Scooters have become a more popular way to get around, but that means that accidents involving them could continue to rise. If someone rents a shared electric scooter and gets into an accident, who should be held responsible? If you get injured in such a crash, a San Antonio, Texas pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm may be able to help.

What Are The Rules About Shared Electric Scooter Operation in San Antonio?

First, it’s important to note that many rules govern the operation of a shared electric scooter in this city. A rider must:

  • Ride only on streets, not sidewalks
  • Only ride an electric scooter on roads with a speed limit of 35 MPH or less
  • Obey all traffic and roadway rules
  • Stay out of the way of pedestrian paths and bike lanes

Someone who doesn’t follow these rules could create a dangerous situation.

Who Could Be Held Responsible for a Shared Electric Scooter Accident?

There are many potentially liable parties in a shared electric scooter accident. You may be able to blame:

A scooter rider: A rider who behaves negligently or does not obey the rules outlined above can easily cause an accident. Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable.

The driver of a car: If a car causes that accident, that driver can be held liable. Drivers need to share the road with everyone safely, including scooter operators.

The rental company: The company that rents out the shared electric scooter could run into trouble if a defect or malfunction in the scooter helps cause an accident.

Does Insurance Cover This Kind of Accident?

This is where things can get tricky. Some rental companies do have insurance policies, but riders may be able to opt out of them. If the rider causes an accident, their auto insurance policy might cover them, but if it does not then there is no insurance policy for an injured pedestrian to go after.

When a driver causes an accident, their liability coverage would protect them if a scooter rider decided to sue them for damages. If the accident was caused partly or fully by a defect in the scooter itself, then the rental company could be on the hook for damages. This is true even though they usually make riders sign some kind of waiver before renting.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Cases like this can get complicated, especially if you’re not sure who should be held liable. An experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you build the most convincing case possible and figure out the next steps.

Schedule a Free Consultation

When you are ready to move forward with a personal injury claim, contact Sahadi Legal Group. We can schedule a free consultation for you and tell you more about the potential value of your case.