Electric scooters, also known as “e-scooters,” are a relatively new trend in Pittsburgh and elsewhere in Pennsylvania. Yes, the idea of reducing your carbon footprint to a minimum and zipping around town on two wheels and not having to be stuck in those horrible traffic jams in Pittsburgh is certainly exciting. But there are quite a few downsides to consider.
There is an ongoing debate as to whether or not electric scooters are street-legal in Pennsylvania (in fact, The Inquirer published a report in October 2018 citing a fact sheet released by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in which it says that e-scooters are “not street-legal” and “cannot be operated Pennsylvania roadways or sidewalks”).
However, this confusion had little to no effect on Pennsylvania residents who continue to ride electric scooters on roadways and sidewalks in Pittsburgh. Although e-scooters are a relatively new phenomenon in the U.S., they have already brought chaos and outrage in cities across the nation, with lawmakers in certain cities pushing legislation to ban the electric scooter companies that rent out scooters to customers.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS IN PITTSBURGH
The city of Pittsburgh has worked with a variety of electric scooter providers to ensure that residents have a plethora of public transportation options. When the city began allowing electric scooters to operate, the company Spin became part of a consortium of companies that provide transportation stations in and around the city.
Recently, another form of electric scooter, one that looks like a moped, has entered the city of Pittsburgh. The scooter is called Scoobi and is operated by a Pittsburgh-based company. Scoobi began working with 100 scooters in July of 2018, and these devices can reach speeds of around 30 mph.
There are various other types of scooters that operate across the country, with the most popular being Bird and Lime.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENTS IN PITTSBURGH
Reports indicate that electric scooter accident rates could be as high as 1,000 per month, while safety experts in Pennsylvania and all across the country discourage Americans from riding e-scooters due to multiple risks posed to riders, pedestrians, and even motorists.
If you have been injured while riding an e-scooter or you sustained an injury due to another electric scooter rider, our Pittsburgh electric scooter accident attorney here at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman will be glad to help you. Schedule a free consultation with our lawyers to determine liability (because, believe it or not, establishing fault in e-scooter accidents can be very complicated due to the fact that there are no guidelines, legal standards, or procedures on how to seek compensation after an electric scooter accident in Pittsburgh).
COMMON ELECTRIC SCOOTER INJURIES IN PITTSBURGH
Unfortunately, those involved in electric scooter accidents can sustain severe injuries. The Pittsburgh electric scooter accident attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman have helped clients who have sustained the following:
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Other severe neck or back injuries
- Traumatic brain
- Concussions
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
COMPENSATION FOR ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENTS IN PITTSBURGH
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident involving an electric scooter in Pittsburgh, there may be various types of compensation available for your claim. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our scooter accident lawyers will help clients secure the following:
- Full compensation for crash-related medical bills
- Lost income if a victim cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of personal enjoyment damages
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
WHY YOU NEED A PITTSBURGH ELECTRIC SCOOTER ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
There can be multiple types of electric scooter accidents, and there are just as many causes of e-scooter accidents in Pennsylvania. Since e-scooters are a relatively new trend in the U.S. and there are no laws or rules governing electric scooters, many people have no idea how to properly and legally use and interact with e-scooters.
These are the most common types of electric scooter accidents (if you have been injured in any of them, do not hesitate to speak to an experienced electric scooter accident attorney in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Pennsylvania):
- E-scooter rider struck by a car: When e-scooter riders attempt to share the road (or worse, the highway) with larger vehicles, many things can go wrong. Riding an electric scooter on the road is not the same as riding a bicycle or motorcycle. On top of that, motorists in Pittsburgh have no idea how to share the road with e-scooters, which is why electric scooter riders are at risk of getting hit by cars.
- E-scooter rider hits a pedestrian: Taking an e-scooter for a ride along sidewalks can be just as risky. This way around, it’s usually dangerous for pedestrians rather than e-scooter riders. Neither pedestrians nor riders know how to interact with one another on sidewalks, and this confusion can cause e-scooter accidents.
- E-scooter defect: Any vehicle can be defective, and electric scooters are no exception. In fact, e-scooters are even more likely to be defective or faulty given that they were made available to U.S. consumers not that long ago. If you remember the scandals surrounding defects in hoverboards, which were a trend just a few years ago, then you know where this is headed.
- Electric scooter accident: An e-scooter rider does not necessarily need to operate a defective electric scooter, hit pedestrians, or be struck by a car to be injured while enjoying a ride around Pittsburgh. That’s because an e-scooter rider can crash into pretty much anything, especially if the rider is new to all this.
CALL OUR SCOOTER ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Whatever is the case, is represented by a Pittsburgh electric scooter accident lawyer from Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman is always a good idea to determine liability and recover damages. Call our offices at (412) 391-7610 for a free case evaluation.
