Memphis Electric Scooter Accident Attorneys

Representing e-scooter injury victims in Memphis, Jackson and West Tennessee

Electric scooters – also called e-scooters or dockless scooters – are a huge trend right now, especially in big cities. Memphis has recently embraced electric scooters as an alternative means of getting around city streets. E-scooters help cut down on pollution and traffic, and are an efficient means of quick transportation. However, as the use of e-scooters rises, so has the number of related accidents and injuries.

If you were injured in an electric scooter related accident, you may have recourse against the negligent party. The injury attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC can help. We’ll work to protect your right to compensation while you take the time you need to heal from your injuries.

Our legal team fights tirelessly for clients in Memphis, Jackson, and throughout West Tennessee.

What are electric scooters?

Electric scooters are a lot like the old foot-propelled Razor scooters, but upgraded with electric motors. These rental scooters work through a rideshare app. You simply rent a scooter through the app, and a map directs you to the closest available scooter. Unlock the scooter with a code, ride the scooter to your destination, park it safely out of the way, and end the ride on your app.

In Tennessee, e-scooter riders must follow the same laws as bicyclists and electric bicyclists. This means if a person isn’t old enough to drive a car, they’re not old enough to operate an e-scooter. Additionally, cities and municipalities may also regulate, control, or ban the use of electric scooters on their own.

Dangers of e-scooters in Tennessee

Lime, Bird, Explore Bike Share, Bolt, and Spin all have a presence in the Memphis area. That’s a lot of scooters on our streets – over 2,000 in Memphis alone. There’s no denying that electric scooters offer a number of benefits: they’re convenient and efficient modes of transportation, environmentally friendly, and keep more vehicles off the road. However, they still pose a number of risks to scooter operators and other people on the street. Common types of accidents involving e-scooters include:

• Scooters are often left behind in unsafe locations, like the middle of the sidewalk or in doorways, causing tripping and falling hazards.
• When a company doesn’t maintain and inspect their scooter fleet properly, malfunctions like brake failure or stuck accelerators can occur.
• Motorists who won’t share the road with e-scooters can also cause serious accidents.
• E-scooters can travel up to 15mph, and traveling at this speed and watching out for pedestrians and objects can be difficult.
• Despite the potential speed of dockless scooters, safety technology hasn’t improved at the same level, posing dangers to novice riders.
• Careless riders who allow children or second riders onto their scooters put even more people at risk for injury. Other scooter operators who don’t follow local laws can put passers-by at risk as well.
• Some scooter-sharing services have very little regulation or general safety standards.
• Scooter riders are expected to follow the rules of the road, but many e-scooter operators have little to no experience.