E-scooters, short for electric scooters, are becoming increasingly popular on the busy streets of New York. These trendy, fun, and eco-friendly vehicles are popular means of transportation for New Yorkers to get from point A to point B. However, their growing popularity has brought new safety concerns, including increased e-scooter accidents. Determining liability in these cases can be complex due to the unique traffic laws surrounding these motorized rides and their novelty. Please continue reading to learn more about liability in e-scooter accidents in New York and how a determined New York City Auto Accidents Attorney can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
What Are the Most Common Causes of E-Scooter Accidents in New York?
If you choose to ride an e-scooter, taking the necessary precautions to mitigate the risks of accidents is essential. As such, familiarizing yourself with the most common causes of e-scooter accidents is crucial. Some common causes of e-scooter accidents in New York include:
- Failure to violate the rules of the road
- Failure to follow traffic signals
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driver inexperience
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Dangerous passing
- Excessive speeding
- Improper turns
Who is Responsible When an Electric Scooter Accident Occurs?
When an e-scooter accident occurs, fault typically lies with the party that acted negligently. E-scooter riders have certain obligations under New York law. They must adhere to traffic rules, such as those for motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians, to ensure rider and commuter safety. Therefore, they can only ride in designated areas, must be 16 years of age or older, and are prohibited from operating the machinery under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Violations of these regulations will apply when determining fault after an e-scooter accident.
If a motor vehicle driver fails to see an e-scooter rider and strikes them, they are likely negligent for failing to be aware of their surroundings while navigating the roadways. The e-scooter rider would file an insurance claim with the driver to seek monetary compensation for their damages. A pedestrian could also be liable if the pedestrian were crossing a roadway in violation of a traffic signal at the time of the accident.
However, if an e-scooter rider strikes a pedestrian on the sidewalk, the e-scooter rider is likely responsible for the accident. If the e-scooter rider was negligent in fulfilling their responsibilities, the e-scooter operator could be liable for the accident. In some cases, the e-scooter company can be held accountable if a product defect, malfunctioning machinery, or a related issue causes the accident.
If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident in New York, please don’t hesitate to contact a trusted attorney from Swerling Law, who can help you fight for the just compensation you deserve.
