If you get involved in an electric scooter accident in New Mexico, it is important to take the appropriate steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal right to pursue financial compensation. While every case is unique, taking these general steps can help you protect your well-being and keep your legal options open.
Put Your Safety First
Always put your physical health and safety first after any type of vehicle accident. Get to a safe location, away from the flow of traffic, to prevent additional collisions. If you can, move to a sidewalk or another secure area to check yourself for injuries.
Common injuries suffered in e-scooter accidents include broken bones, head and brain injuries, neck injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, lacerations, and road rash. If you notice any signs of an injury, seek professional medical care immediately.
Report the E-Scooter Accident to the Police
Call 911 to report the e-scooter accident to the police, or have someone do so for you. Tell the police what happened but do not admit fault for the accident. Write down your police report number before you leave so you can obtain a copy later.
While Nebraska law requires all traffic accidents that cause injuries, deaths or more than $1,500 in property damage to be reported to the police, you should call in after a minor e-scooter accident to obtain a police report for your insurance claim.
Exchange Information With Others Involved
Identify the participants involved in the e-scooter accident and obtain their names and contact information. This includes the driver of a motor vehicle that hit you, passengers in the vehicle, eyewitnesses to the accident, and the electric scooter company (such as Lime or Bird for a rentable e-scooter).
Take Photographs of the Scene
Before you leave the location where the e-scooter accident took place, take photographs to document the scene. Capture images of any relevant details, such as property damage, physical injuries, road signs, road and weather conditions, and the scene as a whole. Look around for any traffic or surveillance video cameras that may have recorded the crash, as well.
Notify the E-Scooter Company
If you get involved in an accident while riding a rented e-scooter in Nebraska, notify the rental company. Many rentable, dockless electric scooter companies that operate in the state have specific accident-reporting protocols, such as submitting a report through the app or calling the company’s customer service number. Explain what happened but do not admit fault.
File an Insurance Claim
Once you have seen a doctor and gained a better understanding of your injuries, file an insurance claim against the at-fault person’s insurance company. The liable party may be the driver who hit you, the e-scooter company for a defective device or the government for an unsafe roadway. Do not give the insurance company a recorded statement and do not sign a Release of Liability Waiver until you have spoken to an attorney.
Consult With an E-Scooter Accident Attorney
E-scooter accident cases can be confusing and difficult to navigate on your own. If you suffered severe injuries, a loved one died in a fatal e-scooter accident or you encounter challenges during the insurance claims process, contact an e-scooter accident attorney at The Fine Law Firm to request a free consultation. We can help you protect your rights and seek the financial compensation that you deserve.