Were you hurt in an electric scooter accident in York, PA? You may have a right to recover money for your injuries. A York electric scooter accident lawyer can fight for your rights and hold negligent people accountable.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates have over 120 years of combined experience with personal injury law. Our lawyers have won tens of millions of dollars for our clients. We help our clients get compensation so that they can move forward after a traumatic accident.
Call us at (717) 995-8998 to schedule a 100% free consultation with a York electric scooter accident attorney as soon as possible.
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How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help You After An Electric Scooter Accident In York, PA?
Since 2008, Marzzacco Niven & Associates has helped clients get justice after getting hurt in York, PA. We have represented people with serious injuries after crashing while riding an electric scooter. Our team is nationally recognized as:
- Super Lawyers “Rising Stars”
- Best Lawyers of America
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
The lawyers on our team have earned these recognitions because of our dedication to our clients. When you hire us to represent you after an electric scooter accident, we will:
- Investigate the crash
- Collect and review evidence
- Determine liability
- Explain the law and your rights
- Calculate your damages
- File insurance claims
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Keep track of deadlines
- File a personal injury lawsuit
- Represent you in court and at trial
Every electric scooter accident case is different. During our free initial consultation, we can discuss a strategy specific to your case. Call us to schedule a time to discuss your case with a York personal injury attorney and get started today.
What Are The Electric Scooter Laws In Pennsylvania?
Electric scooters have become popular in the past several years. However, there’s a lot of confusion about the laws in Pennsylvania. E-scooters often operate in a legal gray area.
Pennsylvania law requires electric scooter owners to register the scooter with the Commonwealth and have insurance and a valid driver’s license. To register the scooter you must pass the inspection and the e-scooter must meet the minimum requirements.
Unfortunately, many electric scooters don’t meet the requirements to pass inspection. This means it is illegal to ride an electric scooter on the road. It is also illegal to ride an electric scooter on the sidewalk. So, while electric scooters are technically legal in Pennsylvania, most riders are not riding legally.
Why Are Electric Scooters Dangerous?
Electric scooters are a convenient way to commute around York. However, every rider should be aware of significant safety concerns.
Electric scooters are less stable than cars. Riding on two wheels makes it easier to lose balance and fall. A pothole or obstruction in the road, which a car could endure, may destabilize the scooter.
Furthermore, riders are much more vulnerable on an electric scooter than in a car. There is no body or frame to protect them in an accident, so a rider can easily be thrown from the scooter or run over by traffic. On top of this, there are no additional safety features like airbags, turn signals, or automatic braking mechanisms.
Electric scooters are also dangerous because riders tend to be less experienced than drivers. Many people mistakenly believe that scooters require less skill than driving a car. That means that immature drivers may skip wearing a helmet and not understand the rules of the road. This can lead to dangerous driving that causes or increases the severity of a crash.
Electric Scooter Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
Electric scooters can be dangerous. Even if the rider follows all of the laws, a crash with a negligent driver on the road can be devastating. Since an electric scooter doesn’t provide protection, the rider may have catastrophic injuries or even death.
We have experience representing people suffering from the following:
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Burns
- Severe bruising and lacerations
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Loss of eyesight
Many of our electric scooter accident clients have coexisting injuries. This means that their diagnosis and treatment are more complex. We work with our client’s medical team to fully understand their prognosis. This gives us the information we need to accurately calculate damages.
What Causes Most Electric Scooter Accidents In York, PA?
Many York electric scooter accidents happen due to:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Obstructions in the road
- Inclement weather
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Speeding
- Improper scooter maintenance
Sometimes, our e-scooter clients aren’t sure how an accident happened. This is very common in bad crashes that happen instantaneously.
Our York electric scooter accident lawyers can investigate the crash. We will find out the cause and who is responsible for the accident. Any evidence that we collect can be useful to prove your case.
What Is My Electric Scooter Case Worth?
Your electric scooter case is worth the total of your damages. Your damages depend on the specifics of the accident and your injuries. Some factors that will influence your case value are:
- The type and severity of your injury
- The treatment plan and your prognosis
- How the accident happened
- The details of the insurance policy
- If you can work and earn income or not
- The effect of the injury on your day-to-day life
- Your role in causing the accident
- Cost of property damage to the scooter
- If you have lasting trauma from the crash
A York electric scooter accident attorney at Marzzacco Niven & Associates will discuss these factors during a consultation. This will help both of you determine how much money to expect at the end of the case.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Am Being Blamed For An Electric Scooter Accident In Pennsylvania?
There is a stigma against electric scooters in Pennsylvania. Many riders are unfairly blamed for causing accidents. This puts riders in a tough spot if they are trying to get compensated for their injuries.
After a crash, it is best to avoid accepting any blame for the accident before speaking with an attorney. However, if you do get blamed, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t recover damages.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault law with a 51% bar. That means that you can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% responsible for the crash. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.
If you are partially responsible and still eligible to recover damages, then your damages are proportionate. That means that your damages are reduced by your percentage share of responsibility. While this is better than nothing, you should avoid unfair blame because it can significantly affect the money that you take home at the end of the case.
What Kind Of Damages Are Available To E-Scooter Accident Victims?
E-scooter accident victims can recover compensatory damages and occasionally punitive damages. Compensatory damages reimburse a plaintiff for actual and intangible losses. There are two types of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are financial losses incurred after an accident or injury. These are easy to calculate and include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Medications
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Increased transportation costs
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are non-financial and intangible losses. Many people call this pain and suffering. Non-economic damages are harder to calculate but can include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Mental illness
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for egregious behavior. To claim punitive damages, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant acted willfully, with malice, oppression, evil motive, or reckless indifference. This can be difficult to prove, but it’s not impossible.
A York electric scooter accident lawyer can calculate your damages and help you fight for every dollar you deserve.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After An Electric Scooter Accident In Pennsylvania?
You only have two years to file a lawsuit after an electric scooter accident in Pennsylvania. This is a strict statute of limitations. If you try to file the lawsuit after two years, then the court will dismiss your case. That means you lose your right to legally claim damages.
You should speak with a lawyer immediately after an accident. Then, you can maximize the time that you have to file a lawsuit.
Contact Our York Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers To Schedule A Free Consultation
Don’t waste time financially struggling after getting hurt in an electric scooter accident. You may have a right to compensation from the negligent party. The sooner you get paid, the sooner you can get your life back on track.
A York electric scooter accident lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can discuss your case in a free consultation. There’s no downside to talking with an attorney because we work on a contingency fee. That means you don’t pay us anything unless and until we win your case.