Bethesda Bird and Lime Scooter Accident Attorney

Bird and Lime scooters are the new trends nowadays, especially in the metropolitan area! Why wouldn’t they be, they are extremely convenient to use to get to work or school? While they are lots of fun, they do have a tendency to cause injuries. If you have been hurt on a Bird or Lime scooter, contact our Bethesda Bird and Lime scooter accident lawyer at Malloy Law Offices, LLC  today for a free consultation.

What Are Bird and Lime Scooters?

Bird and Lime scooters are considered electrical scooters. There are many other companies that manufacture electric scooters, however, Bird and Lime seem to be the most popular. An electrical scooter is very similar to a normal scooter, with the difference that it is battery operated as it has an internal electric motor that allows the user to ride at higher speeds without the need to constantly push with their feet. These scooters are classified as micro-mobility.

The very cool thing about these scooters is the rideshare available to most users with a mobile phone.  This “rideshare wave of the future” is promoted as providing freedom and mobility to thousands of people at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately, e-scooters come with hazards that could expose riders, pedestrians, and motorists to the risk of injury or death.

How Do Bird and Lime Scooters Work?

Dockless electric scooters are a new mode of transportation that is growing at an unprecedented rate. To use a Bird or Lime e-scooter, you simply:

• Download the app (have your credit card and ID ready). The app will scan your ID to confirm you are over 18.
• Tap “Scan to ride” and hover your phone camera over the QR code located on the left handlebar of the Bird or Lyft scooter. Wait for the screen to load.
• Push off to start the scooter and travel to your location.
• Park the scooter in an appropriate spot when you are done with your trip.

Electric Scooters Accident Data

Consumer Reports contacted 110 hospitals and five agencies in 47 cities where Bird, Lime, or both e-scooter companies operate. Hospitals reported treating hundreds of people with e-scooter injuries. An emergency department in one major city reported treating more than 350 people after e-scooter crashes. Part of the problem is that helmets are not provided with the scooters. Customers see a scooter somewhere, grab it, and go in a spur of the moment decision. Most people are not carrying helmets with them at the time.

Dangers of Bird and Lime Scooters

While these dockless scooters are great for the environment, as well as a cheap source of short-distance transportation for users, there are many injuries associated with their use. While a lot of people are quick to assume they are wounds from falling off, the main cause of these accidents is pedestrian-related. This means that users are constantly being hit by other vehicles while riding the scooter, and often times while trying to cross the street.  According to a Consumer Reports investigation, there have been at least 1,500 e-scooter injuries across the nation. E-scooters can present dangers not only for riders, but also for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other people around them. Once they are parked and abandoned, Bird and Lime scooters can create a tripping hazard for pedestrians. Like bicyclists and motorcyclists, e-scooter riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, which leaves them vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash or collision with a motor vehicle.

Common Injuries in Electric Scooter Accidents

As mentioned earlier, you do not necessarily have to be riding the scooter to be injured by one, as oftentimes, pedestrians will slip and fall from their presence on the sidewalks. For those that are riding and get hit by another vehicle, injuries can be worse. Injuries commonly sustained in Bird and Lime scooter accidents include:

• Blunt head trauma
• Traumatic brain injury
• Fractured forearms
• Nasal fractures
• Knee injuries
• Ankle injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts and lacerations
• Slip and Falls

Contact A Bird and Lime Scooter Accident Lawyer in Bethesda

While electric scooters are a “new trend”, our team of Bethesda Lime and Bird Scooter have been handling these cases since they first became a hit. Our experienced trial lawyers have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to effectively pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. If you have been hurt in a Lime or Bird scooter accident, contact Malloy Law Offices, LLC personal injury attorney in Maryland right away. Our experienced Bethesda Bird and Lime Scooter accident attorneys are dedicated advocates for injured people.