Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
Scooter Accident Lawyer
It has been estimated by the Insurance Information Institute (III) that one in every eight drivers operates their motor vehicle without liability insurance. The numbers of uninsured drivers, are higher in some states than others. Florida and Mississippi, for example, have the highest rates of uninsured drivers, while Maine and New York experience a lower percentage of uninsured claims. Due to the number of accidents involving scooter injuries and deaths, the result of factors including poor operator skills, faulty mechanics and vehicular accidents, the controversial scooters are creating a web of news buzz, although it is unlikely they will be banned as unsafe anytime soon.
If you have been injured by an uninsured motorist while navigating a rented scooter, would your economic damages, i.e. medical bills and the loss of earnings, be covered by insurance? Because communities have devised their own unique provisions for the legal operation of a scooter, there is no single or even simple answer. In addition, the terms of your agreement with the rideshare company may play a role in matters of liability. Having said that, “The question of coverage should be your number one concern before you mount or request a lift in any type of rideshare vehicle,” says Charlie Ward, the scooter accident lawyer Indianapolis, IN turns to when transportation technology tests the boundaries of the law.
Electric rideshare rental scooters are a relatively new phenomenon. In 2018, before respective city councils were notified of an intent to do business, thousands of electric scooters were drop-shipped by rideshare companies into central business districts and onto university campuses. Municipal lawmakers were unprepared for the disruptions in pedestrian and street traffic created by hundreds and in some cases, thousands of scooters. While lawmakers were left scratching their heads, the safety and legal aspects of all concerned began to take root. Should scooters be restricted to sidewalks? Will bike lanes be transitioned to multi-modal purposes? Could rideshare operators be dispatched to the streets and avenues of already congested cities? How electric scooters are defined by your state or local community may determine how or if you are reimbursed for damages or covered by insurance, says scooter accident lawyer Ward.
The liability of rideshare start-up companies and third-party companies is evolving as states and municipalities negotiate terms and adopt rules. Following is a list of potential parties a scooter accident lawyer may look to for their client’s reimbursement for damages:
Medical Health Insurance Policy – Subject to co-pays and out-of-pocket costs, healthcare insurance should be the primary payer of medical bills for scooter accident victims. Healthcare providers do not cover the insured’s loss of earnings; costs associated with living with a permanent disability; or reimbursement for pain and suffering. An experienced scooter accident lawyer protects their client’s rights while seeking maximum reimbursement.
Your Uninsured/Underinsured Automobile Policy – Depending upon the state where the accident occurs, many automobile insurance companies specifically exclude coverage of rented rideshare vehicles, although an experienced scooter accident lawyer will review the accident victim’s insurance policy for any and all benefits their client may be entitled to recover.
Homeowners Insurance Policy – Rented scooters are often used during the course of doing business in city centers. Generally speaking, homeowner’s policies carry strict business exclusions and exclude injuries received off the property of the homeowner. An experienced scooter accident lawyer will thoroughly review your homeowner’s policy, reading between the lines for coverages that may exist.
Depending on the facts of the accident claim, and the jurisdiction where the accident occurred, there may be other sources of potential revenue for the scooter accident victim. If you have been injured or know of someone who died as a result of their injuries, contact an experienced scooter accident lawyer immediately after you have sought medical treatment. Do not discuss the accident with an insurance company or post images online or to social media accounts. Refer interviewing news outlets to your experienced scooter accident lawyer. Allow one of the Auto Accident Lawyers Indianapolis, IN residents trust to do their job: protect the interests of the injured and seek the maximum compensation for their client.
Thanks to Ward & Ward Law Firm for their insight into personal injury claims and scooter accidents.
