E-Scooter Accidents Attorneys in Richmond & Tappahannock, Virginia

A few years ago, electric scooters (or “e-scooters”) took Virginia’s streets by storm. Companies such as Lime and Bird promised to revolutionize urban transit with their rental e-scooters that customers could access through a smartphone app. But as with many new technological “innovations,” there were a number of unforeseen side effects for local governments and residents.

One issue that often arises from e-scooter use is what happens in the event of an accident, such as a collision between an e-scooter and a motor vehicle, or an e-scooter renter injured due to a malfunctioning vehicle. A qualified Richmond e-scooter accidents lawyer can assist you in sorting out these issues. Attorney Ryan Wind and his team at Wind Law, LLC, represent accident victims seeking compensation from negligent motorists and e-scooter companies.

Virginia’s Laws on E-Scooters Continue to Evolve

E-Scooter Accidents

Virginia law establishes certain statewide limits on the use of e-scooters and similar “electronic personal delivery devices.” Individual cities and counties can also adopt their own local regulations, which can include prohibiting e-scooters outright. But many localities, including the City of Richmond, have decided to work with the e-scooter companies in fashioning local rules.

Richmond’s Shared Mobility Program currently authorizes both Bird and Lime to operate e-scooter rental programs within the city. Each company is limited to no more than 500 e-scooters. And the top speed of each device cannot exceed 15 miles per hour. Richmond also forbids operating e-scooters on sidewalks. Instead, riders must use bike lanes.

In terms of legal liability, if an e-scooter operator is injured by a negligent motorist, the victim has the same right to take legal action as any other car accident victim. It is important to note, however, that Virginia is a “contributory negligence” state. This means that if the e-scooter operator’s actions contributed in any way to the accident, no matter how slight, they can recover nothing under Virginia law.

In some cases, an e-scooter rental company may also be liable if an operator is injured due to a defective or malfunctioning vehicle. Such claims can get tricky, however, because companies like Lime and Bird often require operators to agree to a rental contract that includes an arbitration clause. This means that in the event of an accident or injury, the victim may have to submit their case to arbitration and cannot file a lawsuit in regular court.

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Contact Our Skilled E-Scooter Accident in Richmond, Virginia Today

Given the number of legal issues that can arise from an e-scooter accident, it is in the victim’s best interest to speak with an attorney who is up-to-date on the law in this area. Ryan Wind is a Virginia personal injury litigator with over a decade of experience in handling these kinds of cases. He can represent you in negotiating a potential settlement, which can provide essential financial resources for you and your family as you struggle to recover from an accident.

So if you need to speak with a Richmond e-scooter accident lawyer, contact Wind Law, LLC, today to schedule an initial consultation.