Renting a scooter or bicycle is a great way to get around Austin. Companies like Bird and LimeBike have sprung up to meet a need, and all you need is an app or a credit card before you are on your way.
However, renters must be careful. You do not own the scooter or bike, so you have no idea of what condition it is in. It is very possible that the one you rented might have a defective part, which can cause you to lose control and end up in an accident. If this happens, you must take appropriate steps to protect your right to compensation.
Defective Parts
Many things can go wrong with a bicycle or scooter. For example, you might end up in a collision because of:
- Defective brakes
- Malfunctioning wheels
- Defective frames
- Design defects
- Flimsy materials
- Cracks that arise during manufacture
- Rust
It can be hard to tell when looking at a bicycle or scooter whether it has a defective part. After all, you probably are not a product engineer. In fact, you might not know that something is wrong until you collide with someone, so always exercise caution if you choose to rent and ride. Ask the rental company when they last serviced the bicycle or scooter and move on if they cannot provide a realistic answer.
What to Do after an Accident on a Rental Bicycle or Scooter
If you crash and suspect that a defect in your bicycle or scooter is to blame, you need to take certain steps to preserve evidence. You can expect the bicycle or scooter company to try and minimize any responsibility that they have for your injuries, so you need to gather evidence. The rental company might even outright claim that nothing is wrong with their product.
Remember the following:
- Take pictures of the bicycle/scooter and the surrounding area after the accident. Zoom in so that we can see any cracks, dangling parts, etc. on the bicycle or scooter.
- Write down the number of the scooter or bicycle or any other identifying information. Your attorney will want to look at the bicycle/scooter and you need to know which one you were riding when you were hurt.
- Notify the rental company of your accident. Also, tell them that your attorney will probably want to look at the device so they should keep it.
- Reach out to an attorney immediately. A lawyer might need to move quickly to make sure that the rental company preserves the product, which can contain important evidence.
As always after a collision, seek out immediate medical attention so that you can heal up as quickly as possible.
Contact an Austin Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After protecting your health, your primary goal should be to preserve your right to compensation following an accident caused by a defective product. At DJC Law, we have helped many people in the Austin area receive compensation when malfunctioning bicycles or other transportation leads to an accident.
Contact us today. You can discuss your case with one of our attorneys by scheduling a free consultation at 512-888-9999.
