v

FREE CASE EVALUATION Contact Us 24/7

Kelly Law Team main logo

1 E Washington ST Suite 1520
Phoenix, AZ 85004

v

FREE CASE EVALUATION
Contact Us 24/7

  1. Home
  2.  | 
  3. Car Accidents
  4.  | I’ve been in a scooter accident, what should I do?

I’ve been in a scooter accident, what should I do?

by | Feb 26, 2019

Car Accidents Involving Scooters – Everything You Need To Know (Part 2)

Hospitals in major cities are seeing first hand the dangerous injuries caused by the scooter transportation trend. While scooters may look like toys, riders of all ages are reporting serious injuries including three recent deaths. So, what should you do if you have been in a scooter accident?

Scooter Accidents Lawyer

Scooter Accidents and Injuries

If you need proof of the surge in scooter use, look no further than the emergency room. Physicians from prominent medical centers, especially those in California where the e-scooter boom began, are reporting significant increases in scooter-related injuries. One San Francisco emergency room doctor estimates he sees at least ten severe scooter injuries per week.  Injuries include everything from road rash, broken teeth and bones, to severe head and neck injuries affecting the spinal cord and brain. Users underestimate the dangers of riding scooters and the combination of inexperienced riders, lack of helmet use, poorly maintained scooters and inherent dangers of riding a small vehicle combine to form the perfect opportunity for accidents.

So, What Should You Do If You Are In A Scooter Accident?

First, and foremost, if you need medical attention seek it immediately and follow through on all of your doctor’s treatment recommendations.

While at the accident scene, collect all possible evidence including photographs and contact information of any witnesses. After the accident, obtain a copy of the police report.

Never give statements to an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney. Saying the wrong thing to an insurance adjuster may have a negative impact on your potential settlement.

If you are using a rented scooter, keep copies of all user agreements.

Many attorneys offer free consultations, so take advantage of these services and seek the advice of a skilled personal injury attorney to advise you on the best course of action.

A Warning About User Agreements and Arbitration

A common criticism of shared e-scooters is the terms of the user agreement. Before renting a scooter, users are often required to agree to certain terms, which may include limitations on a rider’s ability to sue. These user agreements frequently require users to pursue all claims through binding arbitration. What does this mean? Well, if your accident is caused through some fault of the rideshare company (e.g., negligence in maintaining the scooter), you would be unable to sue the company in court and would be forced to pursue your claims through a process called arbitration. Arbitration is known for being unfavorable to consumers. It is easy to quickly hit the “Accept Terms” button on these agreements, but make sure you are aware of the rights you may be giving away.

The personal injury attorneys with the Kelly Law Team are experienced in handling scooter accident cases and are here to help. Call us now for a free consultation at 602-283-4122.

Willow Midwife Center for Birth & Wellness – Our firm is currently counsel for plaintiffs in a lawsuit (midwife malpractice) against the birthing center – involving failure to transfer mothers and newborns to hospitals when emergency care was needed, causing devastating consequences for those involved. 

At the Kelly Law Team, our personal injury practice includes a wide range of injuries caused by negligence and other wrongful conduct. including injuries that are inflicted upon newborn babies (and their mothers).

When a woman is about to give birth, she understandably wants to be as comfortable as possible, not only in her surroundings, but also in terms of the quality of care she will receive. People choose birthing centers in part, at least, due to the promise of a more personalized attention, a home-like environment, “continuous care,” less medical intervention, and a more “natural” birthing experience. 

Unfortunately, birthing centers are not equipped to handle many emergencies. There are numerous areas of concern when you entrust your maternity care to a birthing center. For example, as in our case, delayed transfer of mothers and newborn babies to a hospital could lead to devastating consequences, including oxygen deprivation, untreated fetal distress, and more. This could result in the baby suffering with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and other serious problems and conditions.

These centers generally operate without an onsite physician, and the possibility of a delay in the transfer to a hospital in the case of an emergency or difficult delivery is only one example of injuries to newborns and to their mothers, who suffer needlessly as the result of negligence on the part of the birthing center. Moreover, birthing centers are not able to perform Cesarean sections, while almost one-third of births in the United States are delivered by C-section.

Indeed, according to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, birthing centers carry an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including the following:

  • Neonatal deaths (birth through day 28);
  • Depressed Agpar scores in the first few minutes of birth (Apgar evaluates the newborn’s heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes, respiration, and appearance); and

In addition to the risks to the infant, medical problems suffered by the mother may also be well beyond the capacity of a birthing center to diagnose and/or treat.

If you or a loved one has given birth at a birthing center, and either mother or child has had health problems, during or after childbirth, we may be able to assist in finding out whether the birthing center was at fault, causing or exacerbating the injury/condition, and whether you are entitled to compensation. If you believe a birthing center caused or failed to diagnose or properly treat a medical condition, contact the Kelly Law Team to find out what our firm can do for you.

kelly law team symbol