Scooter Accident Lawyer Lakeland, FL
Nearly everyone knows about Uber, the ride-hailing service where people can use their own vehicles to act as taxis. However, not everyone is aware that Uber’s parent company has entered the electric scooter market with the JUMP scooter. Adding more e-scooters to the already-crowded streets of U.S. cities carries both risks and advantages. One of the most significant risks involves scooter accidents. As more and more scooters have been introduced to American roads, scooter accident rates have escalated. It’s important to understand that while individuals operate scooters at their own risk, they may still have cause to file legal action in the event of an accident. If you’ve been injured in a scooter collision (with a JUMP scooter or any other brand) don’t hesitate to connect with an experienced Lakeland, Florida scooter accident lawyer from David & Philpot, PL to explore your legal options.
The JUMP scooter operates similarly to existing electric scooters. Other scooter companies had challenges in getting people to download and install the proprietary app, but JUMP had the advantage of leveraging the existing Uber app, which was already being used fifteen million times every day. Uber customers were already accustomed to paying a small fee for transportation, and so they were poised to accept even cheaper transportation by scooter.
Proponents argue that adding more options to the electric scooter market would reduce vehicle traffic and help with gridlock. Fewer passenger vehicles on the road means fewer accidents. However, detractors say that the scooters often clog sidewalks and force pedestrians out of the way. Additional, some riders will choose to (or be forced to) ride the scooters in major roadways, hurting traffic flow and potentially causing more accidents. No matter what circumstances led to your accident, know that an experienced Lakeland, FL scooter accident lawyer can help you to clarify your legal situation. Even if you think you may have been at fault for your collision, it’s important to speak with a Lakeland, FL personal injury lawyer before making assumptions about your case.
One of the challenges JUMP scooter lawyers face in handling the rise of electric scooter accidents is determining who is at fault after a collision. In some jurisdictions, a JUMP scooter is classified as a Personal Mobility Device just like a Segway or similar machine, and can be ridden on sidewalks. In these cities, the law generally makes no distinction between a rider on a JUMP scooter and a pedestrian, which gives the rider legal advantages as long as they were following the same rules a pedestrian would be required to follow.
In other cities, however, a JUMP scooter is classified similarly to bicycles, and must be operated in bicycle lanes. Riding a JUMP scooter on the sidewalks may be illegal and can subject the rider to penalties in an accident involving pedestrians. Additionally, crossing a crosswalk with pedestrians under these circumstances can prevent a rider from claiming damages if struck by a turning vehicle.
Finally, still other jurisdictions treat any motorized vehicle with two inline wheels as a motorcycle or moped, requiring riders to stay off sidewalks and on public streets. With that said, there are exceptions to all major traffic rules. No matter what your situation is, if you’ve been involved in a scooter accident, please seek legal guidance from a Lakeland, FL scooter accident lawyer from David & Philpot, PL as soon as you can to preserve and explore your legal options.