As scooter use continues to grow in most major metro areas around the country, scooter riders are also much more likely to be injured by collisions with cars or other obstacles. These vehicles are more dangerous than most people realize, especially when they are used in crowded areas or near busy roads.
A serious crash in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles involved a scooter rider and a car travelling at a high rate of speed.
Speeding driver kills a man on a scooter
Police believe the incident happened at approximately 11 pm at the intersections of Melrose Ave and Martel Ave. The 27 year old male suspect was driving at a high rate of speed when he crashed into another car that was trying to turn across the oncoming traffic. The impact sent the vehicles onto the sidewalk where a scooter rider was struck. Police did not know if the scooter rider was initially in the street or on the sidewalk at the time of impact, but he was hit hard enough that he died later from his injuries. The roads in the area remained closed for several hours while the crash was investigated.
The suspect was taken into custody by police and may be charged with crimes for vehicular manslaughter or driving under influence, pending the results of their investigation. In the Los Angeles area, there are numerous warning signs telling scooter riders to not ride on the sidewalk, but helmets are not required by local laws and there is little regulation regarding their use.
What kind of lawsuit will follow a scooter accident?
The format for a lawsuit involving scooters or any other vehicles is generally the same as standard car accidents. An attorney who specializes in accidents can file a case which says that the fault of another driver or scooter rider caused injuries or property damage. This will be a negligence lawsuit in most cases, and it is one of the most common types of civil lawsuits filed by personal injury lawyers. While the widespread use of electric scooters is fairly new and they are mostly unregulated, operators of any kind of vehicle on the roads must be held accountable for their actions.
In cases like the incident described in the news story above, the deceased person’s family can also file a wrongful death lawsuit. This can be done whenever someone is killed due to the actions or fault of another person. The family can seek damages to cover the person’s funeral, future lost wages, any medical expenses, and continued trauma related to the incident. While this type of case is common after car accidents or work related incidents, the same legal principles can be applied to a victim who was riding a scooter.
Talk to an accident lawyer in your area
When you are involved in an accident with a scooter or any other vehicle, it is important to speak with a lawyer right away to get assistance. There are attorneys in the Los Angeles area who specialize in dealing with all kinds of accidents throughout southern California.
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