Electric scooters are a convenient and environmentally friendly way for just about anyone to ride around Lafayette. In fact, these vehicles are so convenient and easy to use that many people fail to consider how dangerous they can be. If riders are not careful, they can get into a crash with a car or lose control and fall off, resulting in severe injuries. Riders can also cause drivers and pedestrians to suffer severe injuries.
Crash victims may be able to pursue compensation for the injuries and damages they suffered, but the legal process for these cases may be complex. Galloway Jefcoat’s Lafayette electric scooter accident lawyers have detailed knowledge of state and local laws regulating the use of these vehicles. We know how to determine liability and build detailed cases for victims.
Our firm has been helping injured victims in Louisiana for more than 25 years. Founding partner John Jefcoat is a Lafayette Parish native who attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We have obtained millions for our clients and there are no upfront costs for our services. Call today to learn about the benefits of hiring an experienced lawyer.
Turning Wrong Into Right. Call for legal assistance:
337-984-8020.
How Does the Louisiana Government Define an Electric Scooter?
It is important to distinguish between electric scooters and other vehicles that are somewhat alike. In Lafayette Parish, an electric low-speed scooter refers to a vehicle with the following features/characteristics:
- Weighs less than 100 pounds
- Handlebars
- Electric motor
- The vehicle can only be powered by a motor or human power
- Max speed of 20 mph on paved, level surfaces
Companies like Bird and Lime make these types of scooters available in many cities in the nation.
Scooter operators must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
Where Can Electric Scooters Be Operated in Lafayette?
Electric scooters can be operated in any of the following places in the City of Lafayette or unincorporated Parish of Lafayette in bike lanes, sidewalks or any two-lane road that has a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
When these vehicles are operated on sidewalks, riders are required to yield to pedestrians or those in wheelchairs. Riders must also give an audible signal before they pass a pedestrian or a person in a wheelchair.
Riders cannot do any of the following while operating electric scooters:
- Ride between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Ride with more people than the scooter was designed to carry
- Attach themselves or the scooter to another vehicle
- Carrying anything that prevents them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars
- Operate two scooters at the same time
- Tow anything, including a scooter
- Text while on the move
Do I Have a Case for My Electric Scooter Accident?
If you were injured in an accident involving an e-scooter, and you have reason to believe the crash is someone else’s fault, there may be a case. However, there are many aspects that must be carefully considered to determine if you may be able to recover compensation. This is why victims should call an experienced law firm to find out if they may be able to initiate legal action.
The victim in a scooter accident could be the rider, a pedestrian or even a driver. For instance, drivers could swerve to avoid a scooter and crash into a car or fixed object. Our Lafayette electric scooter accident lawyers are prepared to take on any of these types of cases. The initial legal consultation with one of our lawyers is free of charge and there is no obligation to hire our firm for your claim.
Electric scooter accidents can cause devastating injuries to riders, pedestrians and drivers. Most people ride scooters without helmets or other protection. It is not recommended to do so, as falling off these vehicles while they are in motion could cause broken bones, head/brain injuries and long-lasting soft-tissue damage.
What Type of Accident Were You Involved in?
There are a variety of e-scooter crashes that may result in a claim for compensation:
Distracted Rider/Driver Accidents
Drivers are not the only ones who have their eyes or attention on something besides driving. Scooter riders may get distracted and stare at their phones instead of keeping their eyes on what is in front of them. This could result in a high-speed collision between a car and a scooter or a scooter and a pedestrian.
Intersection Accidents
Pedestrians, scooter riders and drivers need to be careful at intersections, particularly when turning or crossing the street. Drivers often do not keep an eye out for pedestrians, bicyclists or people on electric scooters. Scooter riders might try to cross when they do not have the right of way. Drivers might check for oncoming traffic when turning right but fail to look for pedestrians or e-scooter riders.
Sidewalk Collisions
This includes collisions between scooter riders and pedestrians, cars or fixed objects like storefronts or road signs. Neither scooter riders nor pedestrians have any protection from injury in a collision. Although e-scooters are slower than motorcycles, they can still go fast enough to generate a tremendous amount of force in a collision.
Some of the other types of scooter crashes involve:
- Potholes in the road
- Parked scooters blocking the road or sidewalk
- Too many people riding one scooter
- Mechanical issues with the scooter, such as failing brakes or a stuck throttle
If you were involved in these or any other type of scooter accident, call Galloway Jefcoat to discuss legal options.
Turning Wrong Into Right. Contact us today:
337-984-8020.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Scooter Accident in Lafayette?
Drivers, scooter riders and potentially pedestrians could be held liable for an e-scooter crash.
If the driver caused the crash, you may be able to seek compensation from his or her liability insurance. Louisiana is an at-fault state, which means drivers are financially liable for the damages they cause in a crash.
If you were a pedestrian and got hit by an electric scooter, you may be able to seek compensation from the liability insurance of the scooter rental company. Drivers may also be able to seek compensation from the rental company’s insurance policy if they were in a crash caused by a scooter rider.
Injured pedestrians and drivers might have a claim against the rental company itself if there was a problem with the scooter, such as failing brakes. The rental company may have known about the problem and failed to fix it or take the scooter out of service until the issue was fixed.
Scooter rental companies are required to maintain records of maintenance and repair activities for a minimum of three years. They must also maintain records of complaints from members of the public, such as complaints about mechanical problems with the scooters.
However, under regulations set by the City of Lafayette and Lafayette Parish, the following parties cannot be held liable for damages or losses related to the use of an electric scooter:
- City of Lafayette
- Parish of Lafayette
- Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government
Why You Need a Lawyer After an Electric Scooter Crash
There are many reasons why you need an experienced Lafayette electric scooter lawyer to manage your case.
Determining Liability
Sometimes the liable party may be obvious, such as if it is a driver. In these situations, our lawyers may be able to seek compensation from the driver’s liability insurance.
However, many other e-scooter accidents may be more complicated. For example, a scooter rider may have caused the accident because there was something wrong with the scooter. Maybe the brakes failed, or the throttle got stuck. In these situations, the e-scooter rental company may be responsible for providing a defective scooter.
Building a Case
Once liability has been determined, it is up to the victim to prove that another party breached a duty of care and connect the breach to the accident. This can be challenging if it is one party’s word against another’s.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we deal with these types of situations every day. We know how to gather evidence of liability for an accident. We also know how to provide strong evidence of the link between our clients’ injuries and the accident.
For example, we know how to gather evidence about a defective scooter and how to evaluate an accident to determine what happened. We can also bring in medical and accident experts to help build a case.
Managing the Legal Process on Your Behalf
When you hire our firm, you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Our attorneys manage the process on your behalf. We are dedicated to your best interests every step of the way.
That means you do not need to spend time talking to the insurance company or negotiating for compensation.
Filing a Lawsuit
While most cases are settled, sometimes the insurance company denies the claim or does not offer the compensation you need. In these situations, you may need to file a lawsuit to pursue the compensation you need. At Galloway Jefcoat, we have taken many cases to court and secured compensation for our clients.
You need an attorney with a record of success in the courtroom because it can motivate the insurance company to take the case more seriously. The insurance company will know there is a possibility of a lawsuit, and this might cause them to offer more compensation.
What Forms of Compensation May Be Available?
Electric scooter accidents can be incredibly dangerous. Falling off a scooter or getting hit by a car while riding a scooter could result in severe injuries, such as:
- Broken bones, including severe fractures in the arms or legs
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe knee injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- And more
These injuries can be quite expensive to treat, and some of these injuries could affect victims for several months or more. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries have the potential to affect victims for the rest of their lives.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we know how devastating personal injuries can be to your health, finances, and your ability to work. We also know there can be an emotional component to these injuries, as many victims experience physical and mental pain and suffering.
Our attorneys are committed to securing full compensation for all your damages, including:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Disability
- Home or vehicle modifications to accommodate a long-term disability
- And more
Contact Galloway Jefcoat’s Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers
Have you been injured in an electric scooter accident?
The accident may be a result of another’s negligence, and you may be eligible for compensation to pay for your hospital bills, lost wages and other damages. While compensation cannot change what occurred, it can be a vital part of the recovery process.
Galloway Jefcoat is committed to holding negligent parties accountable for damages suffered by injured victims. We have been a trusted advocate for the injured for more than 25 years.
There are no upfront costs. The initial legal consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation to hire our firm.
Galloway Jefcoat. Turning Wrong Into Right. Call today:
337-984-8020.
Lafayette Parish 
June 11, 2021