Bicycles have been the preferred mode of transportation for children for decades, but scooters have certainly gained in popularity as well. Children and teenagers, as well as many adults, use bicycles and scooters to get around their neighborhoods or to speed up their travel in a downtown area on a weekend adventure with loved ones.
Bicycles and scooters allow people to get some exercise while reducing the strain required to cover significant distances, especially if they are electric. They are fast and fun, but they can also be very dangerous. Drivers in motor vehicles often aren’t always on the lookout for cyclists and those on scooters in the ways that they should be.
Who is responsible for the costs of a bicycle or scooter crash involving a car?
The driver of the motor vehicle
In many cases, it will be obvious but the person in the motor vehicle was to blame for the crash that left someone on a scooter or a bicycle injured. Drivers typically have insurance that will pay for medical costs, lost wages and property damage expenses if they cause a crash. If the driver doesn’t have insurance or has a bad policy, then the hurt cyclist or scooter rider could potentially file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.
The bike or scooter company
Occasionally, there could be a defect with the bike or scooter that could make the crash at least partially the responsibility of the manufacturer. Other times, it could be a maintenance issue because someone rented a pay-per-use e-bike or scooter. It is sometimes possible to bring a claim against the businesses that manufacture or rent out these small vehicles if a defect or maintenance issue leads to someone getting hurt.
Occasionally, scooter riders and cyclists use their own insurance coverage to help pay for some of their expenses. Provided that they have a car, they may have a policy that applies when the other driver doesn’t have insurance or has a very bad policy. Knowing who has financial responsibility is important for those involved in a cycling or scooting collision. Seeking legal guidance is usually a good place to start.
