Denver Scooter Accident Attorneys
The Growing Use of Electric Scooter Rentals in Denver
Electric Scooter Safety and Accident Statistics
Electric Scooter Laws in Denver
Regulations for Electric Scooters in Denver
- Where scooters can operate: Riders may not operate scooters on sidewalks unless the sidewalk is part of a designated route or to park the scooter. On streets without bike lanes, scooter riders should stay as far to the right as possible.
- Speed limits: The maximum speed for electric scooters city-wide is 15 miles per hour.
- Who can rent scooters: Most rental companies require riders to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license to unlock and operate a scooter.
- Helmet use: Regulations encourage helmet use for safety but do not legally require helmets for riders over 18 in Denver.
- Parking: Operators may not block sidewalks, driveways, building entrances, or ADA ramps when parking a scooter. Riders may only park in designated parking areas or out of pedestrian pathways.
- Alcohol use: The law deems operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs illegal and regulates it the same as driving under the influence (DUI) for motor vehicles.
Driving Laws and Responsibilities
- Allow scooter riders the right of way at crosswalks and intersections
- Maintain a safe distance when overtaking scooters, just as with bicycles
- Exercise caution when entering bike lanes or shared roadways
How Do Scooter Accidents Happen?
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
- Lack of experience: Many riders are unfamiliar with scooter operation, leading to sudden stops, loss of balance, or oversteering.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Ignoring traffic signals, failing to yield, or improper lane usage increases accident risk.
- Reckless behavior: Riding at excessive speeds, weaving through traffic, or performing stunts are common causes of scooter collisions.
- Road conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, debris, and wet surfaces affect scooters much more significantly than cars, often causing riders to lose control.
- Poor visibility: Low lighting or obstructed views make scooters difficult to see for motorists and pedestrians, especially at night.
- Right-of-way conflicts: Drivers unfamiliar with sharing the road with scooters often fail to yield or pass dangerously close.
- Dooring accidents: Riders often collide with an open car door when traveling near parked vehicles.
- Blind spots: Scooters are small and less visible, and blind spots in typical motor vehicles lead to collisions.
- Sidewalk riding: Sidewalk riding is illegal in all but designated areas and often leads to crashes with pedestrians.
- Crowded areas: High foot traffic in crosswalks significantly increases the likelihood of accidental collisions.
- Mechanical issues: Faulty brakes, worn tires, or steering malfunctions regularly cause accidents.
- Battery failures: Sudden power loss can leave riders unable to maneuver safely.
- Alcohol or drug use: Operating a scooter while impaired is illegal in Denver and is a significant factor in many accidents.
- Phone use: Riders distracted by texting, GPS navigation, or taking photos often completely lose focus on the road and their surroundings.
Common Types of Scooter Accidents
- Single-rider accidents: Riders may hit obstacles or lose balance due to poor road conditions or equipment malfunction.
- Vehicle collisions: Crashes involving cars, trucks, or motorcycles often occur at intersections or in shared lanes.
- Pedestrian collisions: Riders may strike pedestrians, especially in congested areas or on sidewalks or other prohibited zones.
- Multi-scooter collisions: In areas with dense scooter traffic, riders sometimes collide with each other.
Common Injuries After a Scooter Accident
- Concussions: Concussions are a common head injury among scooter riders and crash victims. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and difficulty concentrating.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Severe impacts often cause TBIs, with possible long-term cognitive and motor impairments.
- Wrist and arm fractures: As riders or pedestrians extend their hands to break a fall, they often suffer from wrist, forearm, or elbow fractures.
- Leg and ankle fractures: Collisions or falls, especially involving vehicles moving at speed, may result in fractures of the tibia, fibula, or ankle bones.
- Clavicle (collarbone) fractures: These painful injuries are common in high-impact crashes and can limit upper body mobility for an extended time.
- Sprains and strains: Ligaments and tendons in the wrists, ankles, and knees are particularly vulnerable to twisting and pressure injuries during falls.
- Cuts and bruises: Road abrasions often occur when riders slide on pavement, leading to painful, open wounds that require cleaning and dressing.
- Herniated discs: Sudden impacts can compress the spine, leading to herniated discs that cause back pain and limited mobility.
- Paralysis: Severe spinal injuries can result in partial or full paralysis, particularly in high-speed accidents and depending on the precise location of the spinal injury.
- Organ damage: Impact with vehicles or hard surfaces can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys that require immediate medical attention.
- Rib fractures: These injuries can lead to punctured lungs, causing long-term difficulty breathing and extensive pain.
- Broken teeth: Riders often strike their face during a fall, leading to chipped or broken teeth.
- Facial fractures: Fractures to the nose, cheekbones, or jaw often require reconstructive surgery.
Contact Fiedler Trial Lawyers Today for Representation for Scooter Accident Injuries
Choose Fiedler Trial Lawyers for:
- Experienced electric scooter accident lawyers: We have years of experience in representing injured people in negotiations and in cases in state and federal courts.
- Comprehensive case evaluation: We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident to identify liable parties.
- Proven legal strategies: Count on our experience in building strong cases to hold responsible parties responsible.
- No fees unless you win: We structure our fees on a contingency basis that protects you from financial risk during the recovery process.
- Personalized attention: We treat each case with exceptional care and dedication as we build a personal relationship with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make a claim if you weren’t wearing a helmet during an accident. However, this could impact the amount of compensation you receive under some circumstances, especially if your injuries would have been less severe with a helmet.
You may be able to recover damages when injured as a pedestrian hit by a scooter in appropriate cases. For rented scooters, your personal injury scooter attorney will evaluate whether the rental company’s insurance should also provide coverage.
Under Colorado law, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries if you were partially at fault for the scooter accident, so long as you are less than 50% at fault. However, your percentage of fault for causing the accident may reduce any compensation.
Filing a claim against a scooter rental company can be complex, as many rental companies include liability waivers in their user agreements. However, these waivers may not protect the company if the accident was caused by negligence, such as failure to maintain the scooter or providing defective equipment. If you believe the rental company’s negligence contributed to your accident, an attorney in Denver can help you navigate these legal challenges and hold the company accountable.
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including scooter accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances, such as claims involving a government entity, may have shorter deadlines. To protect your rights and avoid missing critical deadlines, it’s crucial to consult a qualified attorney as soon as possible after a scooter accident in Denver.
To ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries, it’s essential to document everything related to the scooter accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and evidence from the accident scene. Additionally, hiring an experienced Denver attorney can make a significant difference. We can help you build a strong case, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.
Additional Information in Denver, Colorado
- FMCSA - Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) Eligibility Guide (2024): Provides comprehensive guidelines on the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). It outlines eligibility criteria, submission processes, and how carriers can challenge crash preventability determinations to improve their safety records.
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Injury Prevention Resources: Offers a wide range of resources and programs focused on preventing injuries in Colorado, including tips for road safety, scooter safety, and other transportation-related injury prevention initiatives.
- Denver Regional Council of Governments - Micromobility Transportation Report: Provides an in-depth analysis of micromobility options, including scooters, in the Denver region. The report highlights safety concerns, usage trends, and policy recommendations to improve micromobility infrastructure.
More Frequently
Asked Questions
If you’ve been injured in an accident, there are several important steps you should take to protect your health and legal rights
- Dial 911 – Emergency Services. Get checked out by emergency responders, even if you think injuries are minor, you should always get evaluated. If the accident involved a motor vehicle, file a report with the police This documentation could be important later on.
- Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to vehicles or property. Collect contact information from witnesses and others involved in the accident READ MORE…
When involved in a personal injury claim, the process can be very intimidating. Many individuals facing this situation are often dealing with life-altering injuries, high medical bills, financial hardships and find themselves feeling very vulnerable.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial in a variety of situations, particularly when you have sustained significant injuries or damages due to someone else’s negligenceREAD MORE…
After being injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering if you actually need to hire a personal injury lawyer. You would want to consult with an attorney, because in most cases, there will be an opposing party in your case that will be working against you. Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case is important to ensure you receive the best possible representation and outcome. Hiring a Denver Personal injury lawyer that specializes in that area of law is crucial, to ensure that you are getting proper representation, and your case is in good hands. Having an experienced lawyer like FIEDLER Trial Lawyers is helpful and provides powerful representation.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right lawyer:READ MORE…
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer can vary depending on the lawyer and the specifics of your case. However, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. Here’s how the contingency fee structure typically works and other potential costs to consider:
Contingency Fees: Percentage of Recovery: If the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, they will take a percentage of the settlement or judgment amount you receive if you win your case. This percentage is typically around 33% to 40% but can vary depending on the lawyer and the jurisdiction.
No Win, No Fee: If you do not win your case, the lawyer will not charge you for legal fees. However, there may still be other costs you could be responsible for (discussed below).RAED MORE…
In a personal injury claim, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, also known as damages, to address the losses and injuries you’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. The types of compensation typically fall into three main categories: economic, non-economic, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Here’s an overview of each:
Economic Damages: These damages are intended to compensate you for actual financial losses resulting from the injury:
Medical Expenses: Compensation for past, current, and future medical costs, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatment. READ MORE…
The value of a personal injury case can vary greatly depending on several factors unique to your situation. Since each case is different, there is no standard formula to calculate the exact value. However, here are some key factors that generally affect the worth of a personal injury case:
Severity of Injuries: The more serious and long-lasting your injuries, the higher the potential value of your case. This includes considering whether your injuries result in permanent disability or disfigurement.
Medical Expenses: Your case will take into account all medical expenses you have incurred, as well as future medical costs related to your injury.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: The case can include compensation for lost income due to time off work and any future loss of earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work.READ MORE…
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