Scooter Accident Attorneys in New York

If you’ve been hurt, we can protect your legal rights

In recent years, we’ve seen electric scooters (or e-scooters) hit the roads in New York, and for many people, they’re an efficient and fun way to get around. That said, scooters also bring with them some risk of injury, and injured riders may be facing difficult legal situations after an accident. You have legal rights, but an insurance company will make it difficult to get the compensation you’re entitled to receive by law. They take these cases very seriously. So do we.

Giampa Law has the experience, resources, and tenacity needed to come through for New Yorkers injured in scooter accidents. We’re based in the Bronx and serve clients throughout the New York City area. Schedule your free consultation with a scooter accident attorney today.

New York’s laws regarding electric scooters

New York state law defines an “electric scooter” as a device with handlebars, a floorboard or seat, and an electric motor, which can be moved by either human power or the electric motor. In New York, it is generally legal to operate an e-scooter on roads and highways with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less, and generally not legal to operate an e-scooter on a sidewalk unless local law says otherwise.

In New York City, e-scooters can be legally ridden in bicycle lanes and on streets with a speed limit of no more than 30 miles per hour. The maximum legal speed for e-scooters is 15 miles per hour. In addition, helmets are required for 16- and 17-year-old riders and recommended (but not required) for older riders.

How scooter accidents happen

Most crashes involving an e-scooter fall into one of four categories:

• Scooter hits obstacle. As smaller vehicles with smaller wheels, scooters are more sensitive to road conditions than cars and trucks. If a scooter hits a pothole or an object, the wheels can get snagged, causing the rider to fall.
• Scooter hits pedestrian. Like all other road users, scooter riders must share the road with others. If a rider doesn’t see a pedestrian or isn’t able to stop in time to avoid a collision, either the rider or the pedestrian can be seriously hurt.
• Other motor vehicle hits scooter. Motorists have a legal responsibility to share the road with other vehicles, including scooters. Unfortunately, distracted or impaired drivers may overlook the smaller and much less noisy scooter, leading to a sideswipe or other collision.
• Defective scooters. Mechanical problems with the scooter itself, such as faulty brakes, overheating batteries, or loose handlebars, can cause crashes, as can issues with the e-scooter’s computer software.

The stakes are high in scooter accident cases

Like pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, scooter riders are vulnerable road users: they lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle in the event of a car accident. Studies have shown that about half of scooter-related injuries are head and brain injuries, such as concussions and skull fractures. An injury to the brain can have life-altering consequences for the victim, requiring extensive medical treatment and possibly lifelong care, depending on the nature of the injury.

Scooter accidents can also cause broken bones, soft tissue injuries, lacerations, and injuries to the extremities. Any injury that breaks the skin can lead to infection, if dirt or gravel from the ground gets into the wound. In addition to medical treatment, such an injury may leave you unable to work or do the things you love. Your family and your future are affected. You have legal recourse under New York law – and we’ll fight for your rights.

We know how to work the system

When an insurance company sees “scooter accident” on a claim, they immediately start stacking the deck against the victim. Mysterious delays, requests for unreasonable amounts of paperwork, badgering and manipulation – it’s all in a day’s work for them. They know your injuries are likely serious, and they’re focused on their bottom line. Their goal is to get you to take a “lowball” settlement offer and go away, or to deny your claim entirely if they can get away with it.

We won’t stand for that. As soon as you hire Giampa Law, we’ll contact the insurance company and tell them they can send all further correspondence to us. Our team will protect your legal rights while you focus on your health. We’ll launch an independent investigation to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injury, whether that’s another road user, a scooter manufacturer, or another at-fault party. We know how to build a case for the full amount of compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs, among other damages.

Usually, when the insurance company sees we’re ready to take them to court, they pay up. They know our reputation and our track record. If they won’t, though, we are always ready to take them to trial. We have won numerous verdicts in the iconic Bronx Supreme Court, throughout the five boroughs, and beyond, because we know the law, know the juries, and know what works.

The key is to act quickly. If you wait too long, evidence may disappear, and important legal deadlines may expire. The insurance companies are working hard to build their case, and we can match them shot for shot. Contact us today for your free consultation with a Bronx scooter accident lawyer.