Tampa Scooter Accident Lawyer

Man riding scooter

Tampa Scooter Accident Lawyer

Tampa is a popular destination for visitors, and also home to plenty of alternative types of transportation. This includes both electric and non-electric scooters. Unfortunately, there are times when these scooters can cause severe injuries, both to riders and other parties involved in an incident. 

If you need a Tampa scooter accident lawyer, contact Paul Rebein today. Attorney Rebein will conduct a complete investigation into your case in order to determine liability and secure the compensation you are entitled to.

What Kind of Scooters Can Cause Injuries?

Tampa began allowing electric scooters onto its streets in a pilot program in 2019. Scooters continue to line the streets of Tampa today. Some of the electric scooter companies that began operation in Tampa include:

  • Bird
  • Lime
  • Jump
  • Spin

(Please note that the COVID-19 pandemic reduced electric scooter fleets on the streets of Tampa. It is expected that these scooter fleets will begin to increase again after the economy reopens and it is safe to do so.)

Residents in Tampa also have bike-share options available to them. Perhaps the most visible of these bike-share programs is Coast Bikes.

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What Are the Most Common Injuries Caused by Scooters in Tampa?

Electric scooters flooded major cities throughout the United States beginning around 2017. Emergency room doctors began to see an immediate uptick in severe injuries caused by these little vehicles.

Various health and transportation departments worked with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and determined that electric scooters use results in approximately 20 injuries per 100,000 trips taken. Of the injuries the victims incur using these scooters, the CDC says that nearly half are head injuries, and 15% of riders injured experienced traumatic brain injuries.

However, those injured in accidents involving electric scooters can also incur:

  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
  • Severe road rash
  • and more

It is important to point out that wearing a helmet is not mandatory for electric scooters. The CDC discovered that less than 1% of people injured on these devices were wearing a helmet when the injury occurred.

When many people think of scooter accidents, they only think of an injury occurring to the scooter rider. It is certainly true that most scooter riders are incredibly vulnerable to injuries in the event an accident occurs. However, scooter riders are not the only ones who can sustain injuries in these incidents.

Tampa scooter accident lawyer Paul Rebein also knows that other pedestrians and bicyclists in and around the scooter rider can also be injured in an accident, as can drivers and passengers in a vehicle if the vehicle crashes in an incident involving the electric scooter.

Who Can be Held Liable in a Tampa Scooter Accident Case?

Liability for an electric scooter accident will be determined much like the liability for a pedestrian or bicycle accident. Contrary to what many people may believe, the fault will not always lie on the scooter rider. The fault for a Tampa electric scooter accident case could fall to:

  • The electric scooter rider
  • A pedestrian or bicyclist on the roadway
  • A vehicle driver on the roadway
  • The manufacturer of the electric scooter
  • The electric scooter operating company

These accidents will typically be handled like an insurance claim, and it should be noted that electric scooter companies are generally able to escape liability for accidents. As part of the terms and conditions of using an electric scooter, riders sign a waiver agreeing not to hold the company liable in the event an accident occurs. There may be exceptions to this in the event an electric scooter is defective and the defect caused the accident.

In a scooter accident in Tampa, determining liability will revolve around gathering various types of evidence. This can include photo or video surveillance of the incident, GPS data from various devices involved, statements from eyewitnesses, accident reports, and more.

Total Compensation for a Tampa Scooter Accident

Money on tableIf you or somebody you care about is injured in an accident involving a scooter in Tampa, there may be various types of compensation available for your claim. Tampa scooter accident lawyer Paul Rebein will conduct a full investigation into your case and work to secure the following:

  • Full coverage of medical expenses related to the crash
  • Any lost income if you are unable to work
  • General household out-of-pocket expenses
  • Loss of personal enjoyment damages
  • Pain and suffering damages

The total amount of compensation available for these crashes will differ on a case-by-case basis. Various factors will determine the final settlement or verdict amount, including the severity of any injuries, the determination of shared fault, whether a victim is able to work, and more.

Deadlines to File a Tampa Scooter Accident Claim

It is important to report an electric scooter accident to any insurance carrier involved in the case as soon as possible. Failing to report an accident soon after it occurs could result in a victim being unable to recover the compensation they deserve.

However, if it is necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against an alleged negligent party, victims must keep in mind the Florida personal injury statute of limitations of four years from the date an injury occurs. This statutory deadline gives injury victims a four-year window with which to file a lawsuit against an alleged negligent party. Failing to do so within this timeframe will result in the victim being unable to recover any compensation for their losses.

Contact Us for a Fair and Objective Consultation of Your Case

If you or someone you love has been injured in a scooter accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, contact an attorney as soon as possible. 

You can count on Tampa scooter accident lawyer Paul Rebein to stand by your side. 

Our team has the experience necessary to conduct a full investigation into your case in order to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. These cases can be complicated, but Attorney Rebein is not afraid to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers or negligent parties.


Let’s Get You On Your Way Forward

Our team of Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help you.

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