Bolt Scooters – Bolt Scooters accident lawyers

The electronic scooter phenomenon is still going strong in numerous cities across the country. Los Angeles in particular is home to numerous brands of scooters, some of which have more units deployed than others do. Bolt is one such company that has recently been rebranded from Taxify. Its current iteration is backed by Usain Bolt, the Olympic gold medalist runner. The scooters are noticeably different from other brands in a few ways. As with all scooters, Bolt scooters can be dangerous to operate and may lead to injuries if there are accidents with them. You should take appropriate legal action against responsible parties if you are involved in a scooter accident, whether you were on one or if you were hit by one. Our team of Bolt scooter accident lawyers at the Downtown LA Law Group will be glad to help you with a lawsuit against Bolt or if you were injured while riding a Bolt scooter.

What are Bolt scooters?

Bolt scooters are another form of electronic scooters that are present in numerous big cities across the country. They are free to unlock and cost 50 cents per minute to ride as opposed to the traditional $1 unlock and 15 cent per minute fees that are present with other scooters. The added cost is explained as covering the numerous additional safety features and amenities that are present on the scooters. Bolt scooters have various differences from other scooters, including the following:

• Batteries that can be swapped out and exchanged for fresh ones so that the entire scooter does not need to brought to a charging station or dock; these batteries have long charges and can be charged at stations
• A small space that can hold backpacks, purses, bags, and other belongings, located between the feet
• Phone charging stations or USB ports for electronics
• Cup holders and drink holders to place thermoses, coffee, water bottles, and more
• Full aluminum frame to increase sturdiness and durability
• A system that introduces the rider to the concepts of the scooter, the brakes, the throttle, and more
• Dual brake system for both wheels instead of just the rear wheel, leading to safer and more effective stops
• LED lights present on the front and back of the scooter to provide ample visibility for the rider and so that the scooter can be seen by other individuals and vehicles
• 10-inch wheels that can more easily maneuver through the city, climb curbs, safely traverse potholes and cracks, and more
• Foot pads that are on either side of a single piece of plastic

The foot pads are perhaps the most noticeable difference on the scooters. The platform of most scooters forces riders to stand off center with one foot behind the other, but on Bolt scooters, riders can stand straight ahead with their feet parallel. This helps lower the center of gravity of the riders to improve balance, and it allows them to have a full plane of vision they otherwise would not have with turned bodies. In this regard, the scooters are similar to the vehicles made by Segway. Bolt operates with small variations from other scooter companies. It has 24/7 live support to help riders with any issues for one, and it does not participate in the gig economy. Other scooters must be picked up by people, charged, and dropped off again. Instead, individuals employed by Bolt will go around, collect batteries, and exchange them. They will also perform basic maintenance and fix the things that are broken on the scooters.

What are the causes of Bolt scooter accidents?

Bolt scooter accidents can happen for a number of reasons, some of which can be attributed to the riders, while others could be blamed on outside sources. The scooters are much more durable and rugged, though, which would seemingly protect riders in some situations, whereas if they were riding other scooters, they may suffer injuries. One such example of this is the terrain on which the rider is driving. Scooters with small wheels and instability can hit potholes and cracks, causing them to lose control, get stuck, or suddenly fall. Riders may get thrown over the handlebars or tossed from the scooter altogether. Bolt scooters, though, have large wheels and are more balanced than other scooters, so riders can travel over these areas with less chance of crashes or accidents. Defective environments, rain, holes, and more problems are usually common causes of scooter accidents. The lights on the scooters are meant to prevent accidents since they are not as easy to see as other vehicles on the road. However, if the lights are broken or off, then they are just as vulnerable as ever. Scooter riders should always be very wary of other drivers on the road, especially if they are not riding in bike lanes. These other drivers can easily cause accidents and crash into them, causing severe accidents and devastating injuries. Riders themselves can also cause accidents. They may ride recklessly and swerve around areas that are hard to maneuver in, or they may not ride in the bike lane and instead on the sidewalk or right in the street. They may also deliberately ride without hands or with too many people on the scooter. It is also possible that Bolt provided defective scooters to be used. These problems can arise during the manufacturing of the scooter or during the design process. The brakes may be broken or the scooter’s frame may easily bend. The handlebars could break as well, and the scooter’s battery may suddenly die, held no charge, or overheat. The sheer number of problems that can go wrong with Bolt scooters means that riders should be prepared to handle accidents caused by Bolt’s negligence. Our team of Bolt scooter accident lawyers can sue if you were injured in an accident while riding the scooter.

How can I stay safe on a Bolt scooter?

Scooters leave riders completely exposed, and accidents can cause serious injuries. Often, you only have minimal protection available. If you wish to stay safe on a Bolt scooter, follow these guidelines:

• Always wear a helmet
• Always ride as close to the curb as you can or in a bike lane, and never on the sidewalk or in the middle of the street
• Only put one person on the scooter at a time
• Obey traffic signals and directions
• Keep at least one hand on the handlebars
• Familiarize yourself with the scooter’s brakes, functions, and speeds
• Park the scooters in safe places

There are laws that are designed to keep scooter riders safe, as well. These laws include:

• Minimum age requirement of 18 years old to ride
• Driver’s license
• Cannot ride the scooter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Scooters cannot exceed 20 mph
• Scooters can only be ridden on streets where the speed limit is 25 mph or less

What do I do if I’m in a Bolt scooter accident?

If you have been hurt in a Bolt scooter crash, you should gather ample evidence to file a lawsuit against the party that was responsible for the incident. You may have to sue Bolt or you may have to sue another entity, like a driver. You should do the following:

• Get medical help
• Acquire doctor’s notes and medical receipts
• Take photos of your injuries
• Take pictures of the scene of the incident
• Take pictures of the scooter and the vehicle that may have hit you or the problem entity
• Get necessary contact and insurance information
• Acquire video footage if possible from dashboard cameras and external security cameras
• Interview eyewitnesses, passengers, and others for their statements and testimonies
• Make a copy of the police report from the cops if they showed up to the scene of the accident
• Report the accident to Bolt

Once you have gathered all of the evidence that you can, you should look for an experienced Bolt scooter accident attorney. It is highly recommended that you avoid pursuing a claim by yourself. If you try to sue without any legal representation, you may not win due to a lack of experience or knowledge in the realm. Our Bolt scooter crash lawyers in Los Angeles can win your case for you.

What is the value of my Bolt scooter accident lawsuit?

Your Bolt scooter accident claim can be worth a fair amount of money in some circumstances. If you were seriously injured, your lawsuit might be worth over $100,000. The insurance agent handling the claim will look over the case, determine the impact of the incident, measure if you were negligent or not, and make an offer from there. We will counter the offer and negotiate a fairer deal if we do not feel the amount is worthwhile. We will work to win you the following kinds of damages:

• Medical bills from the past and future
• Lost income from the past and future
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering damages

What is the statute of limitations to sue Bolt for a scooter crash?

The statute of limitations in California for personal injury lawsuits is 2 years from the date of the injury. You cannot sue if you exceed this limit. The statute of limitations allows both sides to collect their evidence and move forward in a reasonable time frame. There are a few exceptions to the 2-year limit. Minors cannot sue and their statutes begin when they turn 18 years old if no one represents them beforehand, such as a parent or a guardian. Some individuals may have been seriously hurt and physically or mentally unable to file a claim, and their statutes would begin when they return to health. Additionally, if the defendant has vacated the state, the time limit will be suspended until he returns. If you do not know how much time you have left on your claim, or if you are unsure of what the statute of limitations is, you can call our Bolt accident lawyers today.

The Best Firm in Town

The Downtown LA Law Group has a track record of success when it comes to scooter accident cases, and Bolt claims are no different. We have a team of expert lawyers who are able to assist you. We will gladly work around the clock to win your claim and know the best tactics to succeed. Our lawyers are professional, qualified, and aggressive, and we are willing to go to court if necessary. Contact our firm today if you wish to set up a free legal consultation to discuss your claim. We will tell you how much we think your case is worth and you can ask us whatever you wish. If you hire us, we will give you our zero fee guarantee. This states that you won’t pay anything to us throughout the case. We will cover the costs, an if we win, our fees will be taken care of by the settlement we win for you. If we lose, we do not charge you anything, and you walk away with no debts to our office. To sue Bolt for injuries from a scooter accident, get in touch with our expert attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Group today.