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Injured on a Rental Scooter in GA

By Butler Prather LLP on July 3, 2021

Electric scooters have become incredibly popular over the last few years. In general, we will see that electric scooters are much more popular in the urban areas of the state, particularly in and around the Atlanta area. However, other cities also have electric scooters that individuals can rent. When these scooters first started making appearances on Georgia roadways, they were touted as good alternatives to walking or biking. However, serious injuries caused by scooter crashes have occurred all across the country. Here, we want to discuss who could be held liable in the aftermath of sustaining an injury on a rental scooter in Georgia.

Rental Scooter Accident Injuries Can be Severe

We can look at the epicenter of electric scooters in Georgia (Atlanta) to see which companies are operating in the state when it comes to these motorized devices. Over the last few years, operators such as Bird, Veo, Spin, and Helbiz have offered several “micro-mobility” options, including electric scooters, sit-down scooters, and electric bikes.

However, emergency room doctors and first responders have been raising alarm bells over the last few years about the injuries caused by electric scooter accidents. Riders on these scooters typically do not have to have any previous riding experience. Renting one of these scooters is not terribly difficult and can be done so cheaply by using only a phone app to unlock the scooter.

Unfortunately, when a collision occurs involving an electric scooter, the scooter rider can sustain severe injuries. Some of the most common electric scooter accident injuries that occur include the following:

  • Severe sprains or strains
  • Lacerations and road rash
  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Other severe back or neck injury
  • Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
  • Significant scarring or disfigurement

When a collision occurs between an electric scooter and a vehicle, the electric scooter riders face a much higher likelihood of sustaining an injury. However, even electric scooter accidents that occur without a vehicle involved can still result in severe injuries for the scooter rider.

Holding an At-Fault Driver Accountable

Vehicle drivers in Atlanta can be held responsible if their negligence caused the electric scooter crash. These incidents will be handled much like any other type of vehicle accident, including bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier will be responsible for paying the medical bills, property damage expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages of the electric scooter rider.

Will the Scooter Rental Company be Held Liable?

In general, we will find that the electric scooter rental company will not hold much liability in these cases. Even though riders may not realize it, they typically wave liability from the rental company simply by agreeing to download the app or sign onto a ride. Sometimes, these waivers are hidden within the terms and conditions that most people just click a button and gloss over. In fact, one of the only ways that electric scooter companies will hold liability is if they provided a defective scooter.

Working With an Attorney

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an electric scooter accident anywhere in the state of Georgia, you may need to seek legal assistance to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Electric scooter personal injury cases can become incredibly challenging for victims, and an attorney will step in and handle every aspect of the case on their behalf. This will include conducting an investigation into the incident in order to determine liability. An Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney will handle all negotiations with other parties in order to recover the compensation their client needs.


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