In recent years with the advent of electric vehicles, e-scooters have become particularly popular, especially in metropolises such as New York City due to their inexpensive nature, portability, and ease of use in terms of personal transportation devices. But despite their increasingly widespread use among the population, many people are unfamiliar with the unique set of laws that govern the use of e-scooters, and that lack of knowledge can cause problems in certain situations.
No matter what type of vehicle you're operating on a city roadway, knowing the ins-and-outs of their legal guidelines is vitally important, and something we will go into with this article.
There are a plethora of laws on the books to ensure that e-scooter operators are kept safe when traversing the streets of New York City, and the sheer scope of these rules can appear daunting to some at first. However, it is very important to become familiar with these laws if you are an e-scooter operator, especially in the event that you or someone you know is involved in a serious accident involving significant injuries.
E-scooters, similar to bicycles and other single person conveyances, exist in a realm that is considered separate from other types of motorized vehicles, such as cars and motorcycles. First of all, it is not necessary to register an e-scooter, and due to their unique nature, riding them on sidewalks could be dangerous for pedestrians, but riding them in the streets with traffic could be dangerous to the rider.
This can create some confusion for e-scooter owners, but the general rule of thumb when it comes to these vehicles is that they should be ridden according to the guidelines that govern bicycle riding; for example, e-scooters are allowed to travel in lanes typically reserved for bicyclists, and riding in the street – when appropriate and safe – is typically allowed as well.
In New York City, the standard speed limit for e-scooters is approximately 15 miles per hour; in addition, these vehicles are not allowed on streets where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or greater. These rules governing the speed at which an e-scooter can travel were implemented to reduce the risk of injury while allowing riders a degree of flexibility as well.
If you are an e-scooter rider and have been involved in an accident, it's vitally important to immediately seek qualified legal counsel as soon as possible. This is mainly due to the lack of personal bodily protection afforded to riders of these vehicles, and any impact – be it with a motorized vehicle, pedestrian, or anything else – could result in serious injuries to all parties involved. A knowledgeable and dedicated attorney can help you collect and analyze evidence, speak on your behalf, and help you navigate the legal system to get the compensation you need to recover and resume your life.
Some individuals may consider representing themselves in any legal issues arising from an e-scooter accident, but this is greatly discouraged, as it will most likely resultin a drastic decrease in the probability of your success, either in court or when dealing with insurance companies. A lawyer would know what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do in these situations, and their guidance would prove invaluable in terms of your legal success.
Have you or someone you know been injured in an e-scooter accident through no fault of your own? Contact the accident attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at 866-878-6774 now or fill out our simple form for a free consultation.