Jacoby Stoneking, 24, died the day after he fell off an electric scooter that broke in half. According to a report in the Daily Mail, Stoneking was riding the e-scooter early morning on Sept. 1 near South Munger Boulevard in Dallas.
Police said they received an injured-person call after Stoneking managed to call someone and tell them he had fallen off a scooter. Stoneking had asked the unidentified person for help ordering a ride from Lyft. The Lyft driver who arrived soon afterward found Stoneking unresponsive.
The next day, a local hospital pronounced him dead. When officers searched Stoneking’s area, they found a broken-in-half Lime rental scooter. Stoneking also had scrapes and bruises on his hands and legs. Officials are still investigating the incident and waiting for information about the cause of death. A GoFundMe account has been set up for Stoneking’s memorial service. The Dallas City Council first legalized the electric scooters in June.
Our deepest condolences go out to Stoneking’s family members and friends for their tragic and untimely loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. According to media reports, this is the first known death involving an e-scooter, which has been the rage in a number of cities, especially those that attract a large number of tourists, such as the beach cities in Southern California.
The Problem with E-Scooters
Electric scooters or e-scooters, are dockless scooters you can rent by the minute that travel at speeds of up to 15 mph. Rechargeable lithium batteries usually power the scooters. They are equipped with GPS trackers and wireless connectivity. Companies such as Lime and Bird offer e-scooters that you can rent through their apps, much like getting a ride with Uber or Lyft.
While e-scooters may sound like an appealing alternative mode of transportation, particularly for cities that promote tourism, they have become somewhat of a public nuisance in many towns. Pedestrians have reported that riders operate these vehicles recklessly, often crashing into people walking on sidewalks or walkways. Pedestrians have reported suffering major injuries including broken bones and head injuries. There have also been reports of riders themselves suffering major injuries as a result of losing their balance on these flimsy, poorly-designed e-scooters.
The Issue of Liability with E-Scooters
The other big question is: Who can be held liable for e-scooter accidents? Who is liable if a scooter rider injures a pedestrian and leaves the scene? Can we hold the e-scooter manufacturer accountable for an injury or death resulting from a defectively manufactured or designed scooter? In the coming months, as e-scooters gain popularity and become more ubiquitous, we must answer some of these questions. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident or lost a loved one in an e-scooter accident, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who can provide additional information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6131245/Aspiring-doctor-24-dies-freak-accident-fell-rented-electric-scooter.html
