witness statements, report the findings, and insurance claims for proof of a pattern by the defendant and whether the accident was caused by neglect, distraction, or impaired driving.

File your claim. The process of filing a claim can be complicated and take some time; your attorney will know how to proceed in filing your claim for you so you can recover from your injuries peacefully.

Settle. Many of these accidents can end up in a settlement and not go to court. Negotiating is not an easy thing, and most times, the other parties will want to take advantage of you. An experienced attorney in injuries from scooter accidents will make sure that you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Statute of Limitations for Scooter Accidents in Nevada

If you were injured in a scooter accident in Nevada, the time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years. In many cases, that deadline starts on the date of the accident or the injury. Missing the filing deadline can prevent an injured person from pursuing compensation in court.

That said, the correct deadline may depend on the details of the case. Different rules can apply depending on the type of claim, the parties involved, and whether any exception affects the timeline. For that reason, it is often important to review the facts early, preserve evidence, and confirm the applicable deadline before too much time passes.