Electric scooters are a popular way to get around in Texas. Unfortunately, e-scooter accidents aren’t all that uncommon. Whether you rent an electric scooter in the city or own your own, it’s important to know what to do if you get into an accident. While an experienced Austin scooter accident attorney can help you navigate a legal claim for damages, the steps you take in the immediate aftermath of your accident are critical.
Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do if you get into an electric scooter accident in Texas.
Report the Accident
First and foremost, you need to report the scooter accident to the local police. Call 911 or reach out to the police directly. Provide the dispatcher with your location, and they’ll send an officer and, if necessary, other first responders to the scene.
Stay at or near the location of the scooter accident while you wait for the police to arrive and complete an accident report. Take this opportunity to exchange information with other parties.
Document the Scene of the Scooter Accident
Take pictures of the damaged scooter, other vehicles involved in the accident, road and sidewalk conditions, traffic lights and signs, tire tracks and skid marks, hazards at the scene, and anything else that might be useful for a personal injury claim.
You can also record a quick video to capture the scene in your surroundings, which can help your scooter accident lawyer during preliminary investigations and evidence-gathering sessions.
Don’t Accept Blame For the Scooter Accident
Don’t apologize, admit fault, or do anything that can be used to shift liability to you for the scooter accident, even if you genuinely believe it’s your fault. A scooter accident’s cause can only be established by a thorough investigation.
You experienced the accident from one limited perspective, and there are factors you might not be aware of. Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule, admitting blame or implying that you’re at fault can be used to deny your personal injury claim or limit your damages.
Don’t Provide a Recorded Statement
The insurance adjuster will try to engage you in conversation. They’ll ask you to consent to providing a recorded statement about the scooter accident. These are tactics designed to get you to say things that can potentially be used to fight back against your claim for benefits. The best thing you can do is to decline to provide a recorded statement and direct all requests for information to your Austin personal injury attorney.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
Once you’ve reported the scooter accident, don’t hesitate to get to the closest emergency room for a thorough medical assessment. Many scooter accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, amputated limbs, and internal trauma.
The longer you go without medical treatment, the more catastrophic your injuries can become. Getting to the hospital will protect your health and generate a medical record that can be used to support your scooter accident case.
Contact Dow Law Firm’s Experienced Austin Scooter Accident Lawyers
Don’t navigate the aftermath of a scooter accident alone. Turn to Dow Law Firm and count on our scooter accident attorneys to take charge of the situation, provide exceptional legal service, and fight for every cent you deserve.
Backed by decades of experience handling complex cases for the injured, we’ve recovered millions in damages for our clients. Discover how we can help you after a scooter accident by contacting our scooter accident lawyers in Austin at (512) 240-9951 for assistance today. Your first consultation is free.