We have all seen those scooters which are all over the City during summer months. I have always thought of them as a death trap. They are also apparently a liability trap as well. I have seen many people driving these scooters without helmets, on the sidewalk. They are also driven often in the evening in areas of bars, leading one to think intoxicated individuals may be driving them.
Many people, particularly millennials, use them as a convenient way to travel from point A to point B. The Big scooter companies are Bird and Lime, and they make riders agree to cover their own liability. (For more on the insurance implications see this article: https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/guides/the-rise-of-the-escooter-and-the-need-for-micromobility-insurance-178639.aspx).
Most riders' home insurance would likely not cover them, and neither would their car insurance unless they have motorcycle insurance. For this reason, riders should be cautious before renting e-scooters.
Liability for an injury caused by an accident could be thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If the accident is caused by the driver, they likely would be liable.
The Companies appear to have coverage for faulty scooters, but otherwise riders appear to be on their own. That said, it seems like the Companies would be sued as well in the event a rider causes injury to a third part.
If you are injured in an e-scooter accident, please feel free to contact us.
The information contained in this article is not legal advice. No solicitor client relationship is formed through this article. The reader is encouraged to retain counsel for advice in these matters.
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