Milwaukee Scooter Accident Attorney
Scooters can provide a convenient and affordable means of transportation in large cities like Milwaukee. However, a fall or collision with a larger passenger vehicle can lead to serious injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in a scooter collision, the Milwaukee scooter accident attorneys at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. can help. Call us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Scooters have Exploded in Popularity
While the term scooter referred to gas-operated scooters in the past, electric scooters have suddenly become ubiquitous. Dockless scooters are electric, or E-Scooters, that do not have a fixed home location and are dropped off and picked up from certain service areas. Over the last several years, dockless scooter-sharing companies have experienced explosive growth and have flooded major metropolitan areas all over the United States.
In Milwaukee, three companies currently rent out electric scooters by the minute: Bird, Lime, and Spin. In theory, scooter sharing provides the public with affordable and convenient personal means of transportation. However, these programs have been met with scorn from residents and officials from all over the U.S. In Milwaukee, dockless scooters were recently banned from operating in the downtown area after a pilot study found that over 30 percent of the nearly 300,000 scooter trips taken occurred on sidewalks.
E-Scooter Injuries
A recent study found that more than 20 people may be injured for every 100,000 E-Scooter trips. Riders of E-Scooters are extremely vulnerable to falls and collisions with fixed objects, pedestrians, and motor vehicles. Particularly with scooter-sharing, most riders are relatively inexperienced and ride without recommended safety equipment such as a helmet. In fact, nearly every study that has examined this issue noted low rates of helmet use among electric scooter users. Injury patterns associated with scooter accidents include head injuries, injury to the upper and lower extremities, and road rash.
Liability in Scooter Accidents
Scooter accidents occur for a variety of reasons. The small frame of scooters may be difficult for motorists to see. Many users are not experienced with the operation of a scooter and the limits they have. Riders may operate the scooters in an unsafe manner or in areas that put pedestrians at risk. In some cases, rental scooters may be damaged or malfunctioning.
The issue of liability in most scooter accidents is not always clear. The laws involved in these cases are constantly evolving and changing. If you were injured in an accident as a scooter rider or as a pedestrian, you need a Milwaukee scooter accident attorney who understands the regulations, laws, and insurance issues involved.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, liability could fall to many different parties including:
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
- Scooter riders
- Scooter or scooter parts manufacturers
- E-Scooter rental companies
- City or local governments
Speak to a Milwaukee Scooter Accident Lawyer
Milwaukee scooter accidents can often produce serious injuries. Traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, and other debilitating injuries could dramatically alter the course of your life. We believe that you should not be responsible for the financial losses you have incurred through no fault of your own.
Call the Milwaukee scooter accident lawyers at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. to find out what how we can help. You can reach us by phone at 414-273-7400 or through our online contact form when you are ready to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.