Electric scooters are more popular than ever. Scooters are less expensive than motorcycles, go faster than bicycles, and are also equally as dangerous on the road as both. As throughout the rest of New York City, e-scooters are legal in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and are a preferred way to travel the roads for many residents and visitors. However, this means that there have been more accidents and accompanying injuries in recent years. Bedford Stuyvesant scooter accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg helps victims of these collisions pursue proper action against those at-fault for their harm. Even if you are partially responsible for causing an accident, you may still have legal recourse against other liable parties. Mr. Redenburg can assist you in determining your legal options in the aftermath of a scooter accident. If you’ve suffered a serious injury, you will need time to recover. Mr. Redenburg is dedicated to making sure you have that time, and the financial support you need during the process. If you have questions about your legal rights following an e-scooter accident, contact our office at (212) 240-9465 or online to speak with an attorney today.
Scooter Accidents in Bedford Stuyvesant
There are over 158,000 residents in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, many of which choose to ride scooters, either for fun or work purposes. Unfortunately, accidents involving e-scooters are also particularly common in Brooklyn and throughout New York City. In 2020, 588 e-scooter accidents were reported in the city, with 538 people injured and three pedestrians killed. In 2022, three times more fatalities occurred on micro-mobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, than in collisions involving non-motorized bicycles. If you’ve lost a loved one in a devastating e-scooter accident in Bedford Stuyvesant, contacting an experienced wrongful death attorney is a pivotal step to maintaining your legal rights.
E-scooters are defined as devices with handlebars, floorboards or seats, and equipped with an electric motor. Differing from e-bikes, which must be pedaled, scooters can be operated manually or with the motor. Scooters do not require registration in New York, however riders must be at least 16 years of age. Helmets are only required for riders under 18 years old. This lack of helmet requirement means that if riders choose not to wear protection, the potential for serious brain injuries and other life-threatening harm is higher when involved in a collision. In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that for every 100,000 e-scooter rides, 20 people will be injured. These injuries are often caused by another motorist’s negligence.
Holding Negligent Parties Legally Liable
If you’ve been involved in an e-scooter accident, another party may be liable for your harm. When a motorist acts negligently, causing a victim’s injury or death, they are responsible for the damages that result. Negligence occurs when a party has breached their duty of reasonable care owed to another. A knowledgeable BedStuy scooter accident lawyer can help determine who may be at-fault in your situation. Often it is a driver who fails to act reasonably in sharing the road with a scooter. Examples of negligent acts common in an e-scooter collision include texting while driving, speeding, failure to yield, or making dangerous turns. Scooter malfunctions or defective parts may also factor into these kinds of collisions.
Scooter riders may themselves be partially responsible for their own injuries. However, this does not bar them from seeking compensation from other negligent parties. Under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule, damages are awarded in direct proportion to each party’s liability. Therefore, if a victim is found 40% at fault, they may still recover 60% of the total compensation award from the other liable party. This compensation may include past and future medical expenses, loss of income, diminished earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering damages.
Evidence is crucial in these cases. Medical records, witness testimony, and police reports are all important in establishing the sequence of events and who is at fault. For e-scooter accidents that occur in Bedford Stuyvesant, either the 79th or 81st Precinct of the New York Police Department (NYPD) will investigate and report their findings. Copies of reports may be obtained from NYPD headquarters. The 79th Precinct is located at 263 Tompkins Avenue and the 81st Precinct is located at 30 Ralph Avenue. These reports can also be requested online via the NYPD Collision Report Portal or from the DMV website.
Bedford Stuyvesant Scooter Accident Representation
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an e-scooter crash, Bedford Stuyvesant scooter accident lawyer Michael J. Redenburg is ready to help you through your legal journey. Our firm represents clients throughout Brooklyn and elsewhere in New York City in personal injury and wrongful death claims. We are dedicated to making sure victims of these collisions obtain the best possible outcome in their cases so that they have the financial security to aid in their recovery. Contact our office today at (212) 240-9465 or online to find out more about our legal services.