Prevent a Florida Scooter Accident By Following the Speed Limits 

Riding an electric scooter (or eScooter) offers the ability to go faster than you could go on foot without the risk of getting stuck in traffic that comes with riding a moped, motorcycle or passenger vehicle. However, there are limits on how fast you can go on an electric scooter, and going too fast can be dangerous for you and those around you.

How Fast Can You Legally Ride an Electric Scooter?

Due to the fact that the electric scooter phenomenon is still relatively new, there are not yet uniform laws governing the maximum speed at which eScooter riders can travel. That said, in most cities where speed limits have been implemented, the maximum legal speed is 15 miles per hour. Many electric scooter manufacturers and rental companies have limited their scooters to 15 miles per hour (or slightly below), making it impossible for riders to exceed the speed limit on flat ground.

In some areas – such as areas with a high volume of pedestrian traffic – speed limits may be even lower. Although some rental companies have programmed their scooters to automatically slow down in these areas, riders must still watch for signs and be sure to slow down when necessary. Even if your electric scooter is supposed to automatically slow down, if it fails to do so, you will ultimately be the one responsible for exceeding the posted speed limit. Many universities are implementing campus speed limits for eScooters as well, and students, faculty and visitors must be careful to observe the campus speed limit at all times

The Dangers of Speeding on an Electric Scooter

Of course, just because a person can ride an electric scooter at 15 miles per hour does not necessarily mean that they should. There are a variety of issues that can make riding at 15 miles per hour risky even if it is legal to do so. These include:

• Lack of Helmets. Most eScooter riders do not wear helmets (and most rental companies do not provide them). A collision between scooters or between a scooter and a motor vehicle can easily cause a serious head injury.
• Rider Inexperience. Many eScooter riders have very little experience. In fact, their first time on a scooter may be when they rent one on the street. Not knowing how to safely maneuver or brake is a common factor in eScooter accidents.
• Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic. Since rentable scooters are most often available in busy city centers and on university campuses, riders inherently face a large volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Riding too fast for traffic conditions can be dangerous even if that means riding at or below 15 miles per hour.

Experienced Legal Representation for Injured eScooter Riders

Were you or a loved one injured while riding on an electric scooter? Were you hit by someone who was riding an eScooter too fast? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn about your legal rights in a free and confidential consultation, please call 954-764-4849 or request an appointment online today.