A recall of the Lime electric scooter has removed a number of the popular rental devices from the roads after people reported the scooters broke apart while in use. It is not currently clear if any of the 250 Lime scooters now found around Raleigh are part of the recall. A detailed article on the matter appears here.
A Matter of Risk
North Carolina is one of only four states with Contributory Negligence—a section of the law that means riders or operators are not entitled to recovery if they contribute to their own injuries in any way. Often, riders do not have to actually cause the accident to be considered a contributor. For those who ride Lime and other electric scooters, this greatly raises the stakes—as most home and auto insurance policies do not typically cover such devices.
Injuries on the Rise
Jeff Hammerstein—the Assistant Chief of Wake County Emergency Medical Services (EMS)—stated that paramedics responded to 22 crashes involving electric scooters between July and October. He noted the injuries encountered can be very serious or even life-threatening—even in a low-speed incident. Current regulations require riders to be aged 18 or older—and to wear a helmet.
The Current Status
Despite North Carolina’s law of Contributory Negligence, the Raleigh City Council has crafted an agreement which requires Lime and Bird—another popular manufacturer of electric scooters—be held responsible for any damage caused by the scooters. The agreement includes property damage, personal injury, and death—even in cases of user negligence.
According to the document, the rental companies are responsible for legal fees and civil penalties related to use of the scooters. The agreement also requires both companies maintain sufficient funding in order to reimburse the city for the cost of any property maintenance or repairs incurred.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident through no fault of your own, call the experienced North Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys at Henson Fuerst today at 919-781-1107 or complete a free initial consultation form.
When you call, you will speak with one of our experienced Raleigh Personal Injury attorneys. They will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to protect your rights. At Henson Fuerst, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front—and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
Call Henson Fuerst, Because Your Case Matters
