South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
Over the past few years, and ever since the popularity of bike shares has taken off, scooter shares have begun to crop up across the country. A Florida scooter share is a system by which users can rent electric scooters on a short-term basis. Most of the scooters are electric and dockless, meaning that they can be left anywhere. Thus, the scooters can be tracked by GPS, and users looking for a nearby scooter can use an app to search for a nearby scooter. For some, electric scooters are a great way to get around and enjoy the city; however, Florida scooter accidents have dramatically increased since scooter shares have come into existence.
As of earlier this year, there were scooter shares in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa. However, the companies that operate scooter-share are constantly looking for new opportunities. Many cities are reluctant to allow scooter shares, for fear of an increase in the number of serious scooter accidents. Most of the concerns surrounding scooter shares relate to the fact that inexperienced riders are able to take motorized vehicles out on the road with no training or supervision. Some have also raised the concern that the lightweight scooters could get picked up in the heavy winds of a hurricane, turning them into “flying menaces.”
Recently, cities across Florida have started to implement scooter-share bans. In fact, in a recent state appellate court decision, Panama City, Florida passed a law prohibiting the use of overnight scooter rentals. Because the dockless nature of the scooters allowed them to be left essentially anywhere in the city, this had the effect of preventing a scooter-share from opening. The company intending on opening up the scooter-share filed an appeal, and the city’s law was upheld. The court noted that the city had the right to pass the law “when the undisputed facts demonstrate that the restriction is for the safety of the city’s citizens and visitors.”
The case goes to show the legitimate dangers posed by scooter-shares and, to a certain extent, the riders who use them. Certainly, not all users are irresponsible, however, allowing an inexperienced rider to take out a scooter with no training or supervision seems to be a recipe for disaster. Some have also raised concerns over the maintenance of the scooters, citing issues with the brakes and acceleration.
Have You Been Injured in a South Florida Scooter Accident?
If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a South Florida scooter accident, the dedicated injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can help. At our Miami personal injury law firm, we represent injury victims in all types of personal injury claims across South Florida, including in Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. We pride ourselves in providing a unique form of client-centered representation that always puts our clients’ interests first. We aggressively advocate on your behalf when negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, a trial. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, call 877-499-HURT (4878) today.