With more and more people using bird scooters in Las Vegas, the chances of getting into an accident are increasing. If you are one of the unlucky ones who has been injured in a Bird scooter accident, you may be wondering about your legal options.
A bird scooter accident attorney in Las Vegas can tell you more about your rights if you’ve been injured. If you have injuries and they were caused by another party’s negligence, you have the right to compensation under Nevada law.
Causes of Bird Scooter Accidents in Las Vegas
There are several causes of Bird scooter accidents in Las Vegas, whether triggered by car drivers or the scooter riders themselves. They include:
Distracted Driving
Many Las Vegas accidents occur because people are distracted while driving. Distracted driving is when someone engages in another activity while driving, which interferes with their ability to safely operate their car. This includes activities such as texting or talking on the phone, applying makeup, and eating or drinking while driving.
By engaging in these activities, the driver may not see an incoming scooter or rider, which could lead to an accident. Looking away from the road for just five seconds, for instance, doubles the risk of crashing.
Unsafe Speeds
Most Las Vegas bird scooter riders are used to hitting speeds of at least ten miles per hour on the roadway. However, many of these same drivers are not experienced at riding on scooters that can go up to fifteen miles per hour.
People often have trouble controlling their bird scooters. This causes them to ride too fast and lose control, often resulting in a collision with another scooter or a person.
Failing to “Yield the Right-of-Way”
A scooter rider must ride as close as possible to the right side of the road, going in the same direction as traffic. However, if a rider needs to pass a vehicle, they must first slow down and pass on the left.
Riders should not move back to their original lane until they safely pass the car. If they fail to follow these rules or other drivers fail to see them, there could be an accident.
Faulty Equipment
Since riders are not required to wear helmets in Las Vegas, many injuries occur due to the person’s head hitting the pavement during an accident. Instances of people being injured because their Bird scooter suddenly malfunctioned, which caused them to lose control and fall off have also been reported. These malfunctions could be due to faulty parts or improper maintenance.
Riding Recklessly
Some Las Vegas bird scooter accidents are caused by reckless drivers who fail to follow road rules. This can include speeding, running red lights or stop signs, turning at unsafe intersections, or not stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks. This could result in collisions, even when the drivers have the right of way, leading to severe injuries.
Rider Fatigue
Riding a scooter can be tiring, especially if you’re not experienced at riding it for long. If you are tired while driving your scooter, your reaction time will slow down, leading to accidents that result in serious injuries or death for the rider.
What Are Your Legal Options After Being Injured in a Bird Scooter Accident in Las Vegas?
If you have been injured in a Bird scooter accident in Las Vegas, several legal options may be open to you, depending on your situation. These include the following:
Negotiating with the Other Party’s Insurance Company
Even if it doesn’t feel like the right thing to do, you may want to try negotiating with the other person’s insurance company. You can ask for their insurance information so that you can contact them and try to negotiate a settlement without hiring an attorney first.
If they refuse to talk or give you oral or written demands too low, then consider hiring an experienced Las Vegas injury attorney to represent you.
Hiring a Las Vegas Scooter Accident Lawyer to Represent You
Las Vegas scooter accident attorneys are experts at negotiating with insurance companies. In fact, most of their cases come from people who have been injured in scooter accidents and tried to handle the situation themselves but didn’t get the proper results. You will get representation in negotiating with a third-party claims adjuster so that you can obtain a maximum settlement amount for your injuries.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against Riding Partners
If the other person who caused the accident was also riding a scooter, then it may be possible to file a claim against them in addition to or instead of filing with their insurance company. To prove fault, you will need to show that they triggered the accident when they cut in front of you or made a dangerous maneuver that caused you to crash your scooter.
Filing a Product Liability Claim Against the Scooter Manufacturer
If you were injured due to faulty equipment on the scooter, you might file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the scooter or its parts. You would need to hire an attorney experienced in these claims and show that the equipment was defective, leading to the accident.
Filing a Negligence Claim Against the City of Las Vegas
In some cases, scooter accidents can be caused by hazardous road conditions or poorly placed traffic signals for scooters. In these cases, you may have a negligence claim against the city, as they were supposed to maintain safe roadways and intersections.
Filing a Negligence Claim Against the Person who Rear-Ended You
If you were rear-ended and injured, your claim may be against the person who rear-ended you, as they could have been distracted by their cell phone or speeding. However, depending on the accident’s severity, it may also affect your claim with the scooter manufacturer if you were rear-ended by a car and the scooter steering mechanism was faulty, leading to your injury.
Las Vegas Bird Scooter Accident Lawyers Can Help
Las Vegas injury attorneys understand that Bird scooter accidents can be severe and lead to life-threatening injuries. If you were injured in a Bird scooter accident due to someone else’s negligence, avoid handling the matter alone.
Instead, contact Pacific West Injury Lawfor a free case evaluation. We will work with you to determine the best legal options and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
