What Happens If You’re Hit While Riding an Electric Scooter in Minnesota?
The electric scooter industry has exploded in recent years, especially in major metropolitan areas where riders are looking for a cheap and easy way to get around. This has caused some confusion about the best way to keep riders safe. The law in Minneapolis dictates that electric scooters should not be ridden on the sidewalk because they may be considered a motorized vehicle. But are scooter riders safe in the bike lane, right next to passing cars?
Financial Recovery From A Scooter Accident
In most accidents, the more vulnerable party is the one who is injured, such as a crash between a scooter rider and the driver of a car or truck. Since someone on a scooter, like a pedestrian, isn’t protected by airbags and seatbelts, they may suffer lacerations, broken bones, brain injuries, neck and back injuries, and other injuries that cause lasting damage. These injuries might require emergency medical attention or ongoing treatment, which quickly rack up a hefty bill.
Who May Be Responsible When a Pedestrian on a Scooter Is Hit by a Car?
When a pedestrian on a scooter is hit by a car, determining who is responsible depends on how the crash happened. A driver may be liable if they were speeding, distracted, failed to yield, made an unsafe turn, or otherwise failed to watch for people using the roadway. At the same time, the actions of the scooter rider may also be considered when determining fault and compensation.
Evidence can make a significant difference in a scooter accident claim. Photos or video of the scene, witness statements, police reports, vehicle damage, medical records, and footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras may help establish what happened. Because some evidence can disappear quickly, documenting the accident as soon as possible is important.
This can be particularly relevant after a scooter accident in Minneapolis, where scooter riders regularly share busy streets and intersections with cars, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians. Even a relatively low-speed collision can cause serious injuries when a rider is thrown from a scooter or struck directly by a vehicle.
Minnesota also follows a comparative fault system. That means an injured person does not necessarily lose the ability to recover compensation simply because they may share some responsibility for an accident. The specific facts of the crash and the degree of fault assigned to each person can affect whether compensation is available and how much may ultimately be recovered.
Are Electric Scooter Accidents the Same as Moped or Motorcycle Accidents in MN?
Not necessarily. Someone searching for information after being hit while driving a moped or scooter may use those terms interchangeably, but the type of vehicle involved can affect which Minnesota laws and insurance rules apply. Stand-up electric scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles have different characteristics and may be treated differently under Minnesota law.
The injuries, however, can be similar. Like people injured in motorcycle accidents in MN, scooter and moped riders have little physical protection when struck by a passenger vehicle. Head injuries, fractures, road rash, spinal injuries, and other serious injuries can result.
Because insurance coverage and potential sources of compensation may depend on the type of scooter or vehicle involved, an attorney can review the circumstances of the collision rather than assuming every two-wheeled vehicle accident should be handled the same way.
What happens if a scooter hits your car?
Liability does not automatically fall on the driver of the larger vehicle. If a scooter rider collides with a car, responsibility depends on what each person was doing immediately before the crash. A rider who enters traffic unexpectedly or fails to follow an applicable traffic rule could potentially bear some or all of the responsibility. Conversely, a driver may still share responsibility if their own negligence contributed to the collision. Evidence from the scene can help determine how the accident occurred and who may be legally responsible.
Why You Should Contact an Attorney After a Scooter Accident
As is the case for any accident, those injured by another party while riding a scooter have limited time to pursue a personal injury case. It’s important to contact a Minnesota personal injury attorney as soon as you have received medical attention for your injuries. Your attorney must get to work right away to investigate and prove liability. We’ll speak with any witnesses, facilitate conversations with the insurance company, and handle all the legal aspects of your personal injury suit.
Never speak to the other party’s insurance company before retaining a lawyer. The insurance company can use any information you provide against you if your case does end up in court. Additionally, the insurance company may offer a settlement that will not adequately cover your long-term needs. Once you’ve accepted this settlement, you will likely have no way to request additional compensation in the future. It’s important to consider the true cost of your accident. Your lawyer can help explain which types of compensation you should consider.
Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Scooter or Pedestrian Accident
Unless electric scooters are banned in Minnesota cities or their use is permitted on sidewalks, we will likely continue to see accidents involving riders and drivers. Scooter riders don’t deserve to be injured at the hands of negligent drivers. We encourage anyone who has found themselves in such a situation to contact an injury attorney to discuss next steps.
Sieben Edmunds Miller is an award-winning personal injury law firm composed of skilled attorneys who want to help you heal from the physical, mental, and financial impacts of your injury. When you’ve been hurt, your job is to recover and feel better. Our job as your lawyer is to do everything in our power to ensure that you don’t suffer from financial hardship as you recover. We strive to help every client obtain adequate compensation for the injuries they sustained in their pedestrian accident.
Were you injured while riding an electric scooter? Contact our team to learn how we can help.
