Albuquerque Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
In recent years, electric scooters have become increasingly popular, and many states have integrated scooter rental systems throughout their cities. People ride electric scooters on college campuses, neighborhoods, and areas near varying traffic. Despite the ease and convenience these scooters provide, there are still unfortunate risks associated with riding e-scooters.
Depending on an accident’s circumstances, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for the severe damages and injuries you have endured. At Dominguez Law, our experienced and Spanish-speaking attorneys are eager to provide continual legal representation and help our clients understand their rights. We may be able to help you recover any compensatory damages you are eligible to receive.
The Prevalence of Albuquerque Electric Scooter Accidents
Although e-scooters are fun and convenient, severe personal injury cases have proven the risks associated with their use. Unfortunately, reports of electric scooters exploding, malfunctioning, and causing injuries have warranted many lawsuits and injury claims for the injured. Common types of electric scooter accident cases can include:
- Drivers crashing into e-scooter riders
- E-scooter riders crashing into pedestrians
- Riders injured by malfunctions or scooter defects
- Drug or alcohol-related accidents
- Stunts and reckless behavior
Additionally, common injuries sustained from electric scooter accidents may include:
- Traumatic head or brain injury
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Broken or fractured bones
- Back injury
- Mental health effects
- Fatalities
E-scooters are intended for sidewalks or limited use on roadways. Accidents involving cars, pedestrians, and scooters have led to catastrophic and fatal events for the injured. If you have experienced injuries due to a severe scooter accident originating from different circumstances, it is essential to understand your rights in filing a New Mexico electric scooter injury claim and how a professional electric scooter accident lawyer may help you.
Understanding Negligence and Liability in an Electric Scooter Accident Case
E-scooter accidents can be attributed to many factors. In the United States, more than 190,000 emergency room visits were associated with using micro-mobility products, including electric scooters, in 2020. Any injuries and damages you sustain resulting from another’s negligence may be compensated when filing a claim or pursuing a lawsuit. Depending on the case, one or more parties can share negligence.
The elements of proving negligence in a personal injury case generally include that the other party owed you a duty of care which was breached somehow, and that you suffered losses because of the liable party’s negligence. These possible liable parties in an e-scooter accident case can be:
- The car driver
- An e-scooter company or manufacturer
- The city or a municipal party
Since New Mexico is an at-fault state, proving negligence is an essential element to recovering compensation. Whether you were riding a deckles e-scooter or another type of e-scooter at the time of the accident, proving negligence and determining who is liable may be challenging. With an experienced legal team that understands the law and how personal injury cases are handled, you may feel more at ease throughout the process.
New Mexico Electric Scooter Laws
In New Mexico, some laws and regulations apply to riding an electric scooter and who has the right of way. Generally, e-scooter riders are granted all the rights and duties of a bicycle rider. If you have been injured in an accident involving a car, pedestrian, bicycle, or other circumstance, you may be eligible to file a claim against the party responsible.
What If I Was Not Wearing a Helmet?
For many e-scooter riders, wearing a helmet is not common practice. You may sometimes forget to use one or do not have one accessible when picking up your scooter. This may leave you wondering if you may be determined negligent when seeking compensation for your injuries. According to New Mexico helmet laws, anyone under eighteen must wear a helmet and follow all the same traffic laws as other drivers. At times, shared negligence can cause a claim’s value to decrease if laws are broken.
The law also requires anyone renting out scooters, bicycles, skates, or skateboards to provide helmets for minors in New Mexico. Adults are not legally required to wear helmets while riding on sidewalks or roads. While helmets help prevent electric scooter injury in some instances, they do not absolve the risk or impact of an accident on an individual.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover After Being Injured in an E-Scooter Accident?
Whenever an individual has been injured and suffers damages due to another party’s fault, pursuing compensation may help aid their recovery significantly. For e-scooter riding accidents, injuries can vary depending on factors such as the speed involved, hazards involved, and the origin of the accident. In a personal injury case, there are several forms of compensatory damages, including:
- Non-Economic Damages: These include damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and other non-monetary damages following the accident.
- Economic Damages: These are any monetary losses such as loss of wages, employment, and current and future medical expenses or treatments.
- Punitive Damages: These are only given in specific cases involving catastrophic and severe negligence. Punitive damages are an added monetary consequence to the liable parties for their wrongdoing.
Multiple parties may be involved in the cause of your accident. Unfortunately, the negligent party’s representatives may attempt to offer you a lower settlement in exchange for concluding a case. However, hiring an electric scooter accident attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure your best interests are kept in mind for the length of your recovery. Throughout a lawsuit, you may also avoid errors and rest assured knowing your personal injury attorney is pursuing the total compensation you deserve.
Skilled Attorneys at Dominguez Law Can Help After an E-Scooter Accident in Albuquerque
Navigating through the effects of an electric scooter accident and filing a claim against the liable parties can be challenging. However, you do not have to take the steps necessary to file a claim or pursue a lawsuit on your own. With compassionate and aggressive electric scooter accident attorneys on your case, all required paperwork, research, and necessary resources are handled promptly and efficiently.
Our Spanish-speaking attorney, Paul M. Dominguez, has years of experience aiding and representing injured clients throughout New Mexico and the Albuquerque community. If you are facing challenges and recovering from injuries related to an e-scooter accident that another person is responsible for causing, you may benefit from hiring an attorney. To schedule your free consultation, complete our online contact form or call us at (505) 596-4481.