Will Electric Scooters Soon Share Sidewalks?

Following the overwhelming success of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft comes a different kind of transportation trend, which involves sharing electric scooters. Companies like Lime, Bird, Gotcha, and more are providing scooters for rent via mobile apps for anyone looking for a faster way to travel than walking. Scooters can be convenient for people without direct access to cars or bicycles, and the services are expanding through Kansas.

Reports indicate that Wichita is preparing for the launch of electric scooter rental throughout the city. The process not only involves issuing permits to scooter companies, but also setting guidelines and regulations to help ensure safe scooter operation. This is because many cities that already embraced electric scooters have also faced the problem of accidents and injuries stemming from scooter rentals.

How Scooter Crashes Happen

Electric scooters bring new risks to cities in many different ways. Consider the following possible scenarios:

• You are walking on the sidewalk and, suddenly, a scooter operator crashes into the back of you.
• A scooter departs from the sidewalk and is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle
• A scooter renter leaves the scooter in the path of traffic and causes a car to crash, or in the path of a sidewalk, causing a bicyclist to crash

Scooter-related accidents can result in serious injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, or the scooter riders themselves. In any case, it is important to examine who can be held liable for injuries stemming from a scooter accident.

Who is Liable for Your Injuries?

There are many different parties that can be held responsible for scooter-related injuries, depending on the circumstances of an accident. Some liable parties may include:

• The scooter operator – Many rules regarding electric scooters regulate the speed of operation and when someone may not operate a scooter, such as at night or in bad weather. If a scooter rider is going too fast, fails to yield, or is otherwise careless, they may be liable for injuries they cause to others. 

• The scooter rental company – Scooter rental companies are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of scooters to ensure they are safe, as well as the safe storage of scooters when they are not in use. Negligence on the part of rental companies can lead to accidents and injuries.
• The scooter manufacturer – Sometimes, a scooter may have inherent defects due to negligent manufacturing. When a scooter malfunctions due to a defect, the manufacturer should be liable for resulting injuries and losses.
• Drivers – As electric scooters begin sharing sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks, drivers will need to pay adequate attention and drive in a safe manner to avoid hitting scooter riders. Careless drivers can be held accountable if they cause a scooter crash.

Learn How a Salina Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help after a Scooter Accident

As electric scooters expand throughout Kansas, the legal team at Neustrom & Associates is ready to help in the event of an accident and injury. Call 785-825-1505 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Salina.