Lawyers for Compensation for Broken Bones from a Dockless Scooter Accident
If you sustained a broken bone in a dockless scooter accident someone else caused, do not hesitate to contact Robert Wilson & Associates. You might be entitled to compensation for your medical treatment and other expenses incurred from the crash. We can review the circumstances of your case and determine whether we can help you hold the negligent party liable.
Electric scooters have become convenient and affordable transportation modes in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. With the success of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, some companies introduced dockless scooters to provide similar accessibility around the city. Riders can use the scooters in bicycle lanes to get to work or school or run errands. Unfortunately, dockless scooters are also dangerous and can lead to severe injuries in accidents involving motor vehicles and other electric modes of transportation.
Broken bones are among the most common types of injuries that occur in electric scooter crashes. Since the rider doesn’t have an airbag to soften the blow of the impact, they must suffer the full force of a collision with a car or truck. Additionally, there isn’t a seatbelt to restrain the rider to the scooter. They could be ejected and land on the pavement or be run over by a vehicle.
Broken bones can range in severity. Usually, medical intervention is necessary to heal. The costs associated with rehabilitation, surgery, prescriptions, and other treatment can be expensive. At Robert Wilson & Associates, our dockless scooter accident attorneys understand the financial strain you might face after an accident of this type. We can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover your expenses so you can heal.
Call us at (612) 334-3444 right now for your confidential consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.
Common Types of Broken Bones
Broken bones are also referred to as bone fractures. Fractures fall under different classifications depending on the location of the body affected and the direction the break travels along the bone.
The types of locations of broken bones include:
- Posterior – A posterior fracture refers to a broken bone towards the back of the body.
- Distal – A distal fracture means is further from the center of the body.
- Lateral – Lateral fractures occur towards the outer part of the body.
- Proximal – A proximal fracture is close to the center of the body.
- Anterior – Anterior fractures occur in the area of the body towards the front.
- Medial – A medial fracture is towards the middle of the body.
One of the terms below describes the direction of the fracture:
- Comminuted – A comminuted fracture means the bone broke into multiple fragments.
- Oblique – An oblique fracture occurs on the bone at an angle.
- Spiral – A spiral fracture spirals or extends vertically along the length of the bone.
- Transverse – A transverse fracture occurs across the bone.
Commonly Broken Bones in Dockless Scooter Accidents
Any bone can break during an accident you’re in while riding a dockless scooter. However, the circumstances involved in crashes on scooters increase the likelihood of fractures involving:
- Wrists
- Hips
- Elbows
- Collarbone
- Fingers and hands
- Ankles
- Feet and toes
- Knees
- Skull and face
If you were involved in a dockless scooter accident and broke a bone, you should contact Robert Wilson & Associates to discuss your legal options. Whether a motor vehicle driver, pedestrian, or another scooter rider caused the crash, you might be entitled to compensation for your injury.
How to Treat a Broken Bone
Doctors can diagnose a bone fracture by taking X-rays of the injured part of the body. The treatment you need will depend on the location and severity of the break. Many people require immediate medical care after an accident. If you visit the emergency room, the physician can diagnose your injury and recommend a treatment plan.
A minor fracture likely won’t need surgery or ongoing treatment. A broken finger or toe can heal on its own. The doctor might recommend that you wrap the digit next to the broken one to stabilize it, so it doesn’t move around. Keeping the fractured bone stable can help it heal in the right place and prevent further damage.
Displaced fractures are more complicated. A displaced fracture occurs when the bone snaps into different parts and those parts separate from each other. A surgeon might need to operate to set the bone using screws, rods, or pins. However, the doctor could avoid surgery and immobilize the affected area of the body with a splint or cast.
Common Complications Associated with Broken Bones
Sometimes, fractured bones cause permanent damage or don’t heal correctly. When that happens, complications can arise and lead to long-term medical problems. The most common complications of broken bones include:
- Blood clots
- Chronic pain
- Stiff joints
- Swollen muscles
- Nerve and blood vessel damage
- Sores forming underneath a cast
- Swelling and pain from bleeding into a joint
- Infections
You should seek immediate treatment for a broken bone. Even if the injury seems minor and you’re suffering from minimal pain, you need a doctor to evaluate your condition to determine the appropriate treatment plan. Although it might seem tempting to go home and rest, you should go to a hospital after leaving the accident scene. If you don’t take care of your injury, you could end up with permanent damage and long-term complications.
Compensation Available After a Dockless Scooter Accident
You can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party and pursue compensation for the losses you suffered. Those losses might include:
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Medical bills
- Damage to personal property
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
Minnesota also allows accident victims to recover punitive damages in a lawsuit. This type of compensation punishes the defendant for their misconduct. A jury will only make an award of this type to you if you can provide clear and convincing evidence of the at-fault party’s deliberate disregard for the safety or rights of others.
Contact Us
Robert Wilson & Associates has fought for the rights of accidents victims in Minnesota since 1991. Our dedicated and experienced dockless scooter accident attorneys will be your advocate during this challenging time in your life. You can count on us to work hard to hold the negligent driver or another party liable and seek the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you suffered a broken bone in a dockless scooter accident due to someone else’s negligence, call Robert Wilson & Associates at (612) 334-3444 today for your confidential consultation.