Electric scooters are popular in Harrisburg, PA. Unfortunately, accidents involving e-scooters can cause catastrophic injuries and deaths. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates today at (717) 231 1640 to schedule a free consultation, so one of our Harrisburg electric scooter accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Our legal team has over 120 years of combined experience. We’ve dedicated our legal practice to helping injured individuals and their families seek the justice they deserve. We have won millions in personal injury settlements and verdicts since opening our law firm in 2008.
Contact us today, you pay nothing for legal fees until we recover money for your case.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help You With an Electric Scooter Accident Claim in Harrisburg, PA
Electric scooter accident claims can be complicated personal injury cases. More than one party may be responsible for causing the incident. The insurance company might try to blame the victim for the accident.
Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates are prepared to fight for your right to fair compensation for damages. We understand how insurance companies process these claims and the tactics they use to avoid liability. We’ll devote our considerable resources and skills to protecting your rights.
When you hire our top-rated e-scooter accident lawyers in Harrisburg, you can expect us to:
- Complete an independent investigation to gather evidence and identify the parties responsible for your electric scooter accident
- Work with leading expert witnesses to gather opinions and other evidence to support your claim
- Verify insurance coverage and file claims
- Develop a strategy to obtain a fair settlement for your claim
- Assess your damages to determine how much your case is worth
- Defend you against claims of shared fault
- Aggressively negotiate settlement agreements based on the facts of your case and the value of your damages
- File a lawsuit and argue your case before a jury if the other party refuses to agree to a fair settlement amount
Our award-winning lawyers have a reputation for exceptional legal services. We have received top ratings and recognition from numerous organizations, including Super Lawyers, U.S. News, and Best Lawyers. We are also members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our attorneys are committed to seeking maximum compensation for your injuries. Call now for a free case evaluation with an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer in Harrisburg, PA.
Harrisburg Electric Scooter Accidents Cause Life-Altering Injuries and Impairments
Electric scooters do not protect the rider from injuries in a crash. Even though someone might wear a helmet, it doesn’t protect them from all injuries. The rider’s body will receive the full impact with a vehicle or object.
Electric scooter accidents cause many types of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken, crushed, and fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Severe burns
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Head injuries
- Elbow and hand injuries
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Facial injuries
- Shoulder, elbow, and hand injuries
- Feet, ankle, and leg injuries
Electric scooter accident injuries can result in lifelong disabilities and impairments. Prompt medical treatment can increase your chance of making a full recovery. Seeking prompt medical care can also help to avoid some problems in your case.
Does Pennsylvania Categorize an Electric Motor Scooter as a Vehicle?
According to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, electric scooters are classified as motor-driven cycles. Therefore, you are required to register e-scooters through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
The scooter must meet inspection and equipment requirements to be titled and registered. If you operate your electric scooter on roadways, you must ensure that it meets these requirements.
It is important to know that Pennsylvania prohibits riding electric scooters on sidewalks and on roads with speed limits exceeding the scooter’s maximum speed.
Is It Safe to Operate an Electric Scooter?
Electric scooters are motor vehicles – not toys. Therefore, they have the same risks for injuries and accidents as other small motor vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles. The smaller size makes e-scooters hard for drivers to see, increasing the risk of an accident.
Electric scooters do not offer the same safety features and equipment as cars and trucks. Riders do not have seat belts and airbags to protect them during a collision, so they are at risk of severe injuries in an accident.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Harrisburg, PA
Negligence and recklessness are common factors in Harrisburg electric scooter accidents. Motorists and other parties fail to keep a careful watch for smaller vehicles. The same thing applies to motorcycles.
Common reasons for electric scooter accidents in Harrisburg include:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to follow Pennsylvania traffic laws
- Potholes and dangerous road conditions
- Driving under the influence
- Poor weather conditions
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Defective scooters
- Failure to maintain and/or repair the scooter
- Inexperienced drivers and/or riders
If you allege that someone caused your e-scooter accident, you must prove their actions are directly responsible for your injuries to recover compensation from them for your damages.
What Damages Can I Recover After an Electric Scooter Accident in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania personal injury laws generally give injured parties a cause of action to seek economic and non-economic damages. The value of the claim depends on the facts involved.
Each case is unique, so the damages will be unique. However, potential damages in an electric scooter accident case include:
- Past and future medical bills and expenses
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent impairments and disabilities
- Lost wages and benefits
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vocational and rehabilitative therapies
- Physical pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could require ongoing medical treatment and personal/nursing care. You may be unable to return to work because of a disabling injury. If so, you could be entitled to future damages for ongoing financial losses, pain, and suffering.
Pennsylvania allows punitive damages if you prove that the at-fault party acted with malice, evil motive, oppression, or reckless indifference. It is up to the jurors to decide if you meet the burden of proof for punitive damages.
The value of your damages depends on numerous factors. The type of injuries you sustained, the duration of your recovery period, and the severity of permanent impairments are significant factors that impact how much your claim is worth. Another important factor is whether your actions could have contributed to the cause of the accident.
What Happens to My Claim if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing My Pennsylvania Electric Scooter Accident?
Pennsylvania does not use a contributory fault standard for personal injury cases. This standard bars recovery of all damages if the victim is partially to blame for causing their injuries.
Instead, Pennsylvania uses a modified comparative negligence standard. You are only barred from recovering compensation if you are more than 50% to blame for causing the electric scooter accident. Otherwise, you can receive some compensation for your damages.
The amount of compensation you receive is based on your level of fault. If you have no responsibility for causing the crash, you can receive up to 100% of your damages. However, suppose you are 30% to blame for the electric scooter accident. In that case, the judge would reduce your compensation by 30%.
Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys understand comparative fault laws. We also know how insurance companies use them to avoid paying fair compensation for damages. Our lawyers are prepared to fight these allegations to protect your rights.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania for Electric Scooter Accident Lawsuits?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations sets deadlines for filing lawsuits. For most personal injury cases, the deadline is two years. If you fail to file within the allotted time frame, you could lose the right to pursue a court case. A judge could dismiss your lawsuit even though you have a legal claim for damages.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations and factors in your case could lengthen or shorten the filing deadline. Therefore, it is unwise to assume you have two years to file a case without speaking with a Harrisburg personal injury lawyer. The best way to protect your rights is to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an electric scooter accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Harrisburg Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. We’ll even the playing field and stand up for your rights. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates to request a free case review with an experienced Harrisburg e-scooter accident attorney.