Nashville Electric Scooter Accident Attorneys

Dockless, on-demand scooter rentals (also known as “scooter sharing”) has found its way into the Music City, with venture capital-backed companies like Bird and Lime leading the way. Dockless electric scooters can be located and unlocked with an app, rented for a period of time, and left at your destination without needing to return them to a dock. Although these scooters are a fun way to get around town and are great for cutting emissions, riders, pedestrians, and motorists could suffer severe and possibly fatal injuries in the event of an accident.

Because these scooters provide little to no protection for riders, a helmet is not issued at the spot of rental, and the rider needs no training or practice to rent one, there are serious safety concerns that often go unaddressed.

If you have been hurt in an accident as a dockless scooter rider or if a rider injured you, contact the Nashville electric scooter accident attorneys of The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton for help. Our team has investigated the laws regarding scooter sharing and understands how to handle injury claims involving these vehicles. We are ready to stand up for you and get you the fair compensation you are owed from the party responsible for your injuries.

To schedule a FREE, confidential consultation with a knowledgeable, compassionate member of our team,  contact our office at (615) 244-4511 or reach out to us online today.

Nashville Dockless Scooter Laws

Bill BL2018-1202, an amendment to Title 12 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, provides strict laws and regulations which shared urban mobility devices (SUMD) companies providing equipment such as dockless electric scooters and electric bicycles must follow. Some laws which are contained in that bill, including specific section numbers, include:

  • Bird and Lime (et al) must have a Certificate of Insurance prior to submitting their application and paying their $500 application fee; 12.62.020(b)(2);
  • Electric scooters must have a front light which emits white light, rear red deflector, footboard, and a top speed at or less than 15 mph when the rider’s weight exceeds 170 pounds. Defective motors, batteries and any violation of this section is grounds for permit revocation; 12.62.030(a)(3);
  • Scooters may not be operated on the sidewalk within business districts; on sidewalks they are permitted for use, riders will yield to pedestrians; 12.62.030(c);
  • Bird and Lime (et al) must carry $1,000,000 in automobile insurance and $2,000,000 in commercial liability insurance;  12.62.030(d);
  • Riders must be at least eighteen (18) years of age with a valid driver’s license to rent SUMDs; 12.62.040(k);
  • Bird and Lime (et al) must have a staffed operations center with 24-hour service phone number located within the boundaries of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; 12.62.050(a);

Companies providing the dockless electric scooters were capped at 500 per company during their pilot month; that expands to 750 during month two and 1,000 at month three. A separate application will be required once the cap has been exceeded and any company wishes to expand their fleet beyond 1,000. More rules and regulations may be seen at the Nashville city legislative site linked above.

What to do After a Dockless Scooter Accident

If you rented an electric scooter from Bird, Lime or another approved company and sustained an injury while riding in approved areas in Nashville, your legal options will depend on the specifics of your accident. In any event, follow these simple procedures if injured:

  • Depending on the extent of your injuries, call law enforcement immediately;
  • While waiting for them to arrive, take photos of everything if your smartphone is accessible;
  • If you’re able to move, check on the well-being of anyone else who may have been injured; if unable to move, stay where you are and accept the help of witnesses;
  • Procure as much information from witnesses as possible, such as names and phone numbers. An attorney will need this later to help build your case;
  • When medics and police arrive, accept medical care and give your full statement;
  • Call the scooter rental company to report your accident;
  • Phone The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton, who will gladly discuss options with you; and
  • Once the firm has taken your case, continue receiving medical care so you’re able to make a speedy recovery.

Defective Scooter Claims

Dockless scooter accidents resulting from defective parts on the motor scooter would be litigated as a product liability injury claim. Our firm will hold the scooter manufacturer, or the manufacturer of the defective parts, liable by seeking monetary damages for our injured client. Product liability claims carry a three-year statute of limitations per T.C.A. § 28-3-105, and a ten-year statute of repose (a predetermined period which often begins when the product hits retail stores).

Scooter Accidents Involving Cars, Trucks, or Commercial Vehicles

If an automobile, truck, bus, Uber, Lyft or any other vehicle hit you while riding a dockless electric scooter, our firm would approach this as a personal injury claim. Because the company is required to carry coverage on its scooters, we’ll go after that insurer. Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which increases to three years if any property was damaged.

How Compensation is Determined in Dockless Scooter Accidents

Compensation, if awarded, will take into account all losses the victim sustained, including:

  • Medical bills from the day of injury, to present (and beyond if long-term care is necessary);
  • Lost wages, including the capacity to earn in the future;
  • Repair or replacement of personal property damaged in the scooter accident;
  • Punitive damages (if imposed; capped at two times awarded damages or $500,000);
  • Pain and suffering your injury caused; and
  • All other applicable economic and noneconomic losses on a case-by-case basis.

As more than one party could be held liable for your scooter accident, compensation may vary based on what your lawyer learns about your accident.

Contact a Nashville Bird, Lime, and Spin Scooter Lawyer Today

Dockless electric scooter accident claims can be complex given the fact that these companies are relatively new, the technology is still being developed, and local laws are being continually amended to govern these new services. Laws stipulate that persons who are injured by no fault of their own have the right to seek compensation for the at-fault party’s negligence. Cases like this could have several parties to your accident, especially if the scooter company was partly to blame for what happened.

The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton is an injury law firm founded on the principle of putting people first. Serving Nashville and surrounding areas with superior legal representation, we’d like to discuss your scooter accident in greater detail. Putting our firm in your corner adds a powerful ally to your scooter injury case, and will greatly increase your odds of settling your scooter accident claim favorably. Contact the firm at (615) 244-4511 to schedule an initial consultation at no cost to you.