Campus Scooter and Bike Accidents And You
Many scholars of urban development point to state universities as a healthy example of the kind of walkable urbanism they believe will promote social development and human flourishing. In fact, some of these same scholars suggest that people look back with such fondness on their college years because they represent a time in our lives are defined by walking, biking, and relying on public transportation, as opposed to cars. Whether it’s the spacious quad of a land grant university, a bustling city campus, or a small town campus woven into a community, colleges are unique in that they’re the rare developments in American society not built to primarily accommodate cars. This opens up space for alternative means of transportation. A new player in this particular sector are bike and scooter sharing services. Today’s Malloy Law blog post will cover campus scooter and bike accidents.
Bike and Scooter Sharing: A Personal Injury Time-Bomb?
The DMV was an early entrant into the bike sharing space. Capital Bikeshare has been in operation since 2010. The bright red frames of its bicycles have become iconic within the DC area. While Capital Bikeshare is a jointly-owned government venture, the strong demand that has driven its steady expansion has attracted numerous private bike and scooter sharing companies to our region. Rental vehicles from Lime, Bird, Spin, and other, smaller players like Velo can be found readily throughout downtown DC.
While DC and the surrounding exurbs have been proactive in the development of bike and scooter friendly infrastructure, particularly bike lanes, the spread of these services represents a rising risk factor for injurious collisions with pedestrians and larger, heavier motor vehicles. This is particularly true around populations unaccustomed to walking around or riding these rental vehicles, as well as populations prone to reckless or irresponsible behavior when riding. College students, unfortunately, can check either or both of these boxes.
Best Safety Practices When Riding An Electric Bike or Scooter
On college campuses, shared scooters and e-bikes are a convenient way to get across campus or downtown quickly, but the ease of access often leads to risky habits. One of the most important safety practices is to avoid riding while impaired or distracted. Alcohol and drugs drastically reduce coordination, balance, and reaction time, which makes crashes far more likely. Similarly, riding while texting, scrolling on social media, or even listening to loud music through headphones can prevent you from noticing traffic, pedestrians, or sudden obstacles. These lapses are especially dangerous at night, when visibility is already reduced and students may be walking or driving nearby.
Riders should always wear a helmet, keep both hands on the handlebars, and stay focused on the road ahead. Before starting your trip, inspect the scooter for working brakes and lights. Stick to designated bike lanes or safe routes whenever possible. Responsible riding not only protects you but also keeps your classmates and community safe.
Navigating the Aftermath of Campus Scooter and Bike Accidents
Even when riders take every precaution, accidents can still occur. If you’re involved in a crash, here are the steps to take:
- Prioritize your health: Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the accident location, the scooter or bike, and any visible injuries.
- Collect witness information: Get names and contact details of anyone who saw the incident.
- Save app records: If a rideshare scooter is involved, preserve the ride receipt and trip data in your app.
- File an official report: Notify campus security or local law enforcement to create an official record.
- Consider liability factors: Responsibility may involve multiple parties—the rider, a vehicle driver, the scooter company, or even the campus if unsafe conditions played a role.
- Know your rights: Acting quickly can help protect your health, finances, and legal options.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been the victim of campus scooter and bike accidents, Malloy Law can help. Our experienced personal injury attorney team can evaluate your case free of charge and pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We do everything in our power to hold negligent riders and companies accountable. Contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case.