What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident in Washington DC

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What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident in Washington DC, e-scooter, sign

Washington, D.C., is seeing a growing number of electric scooters on the streets, and with that comes an increased risk for accidents.

If you’ve been in an e-scooter accident due to someone else’s negligence, you do not have to go through it alone. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we help you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation! We’ll fight for the justice you deserve.

What to Do After an E-Scooter Accident

If you or someone you know has been involved in an electric scooter accident, you should do a few things to ensure your safety and well-being.

Call the Police

If the accident involved injury or death, you should call the police. They will create a police report which will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Seek Medical Treatment

If you are injured, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor.

Gather Information and Evidence

If you are able, you should try to gather information and evidence at the accident scene. This can include:

  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Contact information of witnesses
  • The driver’s license number and insurance information of the driver
  • Damage to yourself, your scooter, and the other party’s property

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in an electric scooter accident, it is a good idea to contact an experienced attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

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What Not to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident

There are also some things a scooter driver should not do after an accident.

  • Do Not Leave the Scene – Leaving the scene of an accident may impact your ability to recover compensation.
  • Do Not Admit Fault – Even if you think the accident was your fault, do not say so to the other driver, the insurance company, or the police. The investigation will determine who was at fault.
  • Do Not Ignore Your Injuries – If you are injured, do not try to tough it out. Many injuries, such as concussions and whiplash, may not be immediately apparent but can still be serious. See a doctor as soon as possible.

Following these steps after an electric scooter accident in Washington DC can help ensure that you are legally and financially protected. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case if you have been involved in an accident.

Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents

Many factors can contribute to an electric scooter accident.

  • Speeding – One of the most common causes of accidents is speeding. The speed limit for e-scooters is 10 mph in Washington, D.C., and riding at high speeds increases the risk of losing control and crashing.
  • Riding on the Sidewalk – E-scooter users may not ride on sidewalks in the Central Business District. However, many people ride on the sidewalk anyway, increasing their risk of being hit by a car at intersections or running into pedestrians.
  • Distracted Riding – Like any other activity, riding an electric scooter requires your full attention. Unfortunately, many people ride while distracted by their phones or other devices. This can lead to accidents.
  • Defective Scooters – In some cases, accidents are caused by faulty scooters. If a scooter is not properly maintained or has a manufacturing defect, it can be dangerous to ride.
  • Motor Vehicle Hits Scooter Rider – Since electric scooters are smaller than cars, they are at a disadvantage in collisions with motor vehicles. These accidents can be serious, even fatal.
  • Collisions with Pedestrians – Electric scooters can also collide with pedestrians. This is more likely to happen if the scooter is ridden on the sidewalk instead of the street.

No matter the cause of an accident, it is important to seek legal help if you have been injured. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.

Common Injuries After an Electric Scooter Crash

Many injuries can occur after an electric scooter accident. Some of the most common include:

  • Head injuries – Head injuries are common in electric scooter accidents, such as traumatic brain injuries and concussions. Riders are not required to wear helmets unless they are 16 years old or younger, so many are not protected in the event of an accident.
  • Broken bones – Electric scooters do not offer much protection in the event of a fall, so broken bones are common. Broken wrists and ankles are especially common, as riders often try to brace themselves for a fall with their hands or feet.
  • Soft tissue injuries – Soft tissue injuries, such as bruises, strains, and sprains, are also common. These can be painful and may require medical treatment.

If you have been injured in an electric scooter accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. These injuries can be serious and may require long-term treatment.

Who is Liable for My Injuries?

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The liable party in an electric scooter accident will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If the accident was caused by a defective scooter, the scooter manufacturer might be liable for your injuries.

If the accident was caused by a motor vehicle, the driver of the vehicle might be held liable, and their liability coverage may pay for your damages.

It is important to note that riders of electric scooters can also be held liable for accidents they cause. If you have been involved in an accident, it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case.

Factors That May Impact Your Claim

There are a number of factors that may impact your personal injury claim after an electric scooter accident.

  • The severity of your injuries – The severity of your injuries will play a role in the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. In general, more serious injuries will result in higher damages.
  • The cause of the accident – If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you might be entitled to receive compensation from that party.
  • The liable party’s insurance coverage – The amount of insurance coverage the responsible party has will also impact the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. If the liable party does not have insurance, you may be able to recover damages from your own insurance policy.
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The Statute of Limitations for E-Scooter Accidents

The statute of limitations is the time limit you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Washington DC, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the accident date. This means that if you do not file your lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident, you will be barred from doing so.

However, there are different deadlines for different causes of action, such as for wrongful death claims (which have a 2-year statute of limitations in Washington, DC). In addition, many claims have certain notice requirements which are much shorter. You should contact an experienced accident lawyer to discuss the deadlines that apply to your case as soon as possible.  

The Vulnerable User Recovery Act of 2020

In 2020, the Vulnerable User Recovery Act was enacted in Washington DC. This law protects vulnerable transportation users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders, who are at an increased risk because they have less protection than people riding in cars or trucks.

Under this doctrine, the plaintiff’s negligence is not a bar to recovery if the Plaintiff’s negligence is 50% or less. This means that pedestrians, cyclists, and users of other non-motorized devices like skateboards can recover up to 100% of their losses.

What a Personal Injury Attorney Can Do For You

e-scooter, rider, trees

The Washington, D.C. accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to an e-scooter accident, gathering evidence to establish liability and negligence. 

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate. 

Damages You Can Recover in Your Injury Claim

There are a number of different types of damages you can recover in your personal injury claim. These include:

  • Medical expenses – You can recover the cost of your medical treatment, including ambulance fees, hospitalization costs, and the cost of any future treatment you may need.
  • Lost wages – If you have to miss work because of your injuries, you can recover your lost wages.
  • Pain and suffering – You can also recover damages for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have endured due to your injuries.
  • Property damage – If your personal property was damaged in the accident, you could recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

We Get You the Compensation You Deserve

For more than 50 years, the Washington DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements: 

  • $3.5 million for a man who suffered a brain injury when a District of Columbia police officer opened his door into traffic and “doored” him. 
  • $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision.
  • $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury due to a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product.
  • $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
  • $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
  • $600,000 verdict obtained against the United States Postal Service due to the negligence of one of its drivers, who pulled out from a stop sign in front of our client’s motorcycle.
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See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.

Contact an Attorney Today

If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your e-scooter accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.

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