Articles Posted in Scooter Accident

by

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a collision in Gainesville last week sent a teenage girl to the hospital.

According to the Alachua Chronicle, the incident happened near the 4600 block of SW Archer Road on Sept. 18.  The FHP said a 21-year-old Gainesville woman was driving a Toyota sedan westbound at about 11:19 p.m. when she struck a scooter in the right lane operated by a 17-year-old girl from Lakeland.  The girl was ejected from the scooter and seriously injured.

She was taken to UF Health Shands for treatment.  The victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, troopers said.

by

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a crash in Pasco County involving a wrong-way driver claimed the life of a scooter rider, reports WFLA.

The accident happened Thursday evening near the intersection of Pretty Pond Road and Chenken Road.

According to the FHP’s investigation, the driver of a van was going east in the westbound lanes of Pretty Pond Road and crashed nearly head-on into a motorized scooter headed east.

by

CRYSTAL RIVER, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking the public’s help in finding a driver who injured two scooter riders earlier this month.

According to the Citrus County Chronicle, the incident occurred July 10 as the two victims were riding a scooter on U.S. 19 near Northwest Sixth Avenue near Crystal River.

The FHP said the driver of a northbound vehicle hit the rear of the scooter as it traveled in the outside lane at about 9:25 p.m. and both riders were ejected.  The two, both residents of Hudson, sustained serious and minor injuries.

by

On Tuesday, 15 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and Bogota, Colombia, said they have created a nonprofit called the Open Mobility Foundation, devoted to collecting, maintaining, and standardizing information about where shared vehicles, including cars, scooters, jet packs, and bicycles are parked.

The foundation will take control of the Mobility Data Specification, a digital tool created by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. LADOT has used the standard to solicit and organize information about shared scooters: where they’re parked, where they’re traveling, and whether they’re broken or charged. Cities can also use the tool to share information with the companies about any special events in the area that might lead to an increased demand in vehicles.

For now, the tool has been used only to collect and share information on scooters and bicycles. But the cities who now control it believe the data standard could be used to one day regulate shared cars and even autonomous taxis.

At least 50 other global cities, seeking a simple way to keep track of the new and often controversial scooters on their streets, have adopted the Mobility Data Standard too. Many require companies to submit data in that format if they want to operate in the cities. This is something they can do because scooters, unlike ride-hailing companies, are generally regulated on the municipal level.

The cities say the info will help them improve their transportation systems and make them safer and easier to navigate. There are safety challenges that still need to be solved and the hope is that this system can help with all of that. 

The data also helps cities regulate the transportation companies, letting officials know whether the vehicles are operating in the proper places. This makes it easier to identify where these vehicles are being used illegally and what needs to be done to stop it. It also helps cities see which neighborhoods are using the scooters more. 

Initially, companies were against the data standard. These companies have argued that intensive government data-collection efforts could harm users, because governments may not be able to safeguard the information. Privacy advocates have also objected to the tool.

Now that responsibility for the data standard is in the hands of some of the country’s most important transportation officials, handling sensitive data will be a very important undertaking for the foundation. 

Not every private company has been invited to work with the cities on this new foundation. Only Spin, a scooter-share operator owned by Ford, and scooter-share unicorn Bird are “founding members” of the Open Mobility Foundation. City officials who created the foundation did not approach Uber and Lyft, which run bike- and scooter-share businesses and supported local legislation that would restrict what kinds of data cities are allowed to collect.

Moving control of the standard to a foundation doesn’t resolve the messy politics around scooters. But, it could be a large step in the right direction. Only time will tell. 

Bird and Spin provides electronic scooters for people to rent to travel short distances instead of hailing an Uber or Lyft. You need to downloaded the app to use the scooters and pay a small unlock fee and then a travel charge. The app shows where the scooters are located and how much of a charge each one has. They can travel up to 15 mph and are a great option to get around congested locations that are not too far apart. The benefit of using the scooters is that you can leave them at the location you arrive at, and you are not required to bring them to a nearby docking station or return them to your initial destination. You can simply leave the scooters wherever you stop and they will be collected at night and redistributed by morning by independent chargers. 

There are numerous ways that you can get injured from Bird or Spin scooters, and many times another person can be responsible for your injuries or the scooter or the company is liable. Those who wish to ride the scooters need to pay attention to the rules and regulations that accompany the vehicles. While the scooters themselves have warnings on them, a full list of do’s and don’ts can be found on the app. 

  • Always wear a helmet when riding. 
  • Only have 1 person ride a scooter at a time. The scooters are not designed to hold the weight of two people. 
  • You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a scooter.
  • Keep at least one hand on the handlebars and do not carry or hold any belongings, materials, or items that would make it difficult or impossible for you to safely maneuver the scooter.
  • Never hitch the scooter or user to another car or any other automobile during operation.
  • Use bike lanes and avoid the sidewalk as much as possible.
  • Park the scooter in a safe space so that it is not in the way of pedestrian traffic, and do not leave the scooter on its side on the sidewalk or in the street.
  • Do not operate the scooter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Continue reading

by
Posted in:
Updated:

by

A 73-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a pickup truck while she was riding a moped in Groveland Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Winter Haven woman was driving a 2005 Honda scooter north on State Road 33 behind a Honda pickup.

The truck driver drove onto the road’s shoulder before making a U-turn to drive south on S.R. 33. The truck collided with her scooter about 10:55 a.m.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was taken to South Lake Hospital with minor injuries.

The crash is under investigation and charges are pending.

When drivers are making a turn of any kind they have an obligation to look out for other vehicles. Unfortunately, they are often focused on cars and trucks and fail to see motorcyclists, bikers, moped drivers and pedestrians. When cars make a left turn or U-turn without seeing a rider they are not giving the rider enough time to react and can hit the motorcycle, scooter or moped causing severe injuries or even wrongful death. Even if the rider is able to maneuver in a way where they avoid a collision, they can still be injured or killed for taking such evasive action.

When a motorcyclist or a moped driver is involved in an accident with a larger vehicle, the motorcyclist will suffer the most serious injuries in the majority of instances. Moped riders and bikers are much more vulnerable than automobile drivers and lack the protection of a metal frame.

Continue reading

by

According to deputies, a man was killed Saturday while riding a scooter in Pompano Beach.

The 22-year-old Lake Worth man died in the crash that happened shortly before 9 p.m., the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators say the man was heading west in the center lane of the 900 block of Southwest Third Street at the overpass when he was struck by a GMC Yukon being driven by a 48-year-old woman.

The woman stopped to help the man after the crash but he died after being taken to Broward Health North, according to reports.

Investigators believe the man was going around the 35 mph speed limit at the time of the crash. Neither she nor a witness reported seeing the scooter before the crash, according to the sheriff’s office.

Scooters sharing the roads with other vehicles can bring about serious dangers. Scooters can be hard to spot for driver who is not paying attention, and many motorists do not take enough care to keep an eye out for them. Scooters are always at risk of being hit, and scooter operators are always the ones at a disadvantage due to the fact that scooters offer so little fall and impact protection.

Even the most defensive scooter driver cannot be protected from negligent motorists. When someone else is responsible for causing your injury or a loved one’s death, you can file a suit for financial compensation for the damages you have suffered, including:

  • Medical costs
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Funeral expenses

Continue reading

by

A 26-year-old man on a scooter suffered serious injuries after a crash Tuesday morning in Clearwater.

According to police, the man was riding a scooter that collided with an SUV just before 7 a.m. on Belcher Road just north of Drew Street.

The man is in critical condition at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

Officers believe the man was travelling northbound on Belcher Road on his scooter when the 48-year-old driver of the SUV tried to exit a convenience store parking lot to go southbound on Belcher, triggering the collision.

Authorities claim the scooter driver was not wearing a helmet.

An investigation into the crash is pending.

Scooter vs. automobile accidents can be deadly, strictly due to the size and lack of protection that a scooter provides to a driver. If a scooter driver/passenger does survive, they are likely left suffering severe injuries. Most scooter accidents involve ejections and not wearing a helmet can only make these injuries more tragic.

There are many reasons for scooter vs. automobile accidents, including reckless or negligent driving, drivers failing to see the scooter, poor visibility/bad weather, roadway defects and even driver impairment. Regardless of what caused an accident, it is important to get an injury attorney involved right away to make sure all evidence is promptly collected, witnesses are interviewed and insurance companies involved are dealt with accordingly. Our Clearwater Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton know that these types of cases can be complex, mostly because insurance companies are quick to place the blame on the scooter driver. We can help make sure your rights are protected and that we do everything we can to recover full and fair compensation on your behalf for all injuries.

Continue reading

by

Hoverboards, the popular gift of 2015 has been causing injuries all across South Florida this holiday season.

Hospitals in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties have seen at least 40 visits due to hoverboards. Injuries included broken and fractured wrists, as well as concussions.

Earlier this month, the scooters made headlines after reports of some catching fire. In one Boca Raton case, a woman told police her 11-year-old daughter was playing on the board when it started making popping sounds. It was on fire moments after the child jumped off, according to a report.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has said it is investigating the fire hazard posed by the toy.

In most of the local cases, though, falls have been the number cause for injuries.

While some injuries have been more mild, others have been seriously harmed. A 10-year-old from the Hialeah area, had to be airlifted from Memorial Hospital Miramar to Joe DiMaggio Hospital in Hollywood for emergency surgery when his fall left his bone poking out from his skin – an open fracture.

The Hoverboard reportedly stalled as he was riding to his friend’s house and he fell.

The boy is expected to recover within three months.

The Hoverboard, a self-balancing electric scooter, was named the hottest holiday gift for 2015. In fact, to prove its popularity, on Cyber Monday one was sold every 12 seconds. Even though this gadget is a big hit among kids and adults, hoverboards have come under scrutiny due to serious safety concerns.

The U.S. National Association of State Fire Marshals and the National Trading Standards in the United Kingdom have both issued warnings to consumers that Hoverboards could potentially overheat, explode, or catch fire, mainly due to faulty charging mechanisms.

Continue reading

by

The death toll on U.S. highways rose 8.1 percent in the first half of 2015.

According to new figures from the Transportation Department, low fuel prices have contributed to a jump in miles driven by Americans.

The preliminary figures represent a “troubling departure” from a general downward trend over the past decade, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report released Tuesday.

In 2014, the fatality rate hit an all-time low.

Americans drove about 51.9 billion miles more in the first half of 2015 than the same period last year, which equates to about a 3.5 percent increase, according to the NHTSA. Job growth and low fuel prices also may be factors in the sudden, unexpected surge in highway fatalities, the agency said. There was also more leisure travel and driving by young people, which can contribute to higher fatality rates.

The sad news is that the death rate also increased. Fatalities per million vehicle-miles driven rose in the first half of 2015 was 1.06 percent, or 4.4 percent higher than the same period in 2014.

In final figures for 2014, 32,675 people died in U.S. motor-vehicle crashes, a 0.1 percent decline from 2013. The fatality rate declined to 1.07 deaths per million vehicle-miles traveled, which was a record low for a complete year.

States in the Southeast — Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee — saw a 15 percent increase in fatalities. The second highest increase, 11 percent, was recorded in a group of Western states: Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. California and Arizona saw no increase in fatalities, and the New England region saw an increase of 1 percent.

The biggest factors in traffic fatalities remain the lack of seatbelt use and drunk driving, according to reports. Nearly half of all people killed in road crashes do not wear seat belts, and one-third of all fatalities are in crashes involve intoxicated drivers.

Distracted driving accounted for 3,179 deaths in 2014, about 10 percent of the total. Drowsy driving was involved in 2.6 percent of the fatalities.

States without mandatory motorcycle helmet laws saw a “far higher” number of fatalities than states with mandatory helmet laws, according to reports. There were 1,565 motorcycle deaths in 2014.

Bicyclist deaths declined by 2.3 percent, but pedestrian deaths rose by 3.1 percent from the previous year. In 2014, there were 726 cyclists and 4,884 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Continue reading

by

Two boys riding dirt bikes are recovering in the hospital after being hit by a car on Christmas Eve.

The boys, 13 and 16, were riding their bikes around Southwest 66th Terrace and Southwest 28th Street when a Nissan Altima hit them around 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Miramar Police spokeswoman.

The two boys were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

dirt bike betch.jpgThe driver of the Altima reportedly stayed at the scene after the accident. Police are still investigating the incident.

Dirt bikes and ATV’s, otherwise known as all-terrain vehicles, can be fun for individuals of all ages, but they are also notorious for being very dangerous. Dirt bike and ATV accidents can result in serious injuries, paralysis and even death. If you or someone you care for has suffered an injury from dirt bike or ATV accident, it is important to consult with a Broward County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton immediately. We represent individuals who have been injured on a dirt bike, motorcycle or ATV throughout Broward County, including the cities of Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderhill, Lazy Lake, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Port Everglades, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Park, Weston and Wilton Manors.

Continue reading

Contact Information