Washington Scooter Accident Lawyer

Electric scooters are an eco-friendly and convenient form of transportation in Washington State, making them a popular choice for short commutes. However, scooter riders often face serious risks as they are forced to share the road with larger motor vehicles while having little to no protection available to lessen the severity of impacts in a collision.

This has contributed to scooter injuries, especially in Seattle. The city has had a total of 119 injuries in 2023, up from 100 in 2022. According to a local survey of over 5,000 scooter riders, it was found that 11 percent sustained bodily harm and 22 percent requested medical care. These cases demonstrate how e-scooter accidents are fairly common and can result in critical outcomes for those operating one. Victims often undergo a complicated process when seeking compensation or dealing with insurance companies. But, acquiring legal representation can help relieve the stress of balancing both factors. 

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Washington scooter accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience in the legal field, and a strong track record of delivering client satisfaction. Due to our successful efforts in settling favorable results, we are confident that our team will hold the responsible party accountable for the damages they caused. Let us step in to fight for your rights while you focus on recovering from the collision.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing until we settle your case. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can reach out to us by calling 206-222-8860 or completing our easy online contact form.

Why Do Scooter Accidents Happen?

Scooter accidents happen due to various reasons, with most of them stemming from rider behavior, environmental factors, and other road users. Let’s take a look at each one.

Driver Negligence

A scooter crash can be triggered by a negligent driver who exhibits lack of attention or care for traffic laws. Certain activities that can increase risks of a collision include:

• Failure to yield
• Distracted driving
• Exceeding speed limits
• Open car door accidents
• Impaired driving

Driver negligence can lead to severe outcomes for a scooter rider due to their vulnerability. It is important for motorists to exhibit responsible driving to maintain a safer road environment.

Road Hazards

Electric scooters are smaller and less stable compared to larger vehicles, meaning that they are more susceptible to loss of control if they interact with the following road hazards:

• Potholes
• Uneven surfaces
• Debris
• Wet or slippery surfaces

In addition, if no clear signages or markings are presented, it will make it difficult for e-scooter riders to safely navigate themselves and avoid potential dangers during commutes.

Defective Electric Scooter

A defective electric scooter can compromise a rider’s ability to properly direct themselves around traffic. Certain components that can increase the likelihood of a crash include:

• Brake failures
• Battery malfunctions
• Tire defects
• Loose handlebars

Such issues can often happen without warning, giving electric scooter riders less time to react promptly to abrupt movement or road hazards. Given the circumstances, liability may fall on manufacturers or rental companies who failed to inspect the condition of the motorized foot scooter before allowing the public to own or use one. As such, injured victims can pursue compensation against the at fault party by filing a lawsuit. 

Rider Inexperience

Rider inexperience involves having a lack of skill, knowledge, or judgment to safely operate an electric scooter. If you do not have any familiarity with its control system, you are bound to make mistakes that can put you at risk of sustaining serious injuries. It is important for scooter riders to train themselves before going out for a ride, especially in areas with heavy traffic. Depending on the nature of the accident, inexperienced scooters riders may be held liable for their actions. 

What Are the Most Common Scooter Accident Injuries?

Scooter accident injuries can range from minor to severe depending on the intensity of the impact. Some common forms of bodily harm that may appear soon after the crash include the following:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Scooter users are heavily encouraged to wear protective safety gear to reduce the severity of an injury.

What to Do After Scooter Accidents

After a scooter accident, knowing what to do next can play a significant role in your recovery and ability to acquire fair compensation. The moments following such a collision can be overwhelming, but incorporating the actions sectioned below can help you address immediate and long-term impacts of the incident.

Contact Local Authorities

Call 911 for emergency assistance if you notice any injuries or damages at the accident scene. Local authorities will arrive and conduct a police report. Paramedics may also be present to treat those who need immediate medical attention.

Document the Accident Scene

Be sure to collect evidence of the following:

• Photos of your injuries, damages, and the accident scene
• CCTV footage
• Witness statements
• A copy of the police report and your medical records

Exchange Information

Try to gather details from the other parties involved, like contact, insurance, and vehicle information.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if your injuries appear minor, it is important to seek medical attention immediately after the e-scooter crash. Sometimes, bodily damage will not be clearly evident until later on. So, it is important to detect the problem as soon as you can to prevent complications from arising. All of your doctor visits, medical prescriptions, and surgical procedures will be documented and saved on file.

You can request a copy of your medical records to use as proof that you sustained bodily harm and sought out assistance from a medical professional. Make sure you fulfill this step in a timely manner. If it gets delayed, the opposing side may argue that your injury could have been caused by another factor or it was not as serious as what you made it out to be.

Do Not Admit Fault

Do not discuss liability as this could drastically affect your scooter accident claim. Remember, anything you say or do will be used against you. So, be mindful of what you share whether it be in-person or online.

Consult with a Washington Scooter Accident Lawyer

If at any point you are struggling to file a personal injury claim to the responsible party, then it is recommended to consult with an attorney who is well-versed in these kinds of accidents. An experienced Washington scooter accident lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and options when looking at your case. Should they believe it is a viable case, they will develop a strategic approach while prioritizing your needs in mind to ensure they deliver satisfactory results.

E-Scooter Laws in Washington

As e-scooters continue to have a popular presence on the road, Washington has established several laws to ensure users are operating it safely during commutes. These regulations, listed below, are designed to promote responsible scooter use while lessening the risk of collisions.

Helmet Laws

While there is currently no state law that mandates helmet requirements for scooter riders, it is still encouraged to have protective gear on when traveling on the road to reduce the risk of serious head injuries in e-scooter accidents. Be sure to purchase a helmet that meets with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards.

Bike Lanes

Under RCW 46.20.500, motorized foot scooters are permitted on designated bike lanes at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. But, the law may provide flexibility for local jurisdictions to regulate their use further. For instance, some will allow a motorized scooter to be operated on sidewalks, whereas in other areas it may be prohibited. This approach allows cities and counties to incorporate their own unique infrastructure and needs. 

Riding on Sidewalks

RCW 46.61.710 restricts scooters to be ridden on a sidewalk unless there is no alternative route or it is permitted by a local regulation.

Determining Liability in a Scooter Accident

To determine liability in a scooter accident, you should gather as much evidence as you can and present it to a scooter accident attorney. They will assess the information provided and identify the at fault party. From there, they will help you prove negligence. This will require the following elements to be demonstrated:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care
• The defendant failed to meet that duty
• The defendant’s recklessness was the direct cause of your injuries
• You incurred losses as a result of the e-scooter accident

Since Washington State follows comparative negligence law, all parties will be evaluated to assess liability. Even if you are partially at fault for the incident, you can still recover damages. But, it will be adjusted according to the amount of negligence contributed. So, if the defendant was 80 percent at fault and you were 20 percent at fault, compensation will be reduced accordingly.

Possible defendants in an e-scooter accident case include the following:

• Motor vehicle operators
• Scooter manufacturer
• Electric scooter company
• Scooter rental company
• Government entity
• Other road users, like scooter riders and cyclists

Time Limit to File a Scooter Accident Claim

In Washington State, you are granted three years from the date of when the incident occurred to file a scooter accident claim. Try to obtain substantial evidence and seek legal representation from a qualified scooter accident attorney to better your likelihood of obtaining maximum compensation. If you are suing a government entity for poor road conditions that contributed to your e-scooter accident, you will be given six months to file an administrative claim with the appropriate government office.

They will review your submission and either have it approved or denied. You will have a 60-day wait period to hear back from them. If no settlement is reached within this time frame, you may file a lawsuit within three years of the date of when the crash took place. Be sure to act promptly to ensure you do not exceed the deadline. If this does happen, you will no longer be eligible to recover damages for the losses you incurred.

Available Damages in Electric Scooter Accidents

Available damages in an electric scooter accident will vary based on the unique factors involved. The following circumstances will be considered when establishing a settlement value:

• The severity of the injury
• Degree of fault
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Current and future medical bills

To learn what you could be entitled to, you can use our personal injury settlement calculator by inputting the expenses you sustained as a result of the scooter accident. Generally speaking, economic damages and non-economic damages are typically granted in these types of cases.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible, financial costs a person endures as a result of the e-scooter crash. This is meant to compensate victims for measurable expenses they incurred in the aftermath of the incident. This includes:

• Hospital fees
• Lost wages
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible, non-monetary losses that are harder to measure, like:

• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

These damages acknowledge the personal and emotional toll a victim may sustain after an electric scooter accident.

Our Washington Scooter Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help

Accident victims are given the right to take legal action against the at fault party to secure compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled Washington scooter accident lawyers are readily available to guide you through the legal process to ensure you submit a well-constructed claim and get the justice you deserve for your losses.

To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling 206-222-8860 or filling out our quick online contact form.