Electric scooters are becoming an increasingly popular way for people to get around in cities and suburbs around the country, and the vehicles are a common sight throughout Cincinnati and other Ohio cities. Companies like Bird and Lime operate the dockless e-scooters, which can be unlocked for a small fee via a smartphone app. While they have made getting around easier for many people, they also expose riders to a risk of serious injury, as an incident last summer in Covington makes clear.
According to a report published by Cincinnati.com, a man and a woman riding Lime scooters were injured in a crash at the intersection of Fifth Street and Scott Boulevard shortly after midnight on July 5th. The riders suffered non-life threatening injuries and were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.
Scooter riders are extremely susceptible to injuries in the event of a collision, as they typically have no protection from the elements around them. In fact, a recent study conducted by Voom indicated that 80 percent of e-scooter riders do not wear helmets. With top speeds of around 20 miles per hour, riders can sustain extremely serious injuries if they crash, including:
These and other accident-related injuries can require significant medical treatment and leave victims unable to work for weeks or even months. In the most serious cases, victims can develop long-term disabilities or medical issues that never fully resolve and affect them for the rest of their lives. As a result, it’s critical for victims to protect their rights by retaining an Ohio personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an e-scooter accident.
Fortunately for people who are hurt in accidents on e-scooters, when they are caused by the negligence of drivers, they can often recover compensation for their accident-related injuries by filing a personal injury claim. Some examples of driver negligence that could lead to a serious e-scooter accident include:
In some cases, victims of e-scooter accidents may be able to assert claims against property owners, the e-scooter company, or other parties. To determine whether and against whom you may be able to assert a claim, you should call a lawyer as soon as you can.
Call an Ohio Personal Injury Attorney Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been injured in an e-scooter crash or any other type of preventable accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you can. At Kruger & Hodges, we are committed to helping injured victims get the compensation they deserve, and our experienced team will review your case at no cost to you. To schedule your free consultation with our personal injury attorneys in Ohio, call our office today at 513-894-3333 or contact us online.