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E-Scooter Accidents in South Florida

Since Governor DeSantis legalized e-scooters in 2019, they have continued to soar in popularity in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. They’re a fun, convenient, and environmentally-friendly way to travel around town. They’re also dangerous. Unlike a car, which has airbags and metal sides to protect you, in an e-scooter, there is nothing between you and another vehicle or the pavement. Accidents that may have been a minor fender-bender for a car can cause life threatening injuries for an e-scooter rider. If you ride e-scooters or are thinking about riding one, keep these safety tips in mind:

• One of the biggest dangers with e-scooters is their lack of visibility to other drivers. To help protect against this, wear brightly colored clothing and only ride during daylight. If possible, avoid riding in the rain since this can minimize visibility as well. It’s also essential to avoid riding in other vehicles’ blind spots to prevent them from accidentally swerving into you.

• Since e-scooters lack turning signals, exercise caution when turning, especially with left turns. Use hand signals to let the drivers around you know that you are planning to turn.

• Stick to riding in bike lanes or on the far-right side of the road if no bike lane is available.

• Wear a helmet. This is absolutely essential. While riders over age 18 in South Florida are not legally required to do so, it can save your life if you are in an accident. Moreover, if you are involved in an accident and are not wearing a helmet, it will be extremely difficult to convince a jury to award you the full amount of compensation to cover the cost of your injuries.

If you are involved in an accident, call 911, if you are able, and seek medical care immediately. Due to the adrenaline rush following an accident, you may not feel the full extent of your injuries right away, so you may not realize how serious your injuries actually are. Additionally, if you decide to file a lawsuit against the vehicle that hit you, your medical record following the accident will be a key piece of evidence supporting your case.

If you carry a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance plan, this will be your first source of compensation following the accident. This will likely not be enough to cover the full cost of a serious accident though. Your best bet is to meet with a personal injury attorney, like ECanter Lawyers, as soon as you are physically able after your accident. Your attorney will advise you if you have a case against the other driver and inform you of your legal rights for seeking compensation from them. At ECanter Lawyers, our initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose even if you decide not to pursue a claim against the other driver. Contact us today to learn how we can help you after your South Florida e-scooter accident.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

ECanter Lawyers

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