Tampa, Florida Scooter, E-Scooter & Moped Accident Attorney Near You

Injured? Discuss Your Legal Rights with a Florida Scooter Accident Lawyer for Free

As scooters and electric scooters (e-scooters) become increasingly common, so do scooter and e-scooter accidents. These accidents can result from a variety of different causes, and if you’ve been injured in an accident, determining the cause of the accident will be one of the first steps toward filing a successful claim. This involves hiring a board-certified Florida scooter accident attorney to conduct a thorough investigation and establish fault.

We represent victims in motorized scooter and e-scooter claims throughout Florida with no upfront costs and no win no fee guarantee. We handle moped accident claims as well. Accidents involving scooters, e-scooters, and mopeds can leave victims suffering from serious injuries—and these injuries can lead to substantial economic and non-economic costs, including rehabilitation coverage, disability benefits, and wrongful death damages.

Scooters are two-wheeled or three-wheeled devices with a foot pedestal (the “deck”) and a handle attached to a vertical pole. While scooters used to be primarily used as toys, they have also become popular as a means of transportation in recent years, especially in urban areas and beach towns where portable, eco-friendly options are in demand.

E-scooters have electric motors that propel them forward using battery-powered systems with GPS tracking and geofencing technology. Rather than using their feet to push off the ground, e-scooter riders have a speed controller on the handle. Typically, this operates similarly to the throttle on a motorcycle, with the rider twisting one of the hand grips to drive the e-scooter forward. To use an electric scooter, a user must download an app, enter their credit card information, and then find and scan a scooter using QR code scanning for per-minute pricing in a dockless system. The E-scooter can then be left at the user’s destination in designated parking areas. E-scooters can travel up to 20 mph and will be permitted on sidewalks only. Due to the growth in popularity of E-scooters, many companies now offer short-term rentals through sharing services in major cities like Tampa, Florida. These companies include:

• Bird
• Jump
• Lime
• Lyft
• Skip
• Spin
• Uber

Mopeds are also two-wheeled transportation devices. However, they can be distinguished from scooters by two main characteristics: First, mopeds generally have a seat, whereas scooter riders stand on the deck. Second, mopeds typically have larger gas or electric engines, with greater battery range and weight capacity, which typically means that they can reach higher speeds than scooters as well.

Segway is the brand name of a self-balancing transportation device that became popular around 2010. Today, Segway sells several types of transportation devices, including e-scooters, e-mopeds, and even golf carts and e-bikes. It still sells its self-balancing devices as well, and it describes these as “self-balancing scooters.” Thus, when most people refer to “a Segway,” they are referring to an e-scooter.

While E-scooters may be convenient, they are certainly not the safest mode of transportation due to unsafe design features and risky operating conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that there has been a recent uptick in emergency room visits for fractures, dislocations, and head trauma since the scooters have hit the streets of cities across the country. The CDC found that 45% of accidents involving scooters resulted in head injuries that could have been prevented with proper helmet law compliance and protective gear requirements.

Many of these injuries result from the fact that riders are not wearing protective gear when they use scooters. While typically, riders agree that they will wear a helmet when they sign in to use an E-scooter, the reality is that most riders are not wearing any protective gear. This makes them particularly vulnerable to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and road rash.

Negligent drivers can cause accidents with scooters through reckless, careless, and inattentive behavior. Because scooters have a low profile, they can be difficult for a driver to see, especially if the driver is not paying attention to their surroundings or operating in low-light conditions with limited visibility. Drivers need to respect an E-scooter’s space, especially when they are operating in crosswalks and bike lane access areas where pedestrian interaction and cyclist conflicts are common. A failure to do so can result in catastrophic injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and amputation.

Are Electric Scooters Dangerous?

Electric scooters, or e-scooters, have become a popular mode of transportation in cities across Florida and beyond. They offer a convenient, eco-friendly way to travel short distances and are often used for daily commutes or leisurely rides. However, the increase in e-scooter usage has also led to a rise in accidents and injuries. If you’ve been injured while riding an electric scooter, it’s important to understand the risks and know your rights so you can pursue maximum compensation for your recoverable damages.

Although electric scooters can be a convenient form of transportation, they come with inherent dangers due to their speed, size, and lack of physical protection for riders. Here are some of the most common risks associated with electric scooters:

• Lack of Stability and Balance: E-scooters are typically lightweight and can be difficult to balance, especially at higher speeds or on uneven surfaces and hazardous roadway conditions.
• Limited Visibility: Due to their low profile, e-scooters can be hard for drivers to see, especially in heavy traffic or low-light conditions where visibility enhancement is critical for safety.
• Speed and Braking Issues: E-scooters can travel at high speeds but often lack effective braking systems and proper braking system safety features, which can lead to sudden accidents.
• Inexperienced Riders: Many e-scooter riders are new to this mode of transport, making them more susceptible to losing control or misjudging traffic conditions and violating speed limit regulations.

Regardless of whether you are riding a Segway, Vespa, or any other type of scooter, e-scooter, or moped, you face injury risks every time you hit the road (or the sidewalk). If you need a scooter injury lawyer or moped accident lawyer in Tampa, you are not alone. Accidents are extremely common, and while some of these accidents are fairly minor, many result in serious injuries that require immediate medical care and diagnostic testing, including X-rays and MRI scans.

Some of the most common causes of scooter, e-scooter, and moped accidents include:

• Car and truck driver negligence (i.e., speeding and distracted driving) as well as impaired and drunk driving
• Poorly marked crosswalks and poorly-timed stoplights
• Poorly timed stoplights and crossing signals
• Hazardous sidewalks and roads with surface condition hazards
• Inadequate rental e-scooter maintenance by rental companies and sharing services
• Scooter and moped malfunctions, including defective and malfunctioning components that create product liability claims
• Lack of safe pedestrian and bicycle lanes, creating dangerous conditions for crosswalk safety
• Weather-related risks that affect visibility and control
• Premises liability issues including road defect claims and municipal liability for unsafe infrastructure

Regardless of why a scooter, e-scooter, or moped accident happens, it can have serious consequences. Riders usually have little (if any) protection, and the result of an accident can cause serious external and internal trauma. These accidents commonly result in injuries such as:

• Head Injuries: Without a helmet, riders are vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries in the event of a fall or collision that may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Falls from an e-scooter often result in broken arms, wrists, and legs due to the impact with the ground, requiring immediate medical treatment and physical therapy.
• Road Rash and Lacerations: Sliding across pavement can cause severe abrasions and cuts, which may require medical treatment and lead to scarring and permanent disfigurement.
• Spinal Injuries: E-scooter accidents can also lead to serious back and neck injuries that may have long-term consequences, including paralysis and permanent disability requiring ongoing care.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage requiring emergency surgery and extended hospital stays.
• Nerve and soft tissue (muscle, ligament, and tendon) damage that may require physical therapy and prescription pain management
  
• Severe cuts and bruises
• Torn ligaments and fractured bones requiring surgical intervention
• Psychological and mental trauma from the accident experience

Florida has several laws that apply to scooter, e-scooter, and moped accidents. One of the most important of these laws is Florida’s law on general negligence.

In Florida, individuals, companies, and government agencies all owe a duty of care to avoid causing unnecessary accidents and injuries. What exactly this duty means varies in different circumstances; but, as a general rule, if a person or entity causes an accident that could—and should—have been avoided, that person or entity can be held liable for the victim’s injuries and must compensate the injured party for all recoverable and compensable damages.

This applies to scooter, e-scooter, and moped accidents. If you were injured in an accident that was a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to just compensation for your injury-related costs, including comprehensive damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. As we discuss below, these costs (your “damages”) can take several forms, and they can add up to make it well worth hiring a Florida scooter injury lawyer to file a claim and prove negligence to establish fault for your accident.

Another important law in scooter, e-scooter, and moped accident cases is Florida’s law on “modified comparative negligence.” This law took effect in 2023. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you may recover a portion of your losses if you were 50% or less at fault in an accident; but, if you were more than 50% at fault, you are not entitled to any financial compensation under the at-fault party liability determination system.

Due to Florida’s new modified comparative negligence law, insurance companies will try to blame scooter, e-scooter, and moped accident victims for their own injuries in many cases, using aggressive tactics to minimize payouts and deny valid claims. Overcoming these allegations requires clear evidence of liability, and, to make sure you have the evidence you need, you should hire a scooter accident lawyer near you as soon after your accident as possible to collect evidence, interview witnesses, and conduct accident reconstruction to prove your case.

Are Electric Scooters Regulated in Florida?

Florida has regulations for e-scooter use, including speed limits and helmet requirements for minors, but enforcement of these laws varies. While many cities allow scooters to operate in designated areas, accidents can still occur on roads and sidewalks, often involving pedestrians, cyclists, or motor vehicles. These accidents highlight the need for stricter oversight and enforcement to ensure the safety of all road users and proper compliance with helmet law requirements and speed limit violations.

Speaking of the insurance companies, recovering just compensation for a scooter, e-scooter, or moped accident involves filing an insurance claim in most cases. Auto liability policies cover these accidents, and companies’ and government agencies’ insurance policies cover accident-related injuries as well, including personal injury protection and medical payments coverage under various policy limits.

If you have auto insurance and you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage under your policy, you may be able to use this coverage if you don’t have any better options to pursue maximum compensation when the at-fault party lacks adequate insurance or coverage limits. At least one Florida court has held that UIM insurance covers e-scooter accidents in certain scenarios. When you speak with a Florida scooter accident attorney at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk about your case, your attorney will carefully examine all of your options for seeking just compensation, including analyzing insurance policies, identifying all liable parties, and pursuing multi-party claims when appropriate.

No matter what type of claim (or claims) you can file, there are some important steps you need to try to take after a scooter, moped, or e-scooter accident in Florida. To protect your legal rights, you should:

• Get Medical Treatment – Getting the treatment you need (and having a doctor document your injuries) is important for protecting your health and your legal rights. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it’s important to get a full medical evaluation after an e-scooter accident, including diagnostic testing, X-rays, and medical record review to establish the full extent of your injuries.
• Take Notes – If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to the e-scooter. Collect witness contact information if available and preserve evidence through photographs and witness interviews. Write down everything you can remember about the accident. The more details you can write down, the better.
• Report the Accident – Notify the e-scooter company and, if the accident involved another vehicle or pedestrian, file a police report to create official documentation for your insurance claim filing and legal case.
• Talk to a Florida Scooter Lawyer – A qualified e-scooter attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from the accident through aggressive representation and expert witness testimony.  Scooter and moped accident cases present some unique challenges, so it will be important to have an experienced lawyer on your side who can evaluate your case, advise you on your legal options, and maximize your recovery through skilled settlement negotiation or trial representation. Contact us.

When you hire a Florida scooter crash lawyer at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk to represent you, your lawyer will use his or her experience to carefully calculate the damages you may be entitled to recover and assess the full value of your compensable losses. Florida law allows scooter and moped crash victims to seek just compensation for all of their injury-related losses, including common losses such as:

• Medical expenses (current and future), including surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and rehabilitation coverage.
• Other out-of-pocket costs (current and future) and property damage claims.
• Loss of income (current and future), including disability benefits for those unable to return to work.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma, including psychological and mental anguish from the accident.
• Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disability, including paralysis and amputation injuries.
• Loss of companionship, consortium, services, and support.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful death damages for families who have lost loved ones in fatal scooter accidents.

$290,000 / Motor Scooter / Left Femur Fracture

Our client was on his moped delivering food when he stopped for traffic ahead of him at a cross-walk. The vehicle behind him failed to pay attention to traffic ahead of him and hit the rear of the client’s moped with the front of the vehicle he was driving. Our client sustained a severe left femur fracture, requiring an open reduction and internal fixation. Prior to litigation, an offer of $165,000 was made, which was promptly rejected. The case was transferred to litigation. After several months of litigation, an offer of $200,000 was made at the mediation settlement conference. That offer was rejected. After several more months and weeks before trial, the offer was increased and settled for $290,000.

$11,100,000 / Motor Scooter / Brain Injury

The jury verdict obtained by our firm underscores the critical need for drivers to remain vigilant in observing motorcyclists. Our client was operating his motor scooter on the Melbourne Causeway (US 192) when he was struck from behind by the negligent driver. This incident resulted in a traumatic brain injury that caused significant brain damage. He incurred medical expenses exceeding $800,000 and faced considerable limitations due to the injury. We proceeded to trial, and on the evening of August 11, 2011, a jury in Brevard County awarded our client nearly $15 million. The jury determined that our client was 25% comparatively negligent for not wearing a helmet, leading to a net verdict of over $11.1 million. We successfully collected the full amount of the insurance proceeds.

Additionally, we initiated a “bad faith” claim against the insurance company in an effort to recover the judgment amount that surpassed their policy limits. We also filed a lawsuit against other parties believed to have contributed to our client’s severe injuries, which ultimately resulted in a significant settlement. We are optimistic that these outcomes will provide our client with the necessary medical treatment and ongoing care throughout his lifetime.

$100,000 Recovered – Electric Scooter Accident

Our client, who was 19 years old at the time of this accident, was traveling south on her electric scooter across 54th Ave. South in St. Petersburg, FL. The defendant was operating a Honda HRV was traveling eastbound on 54th Ave. South and was attempting to make a left turn onto 31st Street South. Unfortunately, the defendant failed to yield the right of way to our client and collided with her electric scooter causing our client to be thrown onto the hood of the defendant’s vehicle and then onto the hard pavement.

Our client was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she was treated for numerous injuries including a facial fracture, left knee pain and lower back pain. She followed up with an injury physician who prescribed MRI studies for her knee and lower back. The knee MRI unfortunately showed a partial tear of the ACL ligament, and the lower back scan showed two herniated discs.

We prepared a demand package for the defendant’s insurance company which detailed all the injuries our client had suffered and how those injuries had affected her life. We were able to convince the insurance company to tender the $100,000.00 limit under its policy. We also negotiated hard with our client’s medical providers, including the hospital which had a large bill. Ultimately, we were able to cut the bills in half which saved our client a significant sum of money. Our client was very pleased with the outcome which provided her with much needed compensation.

$100,000 Electric Scooter Settlement

Our client was traveling northbound on 52nd Street in Pinellas Park, Florida on his motorized scooter when he stopped at the intersection of 82nd Avenue for the four-way stop sign. The defendant driver, who was westbound on 82nd Avenue, failed to yield the right of was to our client, entered the intersection, and collided with the right side of the scooter. The defendant driver was issued a citation for having caused the collision.

Our client was taken to the hospital where he was admitted due to multiple broken ribs, a broken foot, a back injury, and a loss of consciousness. His injuries required a lengthy hospital admission as well as rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility.

Unfortunately, the defendant had a limited insurance bodily injury policy, and our investigation revealed he was likely uncollectible. Given the serious injuries involved, the insurance company agreed to pay the limits of $100,000.00 to our client.

$60,000/Electric Scooter Accident

In this unusual case, our client, who utilized an electric scooter, was being transported to a doctor’s appointment by a medical transport company. Unfortunately, the driver of the van negligently failed to properly secure the scooter for the drive. After embarking on the trip to the doctor’s office, the van driver made a turn and the scooter abruptly tipped over slamming our client to the ground. She suffered a laceration to her leg as a result which required treatment once they arrived at the doctor’s office.

After her doctor’s appointment was over, a different driver from the same transport company picked our client up. Unbelievably, this driver also failed to properly secure the electric scooter and our client before driving the van. When the van drove over a drainage grate, our client was once again thrown out of the scooter and suffered injuries to her hip and shoulder, including a rotator cuff tear which required therapy and injections.

Unfortunately, we learned that the transport company was not insured at the time of the incidents. Our client, however, carried uninsured motorist insurance, a coverage that is designed to pay damages when the insured person suffers an injury because of the negligence of an uninsured or underinsured person or entity. This coverage is crucial to have since many people fail to carry bodily injury insurance or, if they do, they carry a minimal amount.

Our client’s uninsured motorist insurer fought hard in this case on the issue of causation. They argued that there was evidence of pre-existing shoulder problems and that the rotator cuff tear was not caused by the incidents. We were ultimately able to persuade them to pay our client $60,000.00. Our client was very pleased with the outcome.

Your injuries could prove incredibly costly, and you may be entitled to financial compensation if someone else is to blame for your accident. An e-scooter accident lawyer in Florida can investigate to determine if you have a claim, and, if you do, your lawyer can calculate just compensation and fight to obtain a scooter accident settlement amount or verdict on your behalf by conducting thorough investigations, determining liability, and proving negligence through evidence collection and expert witness testimony.

Many injured riders wonder about the cost of legal representation. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we work on a no win no fee basis with no upfront costs, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We offer a free case evaluation with a same-day response to assess your claim and explain your legal options. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have decades of experience handling scooter accident cases and understand how to maximize compensation for our clients.

What if you were injured while riding as a passenger on a scooter, e-scooter, or moped? In this scenario, your legal rights are exactly the same as if you were the driver. If someone else (including the driver) is responsible for your injuries, you have the right to recover just compensation under Florida law for all compensable damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

When Florida’s comparative fault law changed in 2023, so did the state’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Time can pass quickly, and hiring a lawyer as soon as possible will give you the best chance to seek the financial compensation you deserve by ensuring timely filing and meeting legal deadline management requirements to protect your statute of limitations rights.

Understanding the statute of limitations is critical for injured victims. Missing the filing deadline can result in losing your right to pursue compensation entirely. Our attorneys can advise you on the specific timeframes that apply to your case and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed promptly to preserve your legal rights.

If you’ve been involved in a scooter accident in Tampa, FL and want to file a claim for compensation for any injuries or damages caused by a negligent party, it’s essential to file a police report. Therefore, presenting a copy of this scooter accident report to the insurance company is crucial for initiating the claims process and providing official documentation to support your insurance claim filing.

Initially, crash reports are confidential for the first 60 days after filing, after which they become accessible to the public. However, finding information on how to obtain a scooter accident report in Tampa, Florida, can be challenging for many individuals. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we understand the importance of timely access to these reports. We have compiled the necessary information and resources to assist you in obtaining your scooter accident report to assist you in obtaining the compensation you rightfully deserve through our comprehensive legal services and local knowledge of Tampa procedures.

1. Go to the City of Tampa website.
2. At the top of the page, you will see a menu across the page in white lettering. Hover over “Government” and, under the “Top Departments” section, click on “Police.“
3. This will redirect you to the Tampa Police Department page.
4. Towards the bottom of the page, you’ll find big white squares with blue text. Look for the one that says “Police Records” and click on it.
5. On the Police Records page, at the top will be two sections, look at the “Request A Copy Of A Report” section. You will see a blue button stating “Request A Copy Of A Report Online.” Click on it.
6. On the next page, you’ll find three options to select from. Choose the second option where the description box states “USE TO REQUEST POLICE REPORTS” and click the “Select” button.
7. You will be prompted to create an account and then further follow the steps to input the correct information related to your scooter accident report.
8. Once you have completed the necessary steps, your report will be generated. You can then download and print it for your records and insurance claim purposes.

By following these steps, you can efficiently obtain the scooter accident report you need in Tampa, FL. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions regarding how to get a scooter accident report, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. Our team is here to assist you and provide guidance through the process with accessible attorneys and responsive communication to answer your questions.

To obtain a scooter accident report within the initial 60-day period governed by Florida’s record rule, you may be required to provide certain identifying factors. This may involve furnishing details such as:

• The accident report number – this is typically provided by the police officer at the scene as they collect evidence and start to file their report
• Personal identification
• Other relevant information about the scooter accident

Florida’s 60-day record rule mandates a confidential status for crash reports during this period, highlighting the importance of promptly accessing and providing the necessary details to secure the report. By complying with these requirements, individuals involved in scooter accidents can ensure timely access to critical documentation for legal and insurance purposes to support their claim and preserve evidence for their case.

Are you entitled to financial compensation for your scooter, e-scooter, or moped accident in Florida? At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we know that electric scooter accidents can lead to life-altering injuries. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is here to help you navigate the legal complexities of your case and pursue the compensation you deserve through our proven track record of results-oriented representation and client-focused approach. We assist clients throughout Tampa and nearby areas, including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, and Lakeland, with multi-office locations and local knowledge of Florida law. We’ll work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable and ensure you have the resources needed for recovery.

Contact us to find out. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call 866-921-3219 or request an appointment online today to schedule your confidential consultation with same-day response from our dedicated team.

If you have been injured in an e-bike accident, speak to one of our e-bike accident lawyers today.