Electric scooters provide people with a fun and economical way to get around. Some Massachusetts residents are choosing to travel by scooter instead of car to save on the cost of transportation. While there are benefits to this mode of transportation, traveling by e-scooter also comes with risks. Scooters do not provide riders with the safety features of a steel frame, seat belts, and airbags that protect drivers involved in collisions. After an accident, riders are often left with severe or even life-threatening injuries. If someone else’s negligence caused an electric scooter accident that led to you being injured, contact our Boston personal injury lawyers today. Jason Stone Injury Lawyers has advocated for victims like you for almost 20 years. We can evaluate your case for free and help determine whether you have a claim for compensation. Call us or start a live chat to schedule a free case consultation with a Jason Stone Injury Lawyers legal team member. To meet your needs, we can offer you a session over the phone, via Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts. Or we can come and meet you if you prefer.
What Jason Stone Injury Lawyers Can Do For You After A Construction Site Injury
01Notifying the responsible parties of your claim
02Canvasing the location of the incident for video cameras
03Photographing the defective condition
04Obtaining fact witness statements
05Securing medical care for you at a convenient location
06Ensuring your medical bills are submitted to the appropriate insurance companies for payment
07Responding to inquiries from insurance companies and medical providers for you
08Compiling and presenting a compelling account of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you have experienced
09Negotiating a resolution for an amount that makes you feel whole
10Resolving your case via arbitration or bringing your case to trial when we can’t recommend the settlement offer
We help all construction site injury victims with their premises liability claims, not just those with catastrophic injuries. If you’re concerned that your injuries aren’t significant, you should still call us to see how we can help. When you decide that you Better Phone Stone, there is no obligation, just information. The conversation is free and is a safe and inexpensive way to be confident you fully understand your rights after suffering from a construction site accident.
Our Massachusetts construction site accident lawyers have decades of experience in recovering damages for injured construction site accident victims. We look forward to reviewing your case and exploring your legal options. There are time limitations to be aware of, so please don’t wait to contact us. Call our office today at 800.577.5188 to schedule a free, online or in-person, no obligation consultation.
Causes of Massachusetts Electric Scooter Accidents
The increase in the use of electric scooters has brought with it a rise in dangerous incidents. According to an annual report, some 19 per 100,000 people were injured in scooter accidents in the US. The following are some common causes of electric scooter accidents:
- Left-hand turns: Many e-scooter riders have been hit by a driver making a sudden left turn in front of them.
- Blind spots: Due to their small size, electric scooters can be hidden in a motorist’s blind spot. This is especially true of semi-trucks which have extended blind spots.
- Dooring incidents: Scooterists have been injured when drivers or passengers unintentionally open a car door directly in their pathway.
- Lane splitting: Riding between the lanes of slow or stopped traffic is a dangerous practice that some scooterists engage in.
- Distracted driving: A motorist who is texting, looking at the GPS, or in some other way distracted could hit a passing scooterist. E-scooter riders could also cause accidents if their attention is divided while riding.
- Road hazards: Potholes, uneven surfaces, and loose gravel are just some of the road hazards that are dangerous to e-scooter riders.
- Tailgating: Electric scooter riders have just as much right to use designated roadways as other motor vehicles. However, some motorists may tailgate them or even try to run them off the road if they get impatient.
- Scooter malfunction: Faulty brakes, damaged handlebars, flat tires, and battery fires are just some of the types of scooter malfunctions that result in serious accidents.
Massachusetts Electric Scooter Accidents Can Result in Severe Injuries
Electric scooter injuries can be severe, especially if the accident occurred due to a negligent driver. Without the safety features of a car, scooterists are directly impacted by collisions which can result in devastating injuries. Common injuries are:
- Broken bones: After falling from a scooter or being hit by a vehicle, it is common for riders to sustain broken bones or fractures. Arms, knees, legs, and wrists are especially vulnerable.
- Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, not always immediately apparent after a crash, can cause significant pain and require a long recovery period.
- Facial injuries and scarring: Injuries to the nose, jaw, teeth, eyes, and other parts of the face are common in scooter accidents, especially if a rider is not wearing a helmet. These types of injuries can lead to scarring and disfigurement.
- Spinal injuries: One of the most severe types of scooter injuries is injuries to the spine, which can cause full or partial paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired bodily functions. Spinal injuries are often life-altering, leaving victims requiring extensive treatment and long-term care.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): These types of injuries are more prevalent among scooterists not wearing protective helmets. Riders can suffer from concussions, skull fractures, and brain bleeds.
Legal Options After a Electric Scooter Accident
01Establishing Liability Following a MA E-Scooter Accident
An essential part of any scooter accident claim or lawsuit is identifying all parties liable for your injuries. Negligent parties may include motorists, the electric scooter company, scooter parts manufacturers, government entities, or others. When determining liability and the value of your case, your scooter accident lawyer may take the following steps:
- Obtaining copies of the police accident report
- Evaluating road conditions, weather reports, and other external factors
- Speaking to eyewitnesses and obtaining testimonies
- Examining photo or video evidence of the incident, including traffic cam footage
- Requesting medical evidence and your treatment plan
- Acquiring wage statements to calculate your loss of income
- Consulting with accident reconstructionists and other experts
The scooter accident lawyers at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers understand the complexities of proving negligence in these types of claims. After taking on your case, our legal team will gather the information and evidence needed to determine the liability. Then, we will navigate negotiations and a fair settlement with all responsible parties and their insurance companies.
02What is Your Massachusetts Electric Scooter Case Worth?
The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely use various tactics to try to diminish the value of your claim. They may argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim or that they are from a prior incident. In other situations, they may try to claim that you are to blame and liable for the collision. A Massachusetts scooter accident lawyer can accurately calculate the value of your claim and ensure that the insurance company does not pay out less than what you are owed. Factors that could affect how much your claim is worth are:
- The extent and severity of your injuries
- Whether your injuries are long-term or permanent
- The cost of your past and estimated future medical expenses
- The value of your lost income
- How the accident and injuries have affected your daily physical, mental, and emotional health
03Types of Damages Available to Massachusetts Electric Scooter Accident Victims
At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we work for the maximum compensation possible to cover the damages you incurred due to someone else’s negligence. The following types of damages may be recoverable following a Massachusetts electric scooter accident:
- Current medical bills and future medical treatment
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Home health care or assisted living
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
If you have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in a scooter accident, our personal injury lawyers may be able to help you file a claim to recover wrongful death damages. These may include compensation for funeral expenses, burial costs, loss of support, and more.
04Can You Recover Damages If You Are Being Blamed for a Massachusetts Electric Scooter Accident?
Most e-scooter riders are aware of the potential risk of injury. Some scooterists drive recklessly or carelessly, putting themselves and others in danger. It is not surprising that insurance companies often try to blame the e-scooter rider for the accident and resulting injuries.
What if an insurer is saying that you are fully or partially to blame for an electric scooter accident? This does not necessarily mean that you cannot recover compensation for damages.
Massachusetts has adopted the comparative negligence rule. Under this law, a person or party is able to recover damages for negligence if he or she is less than 51 percent at fault for the incident. You are only barred from receiving any form of compensation if it is determined that your percentage of fault is 50 percent or more.
The amount of compensation you are awarded will then be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $10,000 but are found to be 20 percent liable, you will receive $8,000 in damages.
It is important to have a personal injury attorney on your side if you are being accused of contributing to or causing the accident. A lawyer will defend your rights and ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company.
05How Long Do You Have to File a Massachusetts Electric Scooter Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations in Massachusetts gives electric scooter accident victims 3 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, you will most likely lose your chance to recover compensation.
While exceptions to the three-year deadline are rare, there are some situations that may allow you to file after the statute of limitations has passed. For your best chance at recovering compensation, it is best to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
06Our Experienced Massachusetts Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
If you have been severely injured in a Massachusetts electric scooter accident, you do not have to go through this difficult time alone. Let our personal injury attorneys handle the details of your claim while you focus on your recovery.
Jason Stone Injury Lawyers has almost two decades of experience assisting personal injury accident victims. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we want to help you too. Our lawyers protect our clients’ rights aggressively and do not back down until our clients receive the full amount they are owed.
Our law firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay any upfront costs or fees. As part of our Stone Cold Guarantee®, we do not get paid unless you get paid.
Call us 24/7 to schedule a free case evaluation. When you come to talk with us, There’s No Obligation, Just Information®.
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