In Washington, D.C., 50% of Bird riders reported using e-scooters to get to and from work.
It’s no secret that electrical scooters are becoming popular all over the United States. However, as much fun as they are, there are risks. While we don’t want to think about something terrible happening, accidents do occur, and it’s best to be prepared.
You’ve ridden a scooter before, but you may not know the steps you can take that help prevent Bird Scooter accidents. Don’t worry; we are going to tell you everything you need to know about Bird Scooter accidents and safety tips.
Types of Accidents
The majority of scooter crashes are single-vehicle accidents. For example, if you’re riding and you hit a pothole, or if the road has cracks or is uneven and it causes you to wreck. Another example is if the brakes aren’t working and cause an accident.
There is also the chance of crashing into or because of a pedestrian. The rider typically gets blamed for these accidents, but not always.
Two scooters could collide, or a rider could be hit by a car. A common accident is when a car is parked on the side of the road and the driver opens the door, and the e-scooter rider hits the open door.
Lastly, a pedestrian could trip on a parked scooter. Bird does their best to avoid these situations by setting up designated parking spots.
How To Avoid an Accident
Sometimes Bird scooter accidents are unavoidable. They can happen so fast that you don’t have time to react. There are, however, a few things you can do to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
Many accidents happen because the rider isn’t following the law. Riding with more than one person is pretty common and really dangerous. Be sure to ride your scooter in the bike lane, and if there isn’t one, you should be riding on the road, not the sidewalk.
Wearing a helmet is uncommon, but it’s can do a lot to protect you. Many people sustain head injuries in e-scooter accidents, and they could be avoided by simply putting on a helmet. It may seem obvious, but don’t use your phone while riding.
How To Collect Evidence
There are a few steps you much take right after the accident takes place. Be sure to take photos and videos of everything. This includes the scooter and your injuries, and if you’re hit by a car, be sure to document the car’s damage as well.
If it’s possible, take the scooter with you as it could be helpful in the case. The more documentation you have, the better.
If there were witnesses to the accident, get a video statement from them. Depending on how bad the accident is, you may not be able to collect evidence. Someone around you, whether a friend or even a stranger, should take some photos for you.
Getting medical attention as quickly as possible is crucial. The longer you wait, the easier it will be for Bird and the insurance agent to claim your injuries came from somewhere else.
You’ll also want to screenshot your ride information and receipt. This will show what time and where you were riding. It will also show that you were riding legally and paid for it.
Compensation
If you’re in an accident while riding a Bird, you could be entitled to compensation. If your injuries prevent you from going to work, you could collect for lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
You can also receive compensation for future medical bills and treatment, as well as any pain and suffering, whether that be physical or mental. If some of your property got broken or lost during the accident, you could also receive coverage.
The User Agreement
Before you can start riding on a Bird, you are required to sign a user agreement. This liability waiver is around 16 pages long and can be hard to overcome in a lawsuit.
It’s in place to protect Bird from paying out after an accident. It’s likely you haven’t read through it, but there are statements in the waiver that release Bird of any responsibility if there’s an accident due to a broken or defective scooter.
Bird has also listed a number of actions that are prohibited. If you’re doing any of these things and get into an accident, Bird won’t be responsible according to their user agreement.
- Multiple people on one scooter
- Carrying a bag or purse
- Riding while impaired (drugs and alcohol)
- Placing items on the handlebars.
You can find the entire list on the Bird’s website. Since the agreement is extensive, it can seem impossible to win a Bird accident claim, but it’s not.
Timeline
How long it takes to settle an e-scooter accident can vary. If you and another ride collide and you have serious injuries, and they don’t, the process will likely be faster.
The insurance company won’t want to be sued later on and will likely pay the limit fairly quickly. If you don’t have many injuries, it could take longer, and the insurance company likely won’t pay until after it’s settled.
Bird Scooter Accidents
Now you know exactly what to do if you get a scooter accident injury. You can also advise others on the proper ways to ride and park the e-scooters in order to keep everyone safe.
Bird scooter accidents are no joke; they can be painful, and it could take you a long time to get compensated for your injuries and damage. Contacting a scooter accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you are protected.
We are here to help; reach out to us if you have any questions or need help after an accident. Ride safe!
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