Determining Fault in E-Scooter Accidents: Liability Explained
Chicago E-Scooter Accident Claims and Legal Responsibility
E-scooters are one of the latest trends for rentable transportation, like an electric scooter rideshare system. Here in Chicago, you can find rentable e-scooters from multiple companies, including Bird, Lime, and Wheels. You can also find plenty of e-scooter accident reports, sometimes involving serious or life-changing injuries.
As e-scooters grow in popularity, the chances of an e-scooter accident increase, too. E-scooter companies offer little to no training opportunities to renters, effectively letting people rent a motorized piece of equipment without bothering to see if they can safely operate it at all. Does this mean that e-scooter companies are always liable for e-scooter accidents? Not necessarily. The details of a crash will always influence liability.
5 Potentially Liable Parties in E-Scooter Crashes
Determining liability in e-scooter accidents requires careful investigation since multiple parties could share fault. Riders themselves often bear responsibility when operating scooters recklessly or violating traffic laws. Motorists must share Chicago roads safely and yield to scooters appropriately - failure to do so creates clear liability.
E-scooter companies face product liability claims for defective equipment or inadequate safety instructions. Pedestrians can unexpectedly become at-fault parties by stepping into scooter paths or opening doors without checking. Municipal entities may hold liability for hazardous road conditions like potholes or uneven surfaces that cause crashes. Each accident requires thorough evidence collection to establish negligence and liability percentages.
Proving fault impacts your accident claim significantly. Documentation like witness statements, surveillance footage, and police reports becomes crucial. Chicago's modified comparative negligence rules affect compensation if you're partially responsible. An experienced personal injury attorney can navigate these complexities to protect your rights.
If you've been injured, don't speculate about liability alone. Our legal team investigates all angles - from rider behavior to scooter maintenance records. We identify every potentially liable party to maximize your compensation. Contact us immediately after any e-scooter incident to preserve critical evidence.
Do you need help figuring out who is at-fault for your e-scooter accident in Chicago? McNabola & Associates, LLC would be happy to help. Call our law firm at (312) 888-8700 and speak with one of our attorneys about what happened today during a free consultation.