Indiana Scooter Accident Lawyers
Whether rented from services like Lime, Bird, and Veo or purchased online or in stores located throughout the State of Indiana, electric foot scooters or “e-scooters” promise an economical, environmentally friendly, and “fun” way to get around town. Unfortunately, the recent rise in popularity of scooters has come with a simultaneous rise in scooter accidents, with one Indianapolis hospital recording a 400-percent spike in scooter-related visits in 2021.
And because scooters do little to protect riders as they zip along busy sidewalks and streets, the injuries that might be sustained if something goes awry can be catastrophic, potentially necessitating prolonged treatment that few could afford by themselves. However, compensation may be available if someone else is at fault for your scooter accident, and you could increase the amount you obtain by reaching out to the scooter accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group, PC, a dedicated Indiana personal injury law firm whose experienced attorneys have been fighting on behalf of the wrongfully injured since 1998.
For a free case review with a knowledgeable Indiana scooter accident lawyer, please call our office at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now.
Why Scooter Accidents Are So Punishing
Modestly powered by batteries and featuring relatively slim platforms for rider support and twin handles for steering, electric scooters could easily be dismissed as toys instead of vehicles worthy of respect, but that would be a grave mistake. With many models achieving velocities of 35 miles per hour or more, scooters are more than capable of harming anyone in their path.
But the greatest harm may be inflicted on scooter riders whenever accidents occur, as they frequently will thanks to the very same qualities that make scooters appealing. For example, the lightweight frames that allow for almost instantaneous stops could also make rear-end collisions more likely, while their two-wheel designs can significantly reduce scooter stability and tip or throw riders with the slightest agitation.
Moreover, the lack of shielding that might feel exhilarating when scooters are in motion can be devastating when riders crash into metal and asphalt at top speed and may result in such punishing injuries as:
- Head, neck, and back trauma
- TBIs and concussions
- Lacerations, contusions, and “road rash”
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Loss of consciousness/coma
To make the situation worse, the fact that states like Indiana don’t require adult riders to wear helmets can often transform what might otherwise have been minor injuries into major or even fatal ones.
In light of how vulnerable scooter riders can be, it is incumbent upon the drivers of cars and trucks to try to accommodate them by giving them extra room, looking out for them, and slowing down more gradually when they are around. Nevertheless, far too many motorists ignore these obligations and may therefore subject riders to the kinds of serious injuries for which they might benefit from the assistance of our team of veteran Indiana scooter accident attorneys.
Common Causes of Scooter Accidents
Though every scooter accident in Indiana is unique, you will generally have to demonstrate that somebody else is responsible for yours if you hope to pursue a personal injury case over it, and a viable claim usually involves some error on the part of a driver, such as:
- Speeding
- Tailgating/following too closely
- Distraction
- Fatigue
- Intoxication
- Abrupt lane changes
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Not checking blind spots
- Swerving into or cutting off a rider
- Opening a door in front of a scooter (dooring)
Sometimes external factors like poor surface or weather conditions may play a role too, hindering traction or visibility to a dangerous degree. Yet no matter what caused your scooter accident, you can trust Hensley’s skilled Indiana scooter accident lawyers to determine the wisest plan of action for your case.
What to Do After a Scooter Accident in Indiana
An Indiana scooter accident can be deeply disorienting, but what you do in the immediate aftermath could have a profound impact on your claim, so it is important to gather your wits and:
- Move to a safe place – Since you might get into another accident if you linger in traffic for too long, move to a safe place before attempting to do anything else.
- Alert the police – If police and emergency personnel don’t show up on their own, dial 911 to request their presence, and be sure to tell the responding officer everything that happened so that an accurate report will be written.
- Seek medical attention – Don’t delay in seeking medical attention, ideally from paramedics in attendance or at the closest emergency room, as gaps in care could cast doubt on the causal relationship between the scooter accident and your injuries.
- Snap photos and shoot videos – Contemporary visual documentation of the accident site could be invaluable in cataloging your damages and assigning blame.
- Exchange information – Before departing from the scene, don’t forget to exchange essential information with the individuals who injured you and anyone who witnessed it, such as:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Vehicle year, make, and model
- License plate
- Insurance policy details
- Avoid insurance companies – While the insurance companies for the liable parties will typically be your primary sources of fiscal recovery, you may want to avoid them for the moment because anything you say to them could be used to undermine your claim. Instead…
- Talk to an attorney – A seasoned lawyer will go over the events leading up to your accident, answer your questions, and explain what you can expect if you proceed with a case.
How Hensley’s Indiana Scooter Accident Attorneys Can Help
A scooter accident can turn your world upside down, overwhelming you with escalating demands on your finances and making it tougher to earn the funds to meet them, but the Indiana scooter accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group can help.
If you decide to hire Hensley, we will launch a comprehensive investigation into your scooter accident to identify the defendants who may have contributed to it, a group that could be more extensive than you might think. Depending upon the underlying circumstances, the list of candidates might include the:
- Driver who struck you
- Owner of his or her vehicle
- Business deploying that vehicle commercially
- Scooter rental service
- Manufacturer, distributor or retailer of a defective scooter or component
- Government agency with authority over a roadway in disrepair
Regardless of how many defendants there ultimately are, a tenacious Indiana scooter accident lawyer will establish valid claims and possibly file suit against them all, then amass the materials needed to prove their negligence, such as:
- Police reports
- Citations and dispositions
- Eyewitness statements
- Black box data
- Call logs
- Driving and maintenance histories
- Forensic analysis and accident reconstruction
Once an airtight case has been assembled against each of the defendants, we will negotiate tirelessly with their insurance carriers in order to get you compensated for the full spectrum of your losses, including your:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional impairment
- Mobility limitations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished joy of living
- Loss of consortium (if applicable)
When faced with compelling evidence of both your damages and a defendant’s misconduct, a sensible insurer may agree to tender a generous settlement so that a disastrous verdict can be averted, though we aren’t afraid to take your case to trial if an insufficient offer is made. This sets us apart from many of our competitors, who rarely see the inside of a courtroom.
If you are reluctant to spend more money after spending so much already, you should be aware that our firm operates on a contingency basis. This means that you won’t have to pay us anything unless our Indiana scooter accident attorneys win your case.
What was probably intended as a short trip on a scooter may have begun to seem like an endurance test that won’t ever come to an end, but Hensley will do whatever it takes to guide your journey to a satisfying conclusion.
Our Indiana Scooter Accident Lawyers Will Be Here for You
Hensley Legal Group has been making a difference in the lives of hardworking Hoosiers just like you for more than 25 years. If you have been badly hurt on a scooter in Indiana and have no idea what to do next, our Indiana scooter accident lawyers will be here for you.
You can schedule a complimentary consultation with an accomplished Indiana scooter accident attorney by calling our office at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form today.