Scooter Accident Lawyer Indianapolis, IN
If you find yourself in the position to file a personal injury lawsuit because of a scooter accident, you need the help of an Indianapolis, IN scooter accident lawyer from Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers. After all, most people never expect to be in this situation. One of the most fundamental things you need to understand is the different types of damages you could receive because of a scooter accident. Damages are essentially the different things that the defendant can be forced to compensate the plaintiff for if the courts rule in favor of the plaintiff. Understanding damages will help you make the right claims when filing. Remember to speak with a personal injury lawyer Indianapolis, IN knows early to be sure you follow the process correctly.
Types of Damages
A knowledgeable scooter accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN knows there are three types of damages that can be a part of a scooter accident lawsuit. These are just categories, which can each contain dozens of different specific claims. The three types of damages are:
- Special compensatory damages
- General compensatory damages
- Punitive damages
Special compensatory damages are the most basic. They represent any financial losses you suffered as a result of the injury. For example, if you had to pay a $500 medical bill, that would fall into this category because it is financial in nature. The easiest way to tell if something is a special compensatory damage is to try and put an objective dollar value on it. If you are able to, it is in this category. If you have to estimate the value, it is not. Examples include lost wages, loss of earning ability, medical equipment purchases, and damage to property.
General compensatory damages account for all non-financial suffering. The most common claim in this category is pain and suffering. Essentially, if you suffered in any way outside of monetarily, claims for compensation will be general compensatory damages. Examples of general compensatory damages include emotional distress, loss of movement, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. It is even possible to be compensated for a divorce if it was the direct result of the injury somehow. Speak with your scooter accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN about these types of damages if you have any questions.
The third kind of damages is very different from the other two. Punitive damages do not represent compensation of any kind. Rather, punitive damages are meant to act as a punishment for the defendant. They are rare in personal injury cases, but they are assigned by the judge when the defendant acted especially irresponsible, such as by driving while drunk.
Get Help From a Trusted Scooter Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN Today!
The first step you should always take when preparing for a personal injury lawsuit from a scooter accident is to speak with an attorney. You should have legal representation to have the best chance of winning your case. For help from one of our scooter accident lawyers in Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers, call now!
Scooter Accident Attorney – Indianapolis, IN
Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers specializes in personal injury law and our Indianapolis, IN scooter accident attorney can help your family get the justice you deserve. Scooter accidents are typically serious, and fatalities are not unusual. Even the safest scooter operators are vulnerable to careless and negligent drivers of passenger vehicles and trucks. Even a pedestrian can injure a scooter rider who must swerve to avoid them because they didn’t look both ways before stepping into the crosswalk. If you lost your loved one in an otherwise avoidable accident caused by another individual, contact us. Our Indianapolis, IN scooter accident attorney team represents non-motorists and their families after catastrophic accidents occur because someone else violated motor vehicle laws or acted in a negligent manner. Call us today to schedule a complimentary case review with a seasoned scooter accident attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana.
What is a personal injury claim?
When a non-motorist is injured due to the action or inaction of another party, they can file a damage claim against the negligent party. If the non-motorist was killed in the accident, their surviving family members can file a claim on their behalf with the assistance of a skilled Indianapolis, IN scooter accident attorney. Even the most substantial settlement will not compensate you for your suffering or bring back your loved one, but it can pay for the resulting medical bills and lost income. After a review of your family’s circumstances, our firm can provide you with an estimate of the value of your claim.
A civil lawsuit is a legal action that an injured non-motorist or their surviving family member can take against the at-fault party with the assistance of an Indianapolis, IN scooter accident attorney. The lawsuit usually begins with a personal injury claim that the plaintiff’s scooter accident lawyer files with the court. Similarly, if an insurer refuses to pay the victim a fair settlement and refuses to negotiate in good faith, an attorney may advise the victim to escalate any relevant insurance claims to a lawsuit.
If you have been harmed or lost your loved one in an accident, the first step you should take involves contacting an experienced an Indianapolis, IN scooter accident attorney. After a review of the circumstances surrounding the accident, you should gain a clearer understanding of whether or not your claim meets the legal criteria for seeking compensation. We do not charge victims or their surviving family member for a case review, and there is no obligation to hire our Indianapolis, IN personal injury attorney team should you decide to take action after the conclusion of an initial consultation.
Scooter Accident Lawyer Indianapolis
If you have been injured in Indianapolis in an accident involving a scooter, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a scooter accident lawyer from Indianapolis. If you are in the horrific situation of grieving over the loss of a family member because of a scooter accident, a lawyer that is licensed to defend the rights of accident victims throughout the state of Indiana may be able to help you and your loved one’s other surviving family members, seek justice by holding the person or party that is responsible for this, accountable for their wrongdoings.
When someone is injured because of someone else’s negligence, malice or recklessness, they may be entitled to compensation for expenses related to their accident, as well as for their pain and suffering. When a family loses one of its members, they too may be entitled to monetary compensation for similar reasons, as well for their loss and grief. If one of these has happened to you because of an accident involving a scooter, it does not matter whether the injured person was the scooter operator or not, a scooter accident lawyer in Indianapolis may be able to help.
Rules to Rent
There are about a dozen companies that are currently in the electric scooter ride-sharing business throughout the country. Indiana has four companies within the state and there are discussions to put a cap on scooter operatives. As an Indianapolis Indiana bird scooter accident lawyer can explain, there are guidelines that scooter renters should follow.
Rental Guidelines
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- A rider must be at least 18 years of age
- A rider must have a valid driver’s license
- A rider must always wear a helmet
- A rider must ride on the street in the same direction as the traffic
- A rider must obey all the traffic rules, signals, and signs as other vehicles
- A rider must always have at least one hand on the handle of the scooter
- A rider must not exceed the recommended weight limit of the scooter
- There should never be more than one rider on the scooter at a time
Unfortunately, although scooters may be convenient, and able to get users around quickly, they can trigger a high number of accidents with injuries. According to national statistics, during the last four years, electric scooter injuries have jumped a whopping 222 percent. Those injuries include approximately 40,000 broken bones, head injuries, cuts, and bruises. And last year, that number jumped again, by 83 percent. One study found that electric scooter accident victims suffer a higher proportion of head injuries than bike accident victims do. Other common injuries suffered in scooter accidents include fractures, followed by abrasions, and contusions. The more popular these vehicles become, the more injured victims there are.
Is the scooter company liable for your injuries?
When a person is injured in a car accident with another driver, the victim can pursue damages against the at-fault driver through their insurance company or even the victim’s own insurance company. But when a victim is injured in an electric scooter accident, the road to financial compensation is more complex.
As an experienced scooter accident lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana can explain, some electric ride-sharing scooter companies claim that they have no liability if one of their electric scooters is involved in an accident. The only time a scooter rider is covered is if the injury occurred because of a defect in the scooter. It is a matter of a judge or jury to make that decision. However, it can be just one more issue that makes personal injury cases difficult. This is why having a skilled personal injury attorney Indianapolis, IN families rely upon can be critical for the success of your case.
Who Is Liable for an Electric Scooter Accident?
Another issue that can be a factor in an electric scooter case is liability insurance. When a scooter driver receives injuries, their own insurance may cover medicals. This may include vehicle insurance, homeowners’ insurance, umbrella insurance, and electric scooter insurance if offered by the company. Keep in mind that the scooter driver’s insurance policies may stipulate they do not cover electric scooter accidents.
Who is responsible if the scooter driver causes your injuries?
If the scooter driver is at-fault for a pedestrian injury, there may be no insurance in place to cover the pedestrian’s losses. This doesn’t mean that the victim has no legal options. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help.
Call an Experienced Scooter Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana
No matter what the circumstances were with the electric scooter accident you were injured in, a scooter accident lawyer Indianapolis Indiana clients recommend from Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call our office today at (317) 639-9501. And ask for attorney Charlie Ward!
If you think you may be in need of a highly rated scooter accident lawyer in Indianapolis, contact Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers, as soon as you can.
