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Atlantans often utilize electric scooters as an economical and quick means of transportation; however, as with any motor vehicle they can be dangerous if misused.
Under Georgia law, it is unlawful for anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to ride a scooter and may result in severe penalties – similar to driving while impaired for cars.
Legal Issues
Although e-bikes and scooters might appear less tightly regulated than cars, they still fall under many of the same traffic laws. Operating such vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol could lead to severe legal ramifications.
E-scooter riders should familiarize themselves with how these laws operate and the penalties that can apply if violators break them. Law enforcement officials can administer field sobriety tests to anyone suspected of driving under the influence, which assesses coordination, balance and the ability to follow instructions.
Like car accident cases, those injured by scooters or e-bikes will need to demonstrate that the responsible party breached their duty of care in some way – for instance proving an e-scooter company didn’t maintain their products properly or that an automobile driver was distracted and caused an accident. Once proven negligent by evidence presented by accident victims they can obtain compensation.
Preventing a Crash
An accident with a scooter can result in devastating and life-altering injuries to your lower body, head and face – particularly vulnerable areas such as your lower limbs and face. Even with proper protective gear such as helmets in place, you could sustain lasting and debilitating wounds from such an encounter.
There are various steps you can take to help prevent electric scooter accidents and injuries, starting with prioritizing safety first. If injured, seek medical attention immediately at a hospital or urgent care center nearby.
Report your accident to the e-scooter company. Many have an app and customer service phone number where you can reach them directly to provide details of what has happened and any injuries sustained, while taking photos of any damages to both vehicles involved as well as damage done to yourself and any witnesses involved in your crash scene. Write down their contact info as well.
Getting Help After a Crash
After an accident occurs, it’s vital that swift actions be taken immediately. First and foremost, check for injuries. If anyone appears injured, call 911 immediately. Additionally, photograph the scene, including any damage done to scooters or vehicles involved.
Once you have received medical care, the next step should be contacting an Atlanta E-Scooter Accident Lawyer. An attorney can help identify who is at fault for the crash and help recover compensation from them.
Under Georgia law, any driver found operating any motorized vehicle while impaired may be held liable for your injuries. Furthermore, operating any such motorized vehicle while impaired can be illegal and the person could potentially face prosecution under these circumstances.
Another potential liable party could be the rental company of scooters. Without an effective system to monitor where riders park their scooters, these companies could be held liable for accidents caused by improperly parking scooters.
Recovering Compensation
Scooter accidents have become more frequent in Atlanta as companies like Bird, Lime and Spin offer eco-friendly transportation modes across many parts of the city. E-scooter accidents have been on the rise as companies like Bird, Lime and Spin make these convenient vehicles accessible in various parts of town – but when operated under the influence of alcohol or drugs they can become extremely hazardous and even deadly – Georgia law makes it illegal to operate any moving vehicle under any influence; this includes scooters and bicycles.
Injuryd victims involved in e-scooter accidents may be eligible to receive compensation from all negligent parties involved. Consulting with an attorney is key in recovering any due damages from those at fault.
An accident victim could use legal assistance from a personal injury attorney to recover compensation from their local government for poor road conditions that contributed to their crash, or secure uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage – providing coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. Furthermore, depending on the case a personal injury attorney could even file suit against any business responsible.
