Electric scooters are a fun way to get around the city for a day. These motorized vehicles ride alongside pedestrians on the sidewalks. The question that comes up when you think about this surrounds possible collisions with pedestrians. This can actually cause some very serious issues for everyone involved.
When you think about it, you can see where there might be a problem. The people riding the electric scooter are at the mercy of the braking system. Pedestrians might walk in front of the scooter and the rider might not have time to stop before hitting the person.
Scooters can go 15 miles per hour, while most pedestrians only walk three to four mph. When a scooter slams into the back of a person walking, both parties might be knocked down. This can lead to broken bones, head injuries and others that are just as serious.
While it is easy to say that people on these scooters just need to be more careful, this might be a tall order to fill. Anyone who wants to purchase one of these can do so without needing any special license. It is also possible to rent them in most major cities.
When a pedestrian is injured by an electric scooter, the question of liability is raised. Who should be responsible for the cost of the pedestrian’s medical bills? Is it the rider, the scooter manufacturer, the rental company or another entity? This is something that must be determined if the person is going to seek compensation for the damages associated with the accident.
