What Are Scooters and E-Scooters?
An e-scooter (electric or motorized scooter) is similar in shape to a standard scooter, with two wheels and a flat bottom, but it uses an electric motor to propel it forward. Most e-scooters go at a speed of 15-25 mph.
Because of their convenience, e-scooters have exponentially grown in popularity, especially in big Florida cities. Today, several scooter rental companies exist in these cities, including:
- Bird
- Jump
- Lime/Uber
- Lyft
- Skip
- Spin
With this increase in e-scooter usage, accidents have also become more common. If you’ve been involved in an e-scooter accident, it may be beneficial to consult a scooter accident lawyer to understand your rights and potential claims.
Scooter Regulations in Florida
Florida Statute 316.2128 details the requirements for micro-mobility devices, motorized scooters, and miniature motorcycles.
This law states:
- A motorized scooter or micro-mobility device does not need to satisfy the registration and insurance requirements of Statute 320.02 or the licensing requirements of Statute 316.605.
- A person does not need a driver’s license to operate a motorized scooter or micro-mobility device.
Scooter User Liability and Agreements
Each scooter manufacturer has its own liability and agreement terms that users agree to when they purchase an e-scooter. This prevents motorists from holding an e-scooter company liable in an accident.
Some of the agreements the rider agrees to may include:
- Must assess the scooter to ensure it’s safe to ride before each use
- Must be competent and physically fit enough to operate and ride an e-scooter
- Must follow local traffic laws
Common Causes of Scooter Accidents
Many types of e-scooter accidents could occur. Some of the most common include:
- A defective e-scooter causing a malfunction that results in an accident
- A pedestrian tripping over an e-scooter
- An e-scooter rider crashing into a pedestrian or a car
- The driver losing control of the e-scooter and crashes
Notably, some cities are more hazardous for scooter motorists; thus, accidents are more likely. The five most dangerous scooter accident cities in Florida are:
- Miami
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Fort Lauderdale
- Key West
What to Expect When Working with Florida Ticket Firm
It should come as no surprise that an e-scooter or scooter accident comes with a high risk of broken bones, head injury, emergency medical service transport, and hospitalization. Our scooter accident attorneys will ensure you get financial compensation for your scooter injury from the appropriate insurance company or liable party.
Financial compensation is available for the following types of damages:
- Emergency room expenses
- Loss of earning capacity or wages
- Medical bills
- Property damage or loss
Remember, it doesn’t matter if you have minor or severe injuries; always document everything and keep detailed records from your attending doctors. This will help our lawyers get you compensation for the accident.
Additionally, you can also receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Pain and suffering
To secure fair compensation, our team will help you gather evidence to prove your claim. Then, we will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. Should the case not reach a settlement, we will defend your case in court.
Why Should You Choose Florida Ticket Firm for Your Personal Injury Case?
When searching for a scooter accident lawyer in Florida to handle your personal injury lawsuit, look no further than Florida Ticket Firm. Our law office is exceptionally knowledgeable about Florida traffic laws and has contested over a million traffic tickets. We’ve also helped countless individuals receive fair compensation for their personal injury claims.
In addition to handling e-scooter accidents, our law firm has experience handling other personal injury accident claims, such as:
- Bicycle accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries and other catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
We offer a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers to assess your needs and case.
FAQs About Scooter Accidents in Florida
Since e-scooters are still relatively new, we receive many questions about them and Florida laws regarding their use. Below, our personal injury attorneys provide answers to the most common e-scooter questions.
What Are the Rules for Electric Scooters in Florida?
Scooter laws in Florida state the following:
- No e-scooter can have a seat or saddle
- Riders must be at least 16 years old
- Riders do not need to have a driver’s license
- Riding e-scooters on the sidewalk is typically against the law, so stick to the bike lane
When in doubt, consult local regulations for speed limit caps and other laws regarding e-scooter use.
Do I Need Insurance on my Scooter in Florida?
Under Florida law, you don’t need insurance if your motor vehicle has an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less and doesn’t go faster than 30 miles per hour on a flat road.
Motor vehicles with an engine displacement larger than 50 cubic centimeters require insurance.
Additionally, there are no insurance requirements for those who choose not to wear helmets. Individuals 21 and older may choose not to wear helmets as long as they have $10,000 in medical coverage. However, a health insurance policy rather than a scooter insurance policy will satisfy this requirement.
What Happens if a Scooter Gets Hit?
If another motor vehicle hits your scooter, follow these steps:
- Call the police and medical personnel.
- If you have serious injuries, don’t move and wait for law enforcement to arrive so as not to injure yourself further.
- Seek medical attention.
- Capture photos and evidence from the scene of the crash if you don’t have injuries that prevent you from doing so.
- Collect the contact details of those involved in the crash and witnesses.
- File a police report.
- Track all accident-related expenses and keep all receipts and related paperwork.
Importantly, always allow medical professionals to assess your accident injuries at the scene of the electric scooter accident and transport you to the hospital for further observation. A medical exam could uncover unknown injuries even if you suspect you only have minor injuries.
Hire Florida Ticket Firm as Your Scooter Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been a scooter accident victim, a scooter accident lawyer in Florida can help you get the compensation you deserve.
You don’t have to fight this battle by yourself! Contact us today at Florida Ticket Firm for a free case evaluation. In the consultation, you’ll learn more about your legal options and how our legal team can assist you with your Florida scooter accident case.