After the city imposed a ban in April on several electronic scooter companies, like Bird and Lime, there were thousands of complaints – people wanted them gone for good.
But just as many people loved using them.
Unfortunately, these scooters posed more than one problem, as has been evidenced by their ability to cause harm to pedestrians while also clogging the sidewalks when they are not in use.
Imagine walking down the sidewalk when suddenly an inexperienced scooter rider crashes into you, throwing both of you to the ground. The potential for serious injuries is real. In fact, a man in Washington DC recently lost his life due to a scooter accident.
Complaints came in from parents with strollers to people in wheelchairs saying that these scooters, ones that can reach 25-mph, should not be on the sidewalk. Public health officials also reported an increase in injuries from pedestrians who tripped over abandoned scooters.
Well, they are returning to San Francisco, but this time there are rules. These rules limit how many scooters certain companies can have in the first six months.
These are not the only dangers to pedestrians on the streets of San Francisco, just one of many. If you need a San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney, you can turn to Allegiance Law.
While you may not always think about it, pedestrians are vulnerable. If they are hit by a vehicle or other heavy objects, they have no protection from the impact. Injuries from these kinds of accidents can be severe and include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, major internal organ damage, broken bones, and more.
There were over 14,000 pedestrian accident injuries in California in 2016, the latest reporting year for the state. Most of these resulted in some kind of injury.
Impaired drivers pose a significant risk to pedestrians in or around the roadway. Anyone operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol should be held accountable for their actions. Distracted drivers are also dangerous. Whether they are sending a text message or looking at the road, they are putting people in danger.
Often vehicles in parking lots pose a risk to pedestrians, especially when they are backing up. Even at slower speeds, pedestrians can be severely hurt by a heavy vehicle.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence when you were out on foot, consider seeking legal assistance. While it may be clear to you that the other person is to blame, insurance companies may not see it that way. We know that any injury has the potential to become costly. Between medical expenses and lost income, you can be left wondering how to pay the bills when you should be focused on healing. When you need a pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco, you can turn to Allegiance Law for help. We will work to secure the compensation you need for your accident-related expenses. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395 for a free consultation.
Posted in Pedestrian Accident