San Antonio Scooter Accident Attorney

Here in San Antonio, we have a variety of scooter rental agencies. Bird, Lime, and Lyft are some of the most popular, but we also speak with clients who use:

• Blue Duck;
• JUMP;
• OjO;
• Spin; and
• VeoRide.

San Antonio passed an ordinance to keep scooters and other road users safe almost immediately upon scooters’ entry onto the city’s streets. It states that all scooter users must:

• Yield to pedestrians;
• Obey traffic laws;
• Use bike lanes when possible;
• Maintain a minimum distance of two feet from pedestrians when traveling on a sidewalk;
• Ride alone (carrying passengers is not allowed);
• Never drive on trails or in parks, creek ways, or plazas; and
• Never use a phone or other electronic device while driving.

Scooter users also need to obey some special rules when they park. Scooters should always be parked in an upright and orderly fashion to allow easy pedestrian access, leave a minimum of three feet of clearance on sidewalks, and not be parked in bike racks.

Scooter accidents occur for a variety of reasons; outside of the most immediately obvious (like being struck by another vehicle), many scooterists are injured due to:

• Road hazards – Plenty of road hazards present enough risk that, if a scooter struck them, they can lead to a serious accident. Potholes, tree branches, and even random objects in the road all may lead to a crash.
• Swerving – If you’re riding a small scooter, you’re definitely likely to swerve to avoid an oncoming risk. But even though you swerve in hopes of maintaining your safety, the maneuver itself can lead to a crash.
• Doorings – Doorings wind up injuring scores of motorcyclists and scooterists every year; they occur when vehicle riders unknowingly open doors into oncoming scooterists.

Several parties may be found liable following a scooter accident:

• A driver – If a negligent driver struck you while you were using a scooter, they are likely to be found liable for the crash.
• The scooter company – Sometimes, scooter accidents are actually traceable to scooter companies themselves. These crashes usually involve maintenance problems or malfunctions.
• The city – Some scooter accident cases even result in the city being found liable. One common example of this might involve potholes or similar road damage (or defects) leading to a crash.

No one can ever predict with certainty what damages a scooter accident victim will recover in court. Compensation depends on a myriad of factors and while some—like the total of medical bills—are relatively easy to calculate, others are less clear.

There are a host of damages that often crop up in scooter accident cases. Your attorney will be able to offer deeper and more personalized insight into your case, but compensable damages may include:

• Past, present, and future medical bills (some scooter accidents necessitate hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of medical care);
• Physical damage to your property in the accident;
• Emotional pain and suffering;
• Mental anguish;
• Reduced or lost earning ability;
• Disability;
• Disfigurement; and
• Death.

Before you start to worry about evidence, let us ease your mind: Some of the most valuable evidence in accident cases comes from the scene of a crash. That means that sometimes, if an accident is severe enough, victims and other involved parties do not have time to gather airtight evidence. This is perfectly okay. Our legal system understands the hectic nature of vehicular accidents and you will not suffer if the circumstances prevented you from collecting evidence at the scene.

With all of that said, there’s little doubt that some evidence can go a long way in helping determine a case’s outcome. If you’re able, try to acquire:

• Photos or videos of the scene of the crash (injuries, property damage, skid marks, etc.);
• Other drivers’ names and license numbers, contact information, and insurance information;
• Witness names, numbers, and statements;
• Cell phone records;
• Police reports; and
• Doctors’ chart notes and other medical reports.

Texas allows scooter accident survivors two years from the date of their accident to file a claim. If you did not notice your injuries right away, the date you discovered them marks the beginning of the two-year timeframe. The bulk of cases become invalid after two years.

Let’s err on the side of caution: Yes!

We believe that any victim of personal injury—be it from an auto or scooter accident, a slip and fall, or any other incident—deserves legal support and guidance. Experienced accident attorneys have the knowledge required to help scooter accident victims bring their cases in court. If you’re seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or any other losses you’ve experienced, a lawyer may help you.

Remember: Attorneys seek to empower their clients during the legal process. The traditional image of a hard-nosed or inconsiderate legal pro is out. Lawyers work diligently to help support and represent their clients the best they can.