A new and different form of transportation is arriving in Chicago, and it is innovating people’s movements in a major city setting. Electric scooters, more commonly known as e-scooters, are the newest craze in an effort to reach a demographic of consumers who are looking for a quick, easy and fun way of getting around. Just like a bicycle or any other form of transportation, there is a learning curve associated with these scooters that most users are not aware of. Citizens and visitors of Chicago have dealt with nightmarish outcomes because of e-scooter injuries, sustained as both an operator and pedestrian. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury caused by an e-scooter, the knowledgeable attorneys at the Livas Law Group, A Division of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz, can provide guidance in seeking compensation.
Top Causes for E-Scooter Injuries
E-scooters are accessible to any patron who downloads the company’s smartphone app and is at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license. Knowing the laws of the road is critical to the safety of everyone involved with e-scooters. A common misconception with these motorized scooters is that they can be operated on any surface. The truth is that e-scooters are actually meant for streets and bike lanes only; they should never be used on a sidewalk. E-scooters can typically reach speeds of 15 mph, which makes them extremely dangerous to pedestrians and motorists that do not know how to safely operate them.
There are many possible scenarios in which a person could be injured in regard to e-scooters, but a majority of such incidents can be attributed to:
- Reckless driving by the motorist resulting in crashes and striking pedestrians;
- Road hazards not addressed by the city causing a direct injury to the driver, such as a pothole;
- Negligence on the part of the operator by not parking the scooter correctly, leaving it for pedestrians to trip and fall over; and
- A defect in the scooter itself resulting in unsafe riding conditions, such as a faulty brake system.
The e-scooter initiative is currently in a pilot test system in Chicago, as part of an effort to see if the city is prepared to incorporate this mode of transportation. Results from the test, so far, have shown skyrocketing popularity. Unfortunately, many safety regulations being largely ignored.
A necessary step in a pilot test is also to improve the program in any way possible. Chicago riders are required to photograph where they park after a ride to ensure the safety guidelines are being followed, and reminder text messages are phone calls are being issued to the motorists not following these regulations.
Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney
The convenience, low prices, quickness, and joy associated with e-scooters directly contributes to the ascending popularity of the new mode of transportation. Although forms of transit are significantly changing from the original taxi and bus systems, injuries related to e-scooters are drastically increasing, causing consumers to think twice. The Livas Law Group has obtained millions of dollars for our clients in regard to personal injuries and wrongful deaths related to auto collisions. Let our experienced and dedicated Illinois scooter injury lawyers help you with your compensation claim. For a free consultation, call our office today at 312-804-6102.
Sources:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/transportation/ct-biz-scooter-trial-rule-breakers-20190628-oxhtnu56g5bjtc3fq3rbanwofi-story.html
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/escooter-share-pilot-project.html
https://www.lyft.com/scooters/chicago-il/faq
Lightfoot moves to reform infamous Chicago workers’ comp program