Bird scooters are everywhere these days, and it is no surprise that accidents are starting to rack up. Many people do not know the best way to ride the scooters, and the large amount of demand for them has led to a mass production. This mass production, of course, results in lower quality and worse quality control, so the scooters that are hitting the market are more likely to have more defects and problems. Further, the sheer amount of usage can increase the wear and tear on the scooters, and technicians may not be able to fix them fast enough. If you were hurt because of a defective scooter and you suffered injuries in an accident, contact Kenmore Law Group today for more help filing a lawsuit against Bird.
Bird Scooter Information
Bird scooters are able to be rented for one dollar and can be ridden for 15 cents per minute afterward. All riders must have helmets, be over the age of 18, and have valid driver’s licenses. They must adhere to all traffic rules and regulations and must not ride on the sidewalk. They can only park the scooters in legal spaces or stand them in locations on the sidewalk that are designated for the scooters.
The scooters have been rolling out for some months, and because of the large influx of orders, it is no surprise that many come with some sort of defect or problem straight from the plant. It is also not common for malfunctions to occur after a few rides. Regardless, it is up to Bird to maintain these scooters or to contract individuals who can do so.
Failure to provide safe scooters to their customers can be ample grounds for a lawsuit. You may wish to file a claim against Bird scooter, and our law firm can help.
Defects and Injuries
Bird scooters are electronic and operate based on batteries that are charged at charging stations overnight. Contracted individuals will drive around and pick up the scooters and take them home to be charged before redistributing them somewhere on the street in the morning. There is a lot of opportunity for the scooters to get broken during this time.
However, scooters can also be produced with defects during the manufacturing process. There can be numerous issues that may not be readily apparent or that are lying dormant, waiting to cause accidents. Some of the defects that can cause crashes include:
- Faulty wiring and electronics: The scooters run on electricity, and if there are troubles, the scooter may inadvertently start, stop, and lose control. Further, it could display an improper charge, which could result in someone believing he has much more time on the scooter than he really does. If the scooter dies mid-ride, it could lead to accidents.
- Broken wheels: A wheel that is broken can fall off. This can be potentially devastating if it happens at max speed and while on a busy street.
- Flat tires: Bird scooters do not have thick tires; they are filled with air and may go flat after some miles. If a technician does not catch this or fix it, the added weight on a scooter could cause a crash.
- Battery problems: If the battery is overcharged or overheated, it can catch fire during a ride, leading to an extreme accident.
- Broken handlebars: You may not be able to properly control the scooter if the handlebars break or if they are too wobbly or loose.
- Broken brakes: It is absolutely crucial that all Bird scooters have brake systems that sufficiently work. A lack of brakes can cause fatal accidents.
- Throttle Issues: Similar to brake issues, a throttle that won’t stop accelerating the scooter can be just as dangerous; you won’t be able to slow down if the throttle is stuck.
Due to the various ways accidents can happen, it is no wonder that there are equally as many potential injuries that can arise. Some of the potential injuries we’ve seen include:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Closed head injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations, abrasions, cuts, and bruises
- Facial scarring and disfigurement
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Degloving
- Paralysis
- Severed limbs and digits
Steps to Take after a Bird Scooter Accident
If you were riding a Bird scooter when a defect caused an accident, you should follow these steps. They will make sure that you are safe after the incident and that you are aptly prepared to take legal action.
- Get medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel you were injured. The paramedics can treat you at the scene or you can go to the doctor. Some injuries may not manifest until days after the accident, and a skilled healthcare professional can identify them ahead of time. The longer you wait to seek medical treatment, the more difficult it will be to prove that your injuries were caused as a result of the scooter crash. You should request the medical notes from whoever examined you.
- Alert Bird to the accident by filing an incident report with them. You should also take a screenshot of the ride information to show that you did, in fact, rent the scooter and that you were in the middle of a ride when the accident happened.
- If you have the ability to keep the scooter, take it home with you. If you can’t, take as many photographs of the damages as you can.
- You should also take pictures of your injuries and the scene of the accident to show the circumstances and results of the incident.
- If you were hit by another vehicle, you should call the police to help deal with the situation. You can then request a copy of the police report.
- Reach out to a qualified attorney who can sue Bird scooter for the accident. You may want to try to handle your claim by yourself, but we advise against this. If you suffered any physical harm in the crash, you may find it difficult to convince the company that you deserve compensation. They may say that you are exaggerating your damages or that you contributed to the defect in some way. A lawyer can ensure that this does not happen.
Reach out to our law group today to file a lawsuit against Bird scooter company.
Legal Details
Generally, product liability lawsuits are filed based on a flaw in the design process or manufacturing process, or else there is an absence of a failure to warn. In the case of a defective scooter, there may have been a problem at the plant or something broke while the scooters were in use. This means that you can file a personal injury or product liability claim depending on the circumstances of your case.
Can I sue Bird scooter if their scooter was defective and I got injured?
Yes, you can sue Bird scooter if their scooter was damaged and you got injured. As long as you can prove that the scooter was defective prior to you riding it and you did not cause the malfunction or contribute to the accident, you will likely be able to sue Bird for damages.
Can I sue Bird for an accident if a Bird scooter was damaged and broken and I got hurt?
Yes, you can sue Bird for an accident if a Bird scooter was broken and damaged and you got hurt because of the defect. If you were not injured in the accident, you will not be able to file a personal injury claim for your damages. You will only be able to collect compensation for property damage.
Can you sue if you fell off a Bird scooter and you got injured?
Yes, you can sue if you fell off a Bird scooter and got injured, but only if you fell due to a defect with the scooter. If you were not wearing a helmet or if you were riding without using your hands, you would likely not be able to file a lawsuit against the company.
Can you sue Bird for accidents on a Bird electric scooter?
Yes, you can sue Bird for accidents on a Bird electric scooter, provided you have enough evidence to show that the crash was not your fault and could have been prevented had Bird been more careful with its scooter and properly fixed it.
Compensation You Can Receive from a Lawsuit
If you were a victim of a Bird scooter accident and the cause of the crash was a defect with the vehicle, you could face a large settlement from the company. The company is supposed to provide its customers with safe scooters that will pose no danger to the riders; the presence of any defects is grounds for a lawsuit. Our lawyers can ensure that you receive ample coverage, including:
- Medical expenses from the past and future (surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medication, and more)
- Lost wages from the past and future if you missed days due to the injury or other medical treatments
- Property damage if your personal belongings were damaged or lost in the incident
- Emotional pain and suffering (PTSD, anxiety, fear, psychological stress)
Although rare, it is possible that a loved one or a family member could pass away from injuries related to a defective scooter accident. In this case, you should look into wrongful death expenses, which can cover the costs of the funeral, pre-death medical bills and pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of expected savings and inheritance, and much more.
If you wish to file a lawsuit against Bird Scooter for injury caused by a broken scooter, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law group in Los Angeles.
Deadline to File a Claim against Bird
It can be confusing to know when your statute of limitations for a Bird scooter accident will run out. In California, the statute is 2 years from the date of the injury; if you take too long, though, the time limit will run out and you won’t ever be able to file a claim and pursue compensation for those damages stemming from the accident. Fortunately, our lawyers always pay careful attention to important dates and will be able to ensure that your claim is filed on time and that you miss no crucial deadlines.
We will also be able to tell you if you are able to have your statute temporarily extended. This can happen due to the injuries you suffered preventing you from taking legal action or the defendant not being present in the state for some time. The statute would begin counting down once the situations return to normal.
If you need assistance determining how much time you have left to sue Bird scooter company for damages from your accident.
Our Law Group
Our Los Angeles law firm, Kenmore Law Group, promises to help you through every step of the legal process. Our aggressive attorneys will strive to secure you the compensation you deserve and will not stop working until you are satisfied with the settlement we bring you. If Bird is resistant and does not wish to make a worthwhile offer, we will take your case to court.
For more information, set up a legal consultation with one of our expert lawyers. All of our consultations and free and confidential. They are perfect opportunities for you to ask questions, learn about the legal process, and get sufficient advice. If you choose us to represent you in a lawsuit against Bird, we’ll grant you our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you won’t touch your savings for our services. We won’t get paid unless and until we win your case, and if we lose, you won’t owe us a single cent.
To file a personal injury lawsuit against Bird for injuries you suffered from a defective scooter crash, call Kenmore Law Group today.
