In many major cities, rental bikes and scooters are staples. From tourists to locals, everyone seems to love the convenience of renting one of these motorized systems to navigate the system. However, there are risks involved, so what happens when someone gets hurt?
Medical Treatment
You need to seek medical treatment right away. When you ride a scooter or bike, you don't have the same level of protection that you might have in a vehicle, so you are at an elevated risk of injuring yourself, especially if the collision involved another motor vehicle. In the event you plan to file a claim for your injury against the rental company or an insurance company, without a full medical exam, you will be unable to do so, successfully. Don't forgo treatment.
Owner Liability
The company you rented the bike from plays an important role because they could be liable. First, it's the responsibility of the company to maintain their bikes. If the company did not honor this commitment and the reason for the accident is a maintenance issue, they might be liable for your injuries. Second, these companies must inform renters how to safely use the bikes, such as how to brake. If the company does not perform this step, it could also be held liable.
User Negligence
In some instances, user negligence is to blame in these collisions, which would make the user responsible for their injuries. For example, if a rider allowed someone else to ride on the scooter when the scooter is only for one person, their negligence could play a role. Riding in areas where you know bikes and scooters aren't allowed, such as an expressway, or driving aggressively or dangerously might also mean that user negligence is to blame. When the user is responsible for their injuries, it's nearly impossible to file a suit for injury.
Statute of Limitations
If the accident happened while you were on vacation, it's important to understand that your claim will be governed by the rules of the state where the accident occurred. Every state has its own statute of limitations structure. So, even if the statute of limitations in your state is three years, if the limit is two years in the state where the incident occurred, you only have two years. Ensure you file a claim in a timely manner so that the clock does not run out.
If you or a loved one was injured on a rental bike or scooter, you should speak with an attorney. An attorney will examine your situation and help you determine the best course of action to move forward. Contact a firm, like Lerner, Piermont & Riverol, P.A., for more help.
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