Have you been injured in an electric scooter accident in Carbondale, PA? If so, our Carbondale personal injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you file a claim seeking compensation for your damages.
Electric scooters have become more prevalent in recent years. However, they pose a significant risk of injury if you are involved in an accident. An experienced Carbondale electric scooter accident lawyer can help you get the money you deserve for your injuries.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our legal team has over 120 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases. Since establishing our law firm in 2008, we have won our clients millions of dollars in damages.
We accept cases on a contingency fee basis at Marzzacco Niven & Associates. Our lawyers are paid a percentage of the amount they recover for your scooter accident case. We are not paid for our legal services unless and until we recover money for you.
Call today for a free consultation with an experienced Carbondale electric scooter accident attorney to learn more about your legal options after an accident.
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How Our Carbondale Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With Your Electric Scooter Accident Claim
One or more parties could be liable for the damages caused by an electric scooter accident. Sorting out liability can be challenging. Proving that a party is responsible for your injuries may require extensive investigation, including hiring experts to assist with proving fault and damages.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our Carbondale electric scooter lawyers have extensive skills, knowledge, and resources to devote to your case. We are a top-rated personal injury law firm in Pennsylvania.
Numerous organizations have recognized our attorneys for their legal expertise, including U.S. News, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. We are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire our award-winning lawyers, you can expect our legal team to:
- Determine how the electric scooter accident happened
- Identify who is responsible for causing your injuries
- File insurance claims and handle the insurance company for you
- Determine how much your electric scooter accident case is worth based on your damages
- Monitor filing deadlines and handle all documents and paperwork
- Work with expert witnesses, as necessary
- Negotiate a fair settlement agreement for an insurance and/or personal injury claim
- File a lawsuit and argue your case at trial if settlement is impossible
When you are injured in an electric scooter accident in Carbondale, you need an experienced personal injury law firm to handle your case. Marzzacco Niven & Associates is the law firm you want to work on your behalf.
Contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
Understanding Pennsylvania Electric Scooter Laws
Motor scooters and electric scooters are included in the category of motor-driven cycles. You are required to register and title an electric scooter under Pennsylvania law. Because it is a motor-driven cycle, you must purchase insurance coverage and have a valid driver’s license to ride an electric scooter.
Pennsylvania also has inspection requirements for electric scooters. When you purchase an e-scooter, you must ensure it meets these requirements to operate legally on roadways. Research and understand the requirements before purchasing an electric scooter.
Riders are prohibited from operating an electric scooter on sidewalks in Pennsylvania. Additionally, if the scooter does not reach the minimum speed limit for a specific road, you cannot operate the scooter on that road.
Are Electric Scooters Dangerous to Operate in Carbondale, PA?
Electric scooters have the same types of risks as bicycles, mopeds, and other small vehicles. The nature of the vehicle places the rider at an increased risk of being killed or sustaining catastrophic injuries in an accident.
An electric scooter does not have safety features similar to other motor-driven vehicles. For example, most electric scooters do not have turn signals. They do not have automatic braking, seatbelts, or airbags.
Electric Scooter Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Even though scooters travel slower than other motor vehicles, electric scooter accidents are serious traffic accidents. Riders are often thrown from the scooter during the collision. A rider can be crushed beneath another vehicle or thrown into an object.
Injuries caused by electric scooter accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Fractures and broken bones
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Feet and ankle injuries
- Head injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Sprains and soft tissue injuries
- Facial injuries
- Hand and elbow injuries
- Back injuries
Some riders sustain fatal injuries. If you are injured in an electric scooter accident, seek immediate medical treatment for injuries. Prompt medical treatment improves your chance of making a full recovery from your injuries. It also helps support a personal injury claim by providing evidence linking your injuries to your scooter accident.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Carbondale, PA
Scooter accidents occur for many of the same reasons as motor vehicle accidents. Common causes of electric scooter crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
- Road conditions and potholes
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Inexperienced riders and/or drivers
- Failing to follow Pennsylvania traffic laws
- Defective scooters
- Road conditions
- Poor weather conditions
You must prove that the other party caused the scooter accident to hold them legally liable for damages. Parties liable for damages in a scooter accident claim include drivers, property owners, bicyclists, scooter riders, The City of Carbondale, and pedestrians.
We work to gather evidence proving fault and liability. Evidence in an electric scooter accident case may include:
- Copies of accident/traffic reports
- Testimony from the parties involved in the electric scooter accident
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Videos of the accident from traffic cameras and other surveillance cameras
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Medical records and statements from doctors
- Testimony from eyewitnesses and expert witnesses
Our lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates diligently review all evidence in your case to identify each party who contributed to the cause of your electric scooter accident. We pursue claims against each party to maximize the compensation you receive for your damages.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Carbondale Electric Scooter Accident?
An electric scooter rider can receive compensatory damages for a personal injury claim. Economic damages in an electric scooter accident case could include:
- The cost of medical care and treatment
- Property damage
- Lost wages, benefits, and earning potential
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Personal and/or nursing care
Financial losses are only one element of damages in an electric scooter injury claim. Victims can also seek compensation for non-economic damages. These damages could include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Mental anguish
- Impairments and disabilities
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
Our legal team works with you and your physicians to document the extent of your injuries and damages. We may also work with other experts, such as financial professionals, vocational experts, life care planners, and economists.
When a defendant acts with evil motive, malice, reckless indifference, or oppression, jurors may punish the behavior by awarding punitive damages. These damages are awarded in a small number of cases when the injured victim can prove by clear and convincing evidence the defendant’s conduct meets the requirement for punitive damages.
Can I Recover Compensation for Electric Scooter Accidents if I’m Partially To Blame for Causing the Scooter Accident?
Pennsylvania’s modified comparative fault law does not bar you from receiving compensation for damages if your level of fault is below 51 percent. If a jury decides you are more than 50% to blame, the other party is not held legally liable for your damages.
If your level of fault is below 50 percent, you can receive compensation for damages. However, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a jury decides you were 25% to blame for causing your injury, the court reduces the damages award by 25 percent. Therefore, allegations of contributory fault should be treated seriously. If an insurance adjuster or other party suggests that your actions could have contributed to the cause of the electric scooter accident, call a Carbondale electric scooter accident lawyer immediately.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Electric Scooter Accident Lawsuits in Carbondale, PA?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for most scooter accident claims is two years from the accident date. If you do not file a lawsuit before the end of the two years, the court can dismiss your lawsuit without considering whether you have a legal claim you could win.
However, there are exceptions to the rule that can change the filing deadline for an electric scooter accident lawsuit. For that reason, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible after your accident. If not, you could risk losing your right to file a lawsuit and pursue a claim in court.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Carbondale Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers
Electric scooter accident claims can be complex personal injury claims. You need experienced legal counsel to fight to recover a fair amount for your damages. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates today for a free case review with one of our Carbondale electric scooter accident attorneys.
If you’ve been injured in an Electric Scooter Accident, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810