Throughout the country, including several cities in Texas, e-scooters are the newest alternative to the usual forms of public transportation. E-scooters are dockless electronic scooters. These scooters allow users to rent them by smartphone app and the rider can leave the scooter wherever they want when they are done. The scooters can travel as fast as 15 miles per hour. The e-scooter companies contend that the scooters offer users an environmentally friendly and efficient means of transportation. However, as the e-scooters increase in popularity, so have safety concerns for both users and pedestrians.
A class action lawsuit has been filed in California against several e-scooter companies. The lawsuit alleges that the companies are grossly negligent and aiding and abetting in assault. Lawyers for the plaintiffs contend that the e-scooter companies are negligent by leaving the scooters on public streets without appropriate warnings. The plaintiffs claim they were injured when e-scooter users struck the plaintiffs from behind which caused severe injuries. The suit claims the scooters are not suitable for repeated use in public places. Allegations claiming the scooters are poorly maintained are also on the rise. Further there have also been reports of injuries to scooter users. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that a 24-year-old man fell from an e-scooter and was killed due to blunt force injuries to his head.
Local governments are taking various actions in response to e-scooters. Some cities have outright banned the scooters. Other cities, like San Francisco, issued a temporary ban of the scooters while government officials enacted regulations.
If you or someone you know has been injured by the negligence of others, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-231-9360 or toll free at 1‑800-594-4884.