Since early 2018, Austin and other cities across the country have seen an increase in the number of electronic scooters on city streets. The increasing popularity of electronic scooters has led to a growing number of electronic scooter-related injuries. Now, in the span of just six days, at least eight lawsuits were filed against electronic scooter companies by individuals who claim they were injured while riding an electronic scooter in the city of Austin. The defendants include Bird, Lime, and Jump, some of the best known electronic scooter companies in the United States.
One of the lawsuits alleges that the rider was unexpectedly discharged from the front of the scooter and landed on the ground in the path of a Metro bus, which reportedly ran over the rider’s arm. In at least three of the lawsuits, the plaintiffs have alleged that the electronic scooter somehow malfunctioned during use. For example, in one case, the lawsuit alleges that the scooter came to a stop and spontaneously deactivated, causing the rider to fall to the ground. Others have alleged that their scooter had faulty brakes or that the wheels suddenly locked up while riding. In one case, the plaintiff alleges that poorly lit headlamps caused the rider to strike a pothole. At least one lawsuit includes claims that the scooter spontaneously deactivated and came to a sudden stop. The plaintiffs in each of the lawsuits allege a variety of injuries including broken bones, a dislocated shoulder, ankle and shoulder injuries, and other unspecified injuries which led to multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation. The lawsuits include a variety of claims including negligence, strict product liability, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, gross negligence, negligence, and negligent entrustment.
If you or someone you know has been injured while operating an e-scooter, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.