Noticias

Carambola de seis autos en San Petersburgo termina en tragedia

A pileup crash that involved six cars killed a woman. The crash happened on Sunday afternoon, January 27, 2019, on 49^th Street. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the woman was a passenger in a taxicab that rear-ended a Chevy Tahoe that was pushed into a Ford Escape. The Escape hit Kia Optima which then hit a Hyundai Santa Fe. The paramedics took the Taxi driver and passenger to a local hospital in serious condition. Tragically, the passenger died later at the hospital.

Pile-up Crashes

Multi-car crashes happen in two ways, chain-reaction, and pileup collisions. A chain-reaction crash happens on a freeway where a collision between two cars causes other cars to collide. In a pileup crash, cars arriving on stopped cars are unable to slow down in time and plow into the cars in front of them. Sometimes the stopped cars are there because they were in a previous accident.

Every collision is dangerous. But in a pileup, secondary crashes can subject some vehicles to multiples hits. In many cases, a person survives the first crash with little injury. Yet, then is seriously injured or killed in the subsequent crashes.

According to the American Automobile Association, the best thing to do when you are involved in a crash where there is a possibility of a secondary collision is to stay in your vehicle with the seatbelt on. This is because once you get out, you are no longer protected by your vehicle. However, if there is another reason to leave the vehicle like you smell leaking gas or see smoke or flames, then you are better off getting out of the vehicle and to a safe location.

How is Fault Determined in a Pileup Crash?

Immediately following an accident, fault doesn’t seem to be very important. Especially, when compared to the need for safety and treatment. Yet, after many of the injured suffer with medical bills and other financial losses that can become substantial.

Then the issue of fault will become important. In serious crashes, traffic investigators will process the scene to determine what happened and then will issue a report giving their opinion as to what happened, and typically these reports do not give a conclusion as to who was at fault.

In pileup crashes, complicate finding fault. As in many cases, a car might be a victim for one impact and at-fault for another. This leaves the parties, their insurance companies and possibly the courts to figure out who bears financial responsibility.

Another problem motorists involved in a pileup crash face is that the insurance company will often try to point the finger of blame toward everyone but their client and will attempt to use the accident report to validate their position.

¿Necesito un abogado?

The answer is yes! After any serious injury or death of a loved one, you need to talk to someone who has your best interest in mind and can give you realistic and unbiased advice. You need an attorney that understands multi-car and chain-reaction crashes and has experience dealing with insurance companies. Don’t wait until they start treating you poorly before you contact an attorney.

Contact the RHINO Lawyers which is a powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” Anyone injured due to the negligence of a driver in Florida call us for a free consultation. Our equipo de lesiones personales will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.

How To Get a Car Accident Report in Tampa Florida

Involved in an accident involving a serious injury or a loved one passed away during the collision? Obtain your car accident report. Then be sure to contact our equipo de lesiones personales for a free consultation. RHINO Lawyers is dedicated to tackling the insurance companies head-on.

How To Get a Car Accident Report in Tampa Florida

In the City of Tampa, police will file an accident report shortly after the crash. (If you did not call the police. File an accident report within 10 days of the crash. In the future, always call 911 after a crash.)

If you have retained an attorney, they will likely obtain the accident report on your behalf. Also, your insurer or you may obtain an accident report for a crash that you were involved in. The law only allows these parties to obtain the accident report for the first 60 days from the time of filing.

If you are obtaining the report yourself, you will need a photo ID and you will also need the Sworn Statement for Traffic Crash Report Information form which you can download here Sworn Statement PDF.

Tampa accident reports may be purchased online on the Traffic Accident Report Request page or picked up in person at the Tampa Police Department, 411 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602 during normal business hours.

When will the crash report be available?

Short-form crash reports are usually available within a week of the crash.

Long-form Florida Traffic Crash Reports are usually available around 10 days or so after the crash. They use these reports when there are DUIs, significant property damage, injuries, or deaths. Long-form reports are also filled out when a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle totaled a car.

Let Us Help Retrieve Your Auto Accident Report

Dealing with an auto accident is stressful. Allow us to aid you in locating your report swiftly. Simply provide us with basic details about your auto accident, and our team will work to find your report for you.

What To Expect:

By submitting your request, you consent to RHINO Lawyers’ auto accident team contacting you to offer assistance. In addition, expect potential follow-up communication via telephone, email, or SMS from our auto accident team to help in your recovery process. It’s important to note that utilizing this service does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Additionally, you agree to adhere to our Terms of Use.

What to Do With Your Accident Report:

Thoroughly review your police accident report. This document holds crucial details, such as insurance providers, driver identities, and the law enforcement officer’s assessment regarding fault attribution for the accident.

To get started click here, complete the form, and we will do the rest.

Do I need an attorney?

You may not need an attorney for accidents resulting in only property damage or minor scrapes and bruises. However, it is always important to speak to an attorney after any crash resulting in serious injuries or fatal accidents. Tampa injury lawyers provide free consultations and offer you advice that is in your best interest.

Man Loses Both Legs in Serious Motorcycle Hit-and-Run

A Mitsubishi Galant and a motorcycle collided severely injuring the motorcycle rider. The driver of the Gallant fled but was caught by police as he returned to the scene later. The motorcycle hit-and-run happened on westbound Park Boulevard at 40^th Street N. around 10:30 pm, Wednesday, January 16.

According to Tampa Bay Police at the scene, the driver of the Gallant tried to turn from the far right-hand lane, across six lanes of traffic into a restaurant parking lot when it drove into the path of the motorcycle which was traveling westbound on Park Street.

As a result, the accident left the motorcyclist with severe injuries to his legs, and he ended up losing both of them. The driver of the Gallant was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury and driving on a suspended or revoked driving license.

Motorcycle Crashes

Any accident on a motorcycle can result in serious injury or death because of the vulnerability of the cyclist. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a person is 6 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than in a car crash. For passenger vehicles, there are 13.10 deaths out of 100,000 crashes, and the rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 crashes.

The risk of serious injury is also much higher for motorcyclists who are at higher risk for certain types of injuries. These are:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Deep Abrasions (Road Rash)
• Broken Bones
• Loss of Limbs

Causes for Motorcycle Crashes

One of the advantages of a motorcycle is also its greatest liability when it comes to accidents. Motorcycles are smaller giving them quickness and greater maneuverability. However, they also have a low visual profile that can contribute to crashes. Some of the leading causes are:

• Blind-spot riding
• Car drivers turning left into oncoming motorcycle
• Car drivers pulling out into path of motorcycle

Some motorcycle accidents are caused by risky driving on the part of the motorcyclist. Some of these are:

• Dooring (Open door on motorcycle traveling between cars)
• Lane splitting
• Speeding
• Aggressive Driving/Weaving
• Shoulder driving
• Impaired driving

Do I need an Attorney if I’m Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Many times when a driver’s seemingly obvious mistake causes an accident with a motorcycle, the rider feels that he doesn’t need an attorney. While this can be theoretically true, in actual practice it isn’t. If you don’t have a professional on your side, you are relying on the fairness of the insurance company and their lawyers.

Don’t make this mistake. Speak to an attorney that knows the law and can evaluate your case. Lastly, contact an attorney at RHINO Lawyers hoy. Nuestro equipo de lesiones personales is ready to start working for you to get you the compensation you deserve.

Car Accident Questions to Have

First, after a car accident, the injured parties have lots of questions and very few answers. Thus, at RHINO Lawyers, our team gets you through the unknown and describes the process. Our focus is helping accident victims and families. Especially, those who have suffered serious injuries in car, truck and other motor vehicle accidents. After the collision, many factors come into play. From the exchanging of insurance, police investigation, and the insurance assessment of the vehicle damage, many people don’t know what steps to take. Here are some questions you may have, and how we can help.

What do I do after I get hit?

After the accident, you want to call 911 or the local police. You want to collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone at the scene and take pictures. If you are injured or feel you need help, seek medical attention. For a step-by-step process on what to do visit our website at www2.rhinolawyers.com/. Or call us at 844-RHINO-77 to discuss your questions.

How long do I have to preserve my benefits?

In Florida, you have only fourteen (14) days to preserve your benefits. This time schedule on personal injury protection (PIP) coverage preserves benefits you may have available through the premiums you pay. To learn more about this, visit our website at www2.rhinolawyers.com/ or call us at 844-RHINO-77 to discuss your questions.

What can I recover after a car accident?

You may be entitled to receive many different types of damages under Florida law. These damages are a way of being able to compensate you from an accident. Some damages are:

• property damage
• reasonable past and future medical expenses
• lost earnings
• pain and suffering
• mental anguish
• permanent impairment to your body or earning capacity

How much money will I receive?

This depends. Each accident case is specific. Your case may be worth what you agree to with the insurance company or what a judge or jury awards. We investigate all aspects related to your accident and injuries. In addition, our team will communicate with you what can happen. Usually, the value is dependent upon the type and extent of your injuries. Additional factors that contribute are the amount of medical bills, length of treatment, and frequency of treatment. As well as, future medical bills, permanent disabilities and any other damage that can be documented. Our team looks into every detail with our pre-file department and litigation department to get you the award you deserve.

Who do I call after a car accident?

Lastly, if you have additional car accident questions about an accident and suffered injuries, as a result, contact our equipo de lesiones personales en RHINO Lawyers. We will explore all options of the accident. As well as, all insurance areas to make sure you are getting the help you deserve.  Give us a call at 844-RHINO-77 for a free consultation. Take Charge of your Rights.

Accidents from Wrong Way Drivers

The last month has been very concerning for Tampa Bay residents. The Gandy and Howard Frankland bridges are staples for residents commuting to and from Tampa and Saint Petersburg. Within the last month, two major accidents involving wrong way, DUI drivers have caused fatal and critical injuries to victims of these crashes.

October 19, 2018 Car Accident

A fatal car accident on October 19, 2018, left the unsuspecting victim, Mark Beale critically injured. They pronounced the suspected DUI driver, Renard McGriff dead at the scene. Reports state that McGriff was driving the wrong way on the Howard Frankland Bridge when his car smashed into oncoming traffic around 6 am on Friday. Mr. Beale was the victim of this deadly accident, and he is being treated for these injuries.

November 1, 2018 Car Accident

Involved in a car crash, police arrested suspected DUI driver, Andy Cuff, Jr. on November 1, 2018, at 1:54 am. Reports state that Cuff turned the wrong way on the Howard Frankland Bridge and started going towards one-way traffic. His car smashed into a Tampa woman, Andrea Rusch. They are treating her for critical injuries. All reports to this point maintain she was driving with the normal course of traffic and was an unsuspecting victim from this possible DUI driver.

How We Can Help

Both these accidents involved serious injuries, alcohol, and wrong-way drivers. One-way streets are common in the city of Tampa and the highways. Yet, the motives of the at-fault drivers in both accidents can never be completely understood. Car accidents occur on a daily basis, however, both these accidents the past two weeks shed light on the seriousness of what can happen.

Medical bills, treatment, property damage, and pain and suffering are a part of many accidents. Especially, serious accidents involving critical injuries. The road to recovery is long, but if you need help, please let us know.

If you have additional questions about an accident and suffered injuries, as a result, contact our equipo de lesiones personales en RHINO Lawyers. We will explore all options of the accident, including all insurance areas to make sure you are getting the help you deserve. Please visit our website at www2.rhinolawyers.com/ or give us a call at 844-RHINO-77 for a free consultation. Take Charge of your Rights.

Student hit by Teacher While Crossing Road

A high school student hit crossing the road near his high school. And, the car was driven by a teacher at the same school. The accident happened on Wednesday morning, January 8, 2019, at the intersection of School Road and Madison Street in New Port Richey, Florida, which is near Gulf High School.

According to a New Port Richey police officer at the scene, the teen did not use a nearby crosswalk when he crossed the road in front of the vehicle. He also said that speed or distracted driving didn’t appear to be an issue.

Police found headphones at the scene, but it wasn’t known if the student was using them at the time. The injured teen was airlifted to a local hospital where was listed in critical condition. Students from the school gathered just after the last bell to talk about the incident. “It’s awful, just thinking how bad that teacher feels. He didn’t mean to hit him,” said one student as noted in the Fox13 article.

We are deeply saddened to hear about this terrible crash and hope the student makes a full recovery.

Pedestrians and Crosswalks

Pedestrians are especially vulnerable when crossing a road. The average automobile weighs around 4,000 lbs. and can cause significant injuries when striking a person who has no protection. Crosswalks add some protection in that they hope will cause motorists to use more caution. Under Florida law, a crosswalk provides protection to pedestrians by giving them the right-of-way if used properly. Under the law, a pedestrian:

• Must obey the traffic lights and signs at a crosswalk.
• Only cross streets within designated crosswalks.
• Must stay within the crosswalk while on the road.
• Must not walk in front of a moving car that has the right-of-way.

The driver of a vehicle:

• Must yield to the right-of-way to the pedestrian in the crosswalk if in the crosswalk legally.
• Must stop at a crosswalk and wait for the pedestrian in a crosswalk if there is no signals or signage at the crosswalk.

Bottom line: A pedestrian should cross at a crosswalk obeying all signals and signs. If so, then the pedestrian has the right-of-way. However, if the signal is red for the pedestrian, then the vehicle has the right-of-way. If there is no signal or sign, and the vehicle is approaching the crosswalk, then the pedestrian must yield to the vehicle. However, if the pedestrian is already in the crosswalk, then the pedestrian has the right-of-way.

Who’s at Fault when a pedestrian is hit outside of a crosswalk?

When a pedestrian is hit by a car while not properly using a crosswalk or crossing without a crosswalk, does this mean that it’s automatically the pedestrian’s fault and he or she can’t recover for any losses? The answer is no. Florida’s crosswalk laws are traffic laws under the state’s criminal statutes.

When someone is injured by another person, this is governed by the civil laws of Florida. Like most other states, Florida has a law that says a violation of a criminal or traffic law does not indicate liability in a civil case. This means that if someone violates the traffic laws and injures someone, then they are not responsible for the person’s injuries just because of the traffic violation.

To determine fault in a personal injury case, the injured person must prove that the other person was negligent. So, if you were injured while crossing the road illegally, you might still be able to get compensation for your injuries. The court will look at whether the driver acted reasonably and operated his or her vehicle with due care. In some areas such as streets near parks and schools, drivers should use extra care.

Do I need an attorney if I’m Hit Crossing the Road?

While it’s possible to represent yourself in a personal injury claim, it’s not advised. At the least, you should talk to an attorney who provides you a free consultation and can advise you of the law and evaluate your claim. After that, you can make an informed decision. Insurers will often blame YOU for your injury. Remember, people have insurance for a reason. Even if the driver is the nicest person in the world and even if you think you were at fault or partially at fault you shouldn’t suffer because their insurer doesn’t want to compensate you.

Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer

Always contact an attorney after any crash involving a serious injury or loss of a loved one.

RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” Anyone injured in Florida may contact us for a free consultation. Our equipo de lesiones personales will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Teenage Pedestrian Left Injured by Hit-and-Run Driver

A female pedestrian was hit by a car and thrown into a ditch in a hit-and-run accident. Then the hit-and-run driver left her in the mud and water crying for help. This happened after 6 am, Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in Polk County.

Fortunately for the hit-and-run victim, another pedestrian a grade school girl was walking to her bus stop and heard the screaming. She ran to a nearby house to get an adult who called the victim’s mother who lived nearby. This left many, including her mother, outraged at the hit-and-run driver.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Polk County Sheriff’s office at 863-298-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-TIPS (8477). Police are searching for an SUV which will likely have recent front end damage. The SUV may be a Chevy Tahoe, Suburban or GMC Yukon.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Victims of hit-and-run accidents often feel twice victimized. First by the collision and then by the fleeing driver who left them injured and without any help. However, it’s more than just feelings because being a victim of a hit-and-run can make your injuries more severe. This is because there is no one there to call for help or give fist aid. In many accidents where the at-fault person is either not injured or less injured, at least one person is available to call for help or render aid.

Insurance Issues

Many times, the injured becomes victimized a third time when the bills start adding up and the money isn’t coming in. The victim is often left holding the full financial loss of the accident when the driver flees.

Many times, the injured person has many questions regarding who will cover those losses when the at-fault person hasn’t been identified. What injuries can I claim?

• Who will pay my medical bills?
• Can I file the accident on my own insurance policy?
• What if I wasn’t using my car, can I still use my own insurance?
• Will I have to pay them back if the at-fault driver is found?

All of these questions are legitimate concerns for a victim of a hit-and-run accident. First, you may be able to file under your own auto insurance policy. Many of them have uninsured and underinsured provisions that will pay out when there is an accident involving a vehicle (even if it’s not yours) for some of your losses. In Florida, there is a law that requires insurance policies to cover some of the damages regardless of who is at fault. Other states have similar provisions called Med Pay that will allow a person to claim their medical bills on their own insurance regardless of fault.

Do I need an Attorney for a Hit-and-Run?

Most of these questions and more can be answered by a competent attorney, one who knows the law regarding hit-and-run accidents and one that is experienced with insurance companies. Even if you don’t hire an attorney, you owe it to yourself to talk to one. Then you can make the decision informed and knowing what you are getting into if you decide to go it alone.

Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer

So, after any crash, contact an attorney if there is a serious injury or loss of a loved one. RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”

Anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida may contact us for a free consultation. Our equipo de lesiones personales will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Crash on I-75 Bridge over Caloosahatchee River

Two cars crashed into a stalled semi-truck on I-75 early Wednesday, January 9, 2019. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the semi got out of his truck which stalled partially on the shoulder and partially in the far-right lane of the freeway, to put flares out to warn others.

According to a news report, before that happened, a van slammed into a Sentra that has slowed to avoid hitting the semi. The van drove the Sentra into the side of the trailer and wedged between the trailer and the cement barrier that made up the guard rail. The van then careened into the back of the trailer. Tragically, the driver of the van died, and three passengers in the Sentra—including a 9-month-old girl—were seriously injured.

At the time of this report, the baby was fighting for its life and was at the same hospital as her mother who was one of those injured in the crash.

Deeply saddened to hear of this crash we sincerely hope for the best possible outcome for all involved.

Florida Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks accidents often involve high damage and serious injury. This is primarily due to the size and mass of the semis. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. fully loaded. Even at rest, this can be problematic for a vehicle that weighs around 3,000 to 4,000 lbs.

According to the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, an accident involving a large commercial truck was significantly more likely to result in serious injury or death than when smaller vehicles collide. The study also finds that in 2016, when a large truck and passenger vehicle crash resulted in a fatality, 83 percent of the time, the fatality was someone other than the truck driver.

This underscores the risk of death and serious injury motorists have when traveling among large commercial trucks like tractor-trailers.

Causes of Semi-Truck Crashes

In another study by the FMCSA, certain factors were linked to the causes of large commercial truck accidents. The study reviewed over 900 crashes involving semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles and found the following were critical factors in these crashes:

• Brake problems
• Traffic flow interruption (congestion, previous crash)
• Prescription drug use
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Unfamiliarity with roadway
• Roadway problems
• Required to stop before crash (traffic control device, crosswalk)
• Over-the-counter drug use
• Inadequate surveillance

When it came to comparing fault between the large commercial truck drivers and drivers of passenger vehicles, another study by American Trucking Association found that 56 percent of the time, the passenger driver was primarily at fault. The study suggests that this is because of the training, regulations, and experience of the truck drivers.

What to do if Involved in a Crash with a Semi-Truck

The first thing is to be safe. This often means staying in your vehicle, if possible and practical, with your seatbelt on. This is because of the risk of secondary impacts which are more likely on divided highways and freeways.

The next thing to do once you have been told by authorities its safe to exit your vehicle is to get as much information as you can regarding the at-fault driver. If it’s a truck driver, then get the name of the driver and the trucking company. Also, get pictures if possible but only if doing so won’t put you at risk of further injury.

Of course, if you are too injured to do this, then you need to focus on getting treatment and then getting well. Eventually, the focus will change to the financial losses that one encounters when involved in an injury accident.

You need to talk to an attorney when you are able. This doesn’t mean you have to hire one yet, but almost all personal injury firms will offer free consultations and then only collect a fee out of your settlement or award. An attorney can advise you of your rights and evaluate your case.

Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer

Always contact an attorney after any crash involving a serious injury or loss of a loved one. RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”

Any Tampa truck accident lawyer can tell you that all truck accident cases are very complex cases and there are often multiple parties involved including sophisticated insurance companies.

Anyone injured in a truck accident in Tampa may contact us for a free consultation. Our equipo de lesiones personales will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Good Samaritans Save Truck Driver’s Life after Wreck

Good samaritans save truck driver’s life after wreck in Polk County. A semi-truck and a dump truck tangled. This caused the semi-truck driver to be partially ejected. The accident happened around 10:40 am, January 8, 2019. Some mechanics at a nearby shop came out and assisted the driver. Witnesses said a semi-truck pulling a tank trailer was heading west on Eagle Avenue when it went through a red light at U.S. 17 and hit the dump truck traveling north on U.S. 17.

A patron of a nearby barbershop ran outside after hearing the collision and called 911. He witnessed the mechanics helping the severely injured truck driver.

According to The Ledger, “They got both the drivers out and the driver of the semi-truck was bleeding heavily,” he said. “They ran to the shop and grabbed all their shop towels and held pressure on the man’s neck and chest injuries until help arrived. If it wasn’t for them, he most likely would have bled to death in the truck.”

Paramedics airlifted the semi-truck driver to the hospital. While they took the dump truck driver to the hospital by ambulance.

When Good Samaritans Help

Good Samaritans often save lives and make injuries less severe, and many times, they are the first on the scene. This means that they are in the best position to help save a life if time is of the essence. Pulling someone from a burning car or putting pressure on the severed artery. So even though many of these people are not trained, they can be life-savers.

What if the Good Samaritan Makes Things Worse?

Not being trained can put the well-meaning person in the position of causing further injury or even death. Making the choice between moving someone off the street or putting up flares to keep people off that section of the road is one such decision. Making the wrong one can have serious consequences.

The good news is, most states, including Florida, have Good Samaritan laws that provide legal protection for those who help out in emergency situations. There is one caveat, the actions of the person must be in line with those that a “reasonable and prudent person would do under the same or similar circumstances.”

This means that as long as the Good Samaritan acts reasonably and prudent, then if the victim dies or is further injured because of the person’s help, then the law will protect him or her form a lawsuit or criminal charges.

What if the Good Samaritan is Injured?

Unfortunately, it’s a real possibility because accident scenes are dangerous. There are two types of injuries to a Good Samaritan to consider. First when the injury comes from helping out such as damage to someone’s back for lifting, getting burned in a car fire. Then the person who was at fault for the accident might be liable for the Good Samaritan’s injuries.

The second scenario is when a new vehicle is unable to slow down and causes damage and inures the person. Then the Good Samaritan might be able to get compensated by the new at-fault driver.

Do I need an Attorney if I am Injured?

Always contact an attorney after any crash involving a serious injury or loss of a loved one.

RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”

Even if the case appears “open and shut” and a truck ran a red light, it makes sense to seek a free consultation from a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer.

Truck accidents often involve several parties such as the trucker, truck owner, trucking company and multiple insurers who have attorneys working for them to minimize claims.

Anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida should contact us for a free consultation. Our equipo de lesiones personales will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.

When are Electric Scooters coming to Tampa?

Tampa is getting ready to welcome electric scooters to its streets as part of its new Shared Motorized Scooter Pilot Program. If all goes according to plan, around 2,000 e-scooters will be introduced into certain areas of Tampa in February 2019.

In October, Tampa’s city government announced they would be accepting applications from ride-sharing companies until November 9, 2018. No more than three electric scooter companies who meet Tampa’s safety requirements will be allowed to operate during this one-year pilot program.

According to BizJournals.com, a few of the big-name companies that have sent in their applications to Tampa include Bird, JUMP, and Skip. Other companies also vying for this position include Coast Bike Share, Sharp Marketing, RSA Consulting Group, and Skinny Labs.

One company conspicuously absent from the Tampa application list was Lime. Based in San Francisco, Lime is a leader in the e-scooter space. They have devices in hundreds of cities around the world. Floridians can currently ride on Lime e-scooters in cities like North Bay Village, Key Biscayne, and certain areas in Miami.

In addition, Tampa is looking into how these e-scooter companies promote safety through educational campaigns. Tampa officials want these companies to freely share financial data with the city. In fact, all companies that apply must also be financially stable. And, willing to share safety data with the city throughout the program.

During the pilot, city planners will allow no more than 300 e-scooters in each of the four designated areas in the city. The four locations participating in this pilot program include downtown and the areas north, east, and west of downtown.

One exception to this 300 e-scooter limit is the area between Martin Luther King Boulevard and East Columbus Drive. These streets could have up to 600 e-scooters.

Will electric scooters result in injuries?

To help increase street safety during this e-scooter rollout public safety officials are planning to create 180 designated areas where Tampa riders can place their e-scooters. One of the major issues surrounding e-scooter use in major cities has to do with parking. Like parking these devices in hazardous areas like on sidewalks.

In most cities, scooters must ride on streets or in bike lanes. However, in Tampa, scooters will likely only be ridden on sidewalks. Injuries from these scooters are likely to include head injuries from people falling off of them. As well as, scooters hitting pedestrians causing injuries. In many other parts of the country, cars have hit scooter riders. To help reduce some of these potential injuries, Tampa is asking scooter companies to govern their scooters so they max out at 8MPH.

After this year-long pilot program is up, safety experts will review the data from the different participating companies. Tampa will then most likely pick one company to operate throughout the entire city.

INJURED IN A SCOOTER ACCIDENT?

The first thing to do is to attend to your immediate medical needs. But then you may want to consider speaking to an attorney about your circumstances. There are many questions about insurance and compensation that get raised when injuries occur on these scooters.

¿Qué seguro pagará? Si tengo la culpa, ¿se puede pagar alguna de mis facturas médicas? ¿Se puede obligar a la compañía de monopatines a pagar?

Presente todas estas preguntas, y muchas más, a un abogado familiarizado con estos monopatines, seguros y lesiones personales. En RHINO Lawyers, nuestro equipo de lesiones personales offers a free consultation where we can evaluate your case and outline where your compensation might come from.

RHINO Lawyers es el bufete de abogados poderoso y enfocado en resultados que se enfrenta a las compañías de seguros y a los abusones “de frente”. Describimos nuestro enfoque audaz y moderno sobre la “Ley de Accidentes y Lesiones Personales” y “Nuestra Misión Personal” de empoderar a las familias de Florida para que “¡Tomen el Control!”.”