Electric scooters have become increasingly common sights on Florida’s roads in recent years. These vehicles offer more speed than traveling on foot while taking up less space than conventional motor vehicles.
However, they don’t offer some of the protections that cars and other such enclosed vehicles offer. When you’re in a car, you’re surrounded by a metal frame, and you enjoy additional protection in the form of a seatbelt and airbags.
You don’t have such protections when you’re riding an electric scooter. If you’re involved in an accident on one, your odds of being seriously injured are relatively high.
That doesn’t need to happen. Tips to minimize your chances of being harmed in a Florida electric scooter accident include:
Wear the Right Safety Gear
Wearing a helmet and other such safety gear can make a big difference in the outcome of an accident. Although your goal may be to avoid being involved in an accident in the first place, if an accident does occur, you want to be as thoroughly protected as you can be.
Use Both Hands
Unless you have to do so for legitimate safety reasons, you should never take either hand off the handlebars of an electric scooter. Keeping both hands on the handlebars ensures you’re able to properly control the vehicle.
Of course, you should certainly never use one of your hands to check your phone. Although it may go without saying, one of the most significant electric scooter safety tips is also one of the most basic: always pay attention to your surroundings.
Listen
Seeing what is happening around you is important when riding an electric scooter. However, being able to hear what’s happening around you is at least as important.
Don’t make the mistake of listening to your earbuds when using one of these vehicles. Doing so could prevent you from hearing sounds that might alert you to nearby hazards.
Obey the Rules of the Road
Some pedestrians, bicyclists, and e-scooter users forget that the rules of the road apply to them just as they apply to motorists. When riding an electric scooter, you still need to obey traffic signs/signals, let others know when you’re turning, etc.
Be aware that obeying the law can also play a role in any legal proceedings that may arise as a result of an electric scooter accident. If you’re ever involved in such an accident because someone else was negligent, you might seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, etc.
You could seek compensation by filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance. Unfortunately, they might be able to argue that you don’t deserve compensation if it can be shown that you were breaking the law when your accident occurred.
That said, even if you’re a responsible e-scooter rider who obeys the law and exercises caution, you could still be injured in an accident if someone else is careless. Review your case with a Florida e-scooter accident attorney at Colson Hicks Eidson if this ever happens to you. We’re prepared to offer the representation you deserve in these circumstances. For more information, contact us online or call us at 305-476-7400.
