Driving through Louisville you see scooters traveling on bike paths, sidewalks, and motoring through intersections. This summer has been no exception as scooter use has not only increased due to it being warmer but also the scooters have become more widely available. According to Louisville Open Data, from May 1st to June 29th of this year there were 100,902 scooter rides in the Louisville Metro Area. While they can be fun to ride, there are several things you need to think about before hopping on a Bird or a Lime, especially the risk of injury. Scooter accidents frequently result in sprains, road rash, and facial fractures. Even TCU’s kicker Cole Bunce has been in a collision with a car while on a scooter and missed the entire 2019 season because of his injuries from the accident. To help prevent these injuries, the City of Louisville has a few rules and recommendations for riders:
- One rider per scooter
- Must ride in roadways and in bike lanes or bike paths where available
- Must not ride on sidewalks
- Keep to the right of the rightmost lane, except when making left turns
- Yield to pedestrians
- Offer the right of way to bicycles in bike lanes
- Obey all traffic laws
- When parking, do not obstruct the walking area of the sidewalk or block building entrances
- Wear a helmet
But, what happens if taking these precautions does not work? Let’s say a car collides with you while you are on a scooter. How does the law apply to you as a rider? If a third party such as the driver of the car was the negligent cause of the collision, you can pursue a liability claim against the driver’s insurer and will also likely be entitled to receive personal injury protection benefits for treatment of your injuries from the driver’s insurer.
Just because you are injured while riding a scooter does not necessarily mean you are entitled to a recovery from an insurance company. In order to understand your rights, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney. Meagher Injury Lawyers offers free consultations for anyone injured while riding a scooter. Simply call us at (502) 309-9213 to schedule a free consultation.
Disclaimer:
This article is provided as an information resource and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified legal professional. In all cases, contact your legal professional for advice on any matter referenced in this article before making any decisions.
