Did a Scooter Crash Into You on the Sidewalk?

E-scooters are a popular method of transportation, especially for younger people who do not want to own a car in Portland. However, scooters can be a real danger to the public. Too many riders travel on the sidewalk, which is already congested enough with pedestrians. A scooter can easily crash into unwary pedestrians and lead to significant injuries. If you were struck by someone on an e-scooter, you might seek compensation, but we encourage you to call our law office.

Liability for Scooter Accidents on the Sidewalk

The objective of a personal injury claim is to obtain monetary compensation for your injuries and pain. Someone hit by a scooter can break their leg, suffer a concussion, or sprain their back. These are traumatic accidents, since e-scooters can often obtain speeds of 25 miles per hour (and some go much faster).

The most obvious defendant is the person riding the scooter on the sidewalk. They should not be doing that, and they are liable when they crash into a pedestrian. Accidents are foreseeable, and a rider will be held liable for any accident they cause.

Unfortunately, there are some complications with suing the rider. For one thing, they probably do not have insurance. Oregon does not require that people purchase liability insurance before they ride an e-scooter the same way the state requires insurance for anyone owning a motor vehicle. Consequently, the rider could have no resources to pay any type of settlement. You can sue, but all you get is a piece of paper if you win your case. The rider is “judgment proof.”

Our firm will investigate whether the person riding the scooter has the resources to pay compensation. They possibly have money in the bank or other assets which are easy to reach.

We can also look for other sources of a settlement, such as whether the rider has homeowner’s insurance liability coverage. Sometimes that policy will cover accidents which take place off the property.

In a small number of accidents, the scooter might also be defective. Suppose the brakes fail, which is why you are injured in a collision. We might sue the manufacturer or, if the scooter was rented, the rental company. Rental companies have a duty to inspect their scooters before renting them to the public. Manufacturers also are liable when they sell a product with a design or manufacturing defect.

You can count on us to fully analyze a case. Our objective is to make our clients whole, which might require adding other defendants in addition to the rider.

Schedule a Consultation with an E-Scooter Accident Lawyer in Portland

E-scooters continue to increase in popularity. Both Lime and Lyft are in Portland, and there are more than 3,500 scooters in use. Call Rosenbaum Law Group, PC, to discuss any accident involving a scooter. Our firm has taken the lead in this emerging personal injury field, and we can discuss the likelihood you receive compensation. Schedule your free consultation with a Portland e-scooter accident lawyer today.

Sources:

portland.gov/transportation/regulatory/escooterpdx/rules

portland.gov/transportation/regulatory/escooterpdx/2024-update