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Scooter Accident in Tampa: Who to Blame?

Electric scooters have become the latest mode of transportation to disrupt how people travel and have also attracted their fair share of controversy over the last couple of years. Tampa city officials recently launched an electric scooter pilot program which is supposed to put around 1,800 scooters on Tampa’s streets.

City officials have allowed the scooters to be used in a small 12 square mile area of the city, mainly downtown Tampa south of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tampa’s electric scooter program was recently in the news, due to an accident in which an e-scooter rider was struck by a semi-trailer truck.

Opponents of scooters have long argued that they are quite unsafe, and the popularity of scooters has sparked debate over the safety of these new means of transport. E-Scooters are a recent phenomenon, so we don’t have enough data to definitively say whether they are safe or not.

What are the Common Causes of Scooter Accidents in Tampa?

Scooter accidents can be caused by several different factors. The following are some of the most common causes of scooter accidents in Tampa:

Manufacturing defects,
Riding without proper training
Riding the scooter too fast
Performing reckless tricks
Failure to observe traffic signals while crossing the street
Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Riding on a public road or highway against regulations
Riding the scooter with too many people
Failing to yield for pedestrians

Who is to Blame if You Got Involved in a Scooter Accident?

Under Florida law, a person responsible for an accident is held liable for all the damages that occurred due to the accident. If a person riding the scooter is held responsible, then he will be responsible for the damages. If someone else such as a pedestrian, or vehicle driver is responsible for the accident, then the scooter rider can claim compensation for the damages or injuries.

Although, preliminary research suggests that mostly scooter riders are responsible for the accidents. Oftentimes, it may be the other way around as accidents involving electric scooters and other vehicles are also common.

If an accident is caused due to a manufacturing defect in the scooter, then the manufacturer may be held liable for the accident. In such a case the scooter company has to pay the damages awarded in an electric scooter accident lawsuit.

How to Get a Compensation if You Got Injured?

You can bring a lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident under Florida law and get compensation for the injuries suffered in the crash. You can claim compensation for the following types of damage:

Present and future medical bills
Damage to your personal property
Lost wages
Rehabilitative costs
Pain and suffering
Lifestyle changes after the accident
Loss of relationships

Get the Help of a Tampa Injury Attorney

Accidents involving electric scooters are quite complicated as there are several legal nuances, including the definition of what qualifies as a scooter. You will most probably need the help of an experienced Tampa Injury Attorney to file a lawsuit.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. You may also call us at (727) 498-8771 and speak with one of our attorneys.

Medical Bills After Dog Bite Injury: Who Should Pay For It?

Medical Bills After Dog Bite Injury: Who Should Pay For It?

Dog bites lead to severe injuries. Even minor incidents may lead to medical bills running into hundreds of thousands. Most victims are under the false impression that they can’t do much to get compensation for their injuries in case of a dog bite.

Bicycle Safety Tips: A Guide to Avoid Accident on the Road

Florida leads the nation both in terms of bicycles and fatal accidents involving bicyclists. It is only second after California in terms of people who commute using bikes. But, if we look at the number of bicycle crashes and deaths caused in these accidents, then a completely different picture emerges.

Victim of a Reckless Driving in Florida: Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Reckless driving is a crime under Florida law which carries severe punishment in case of bodily injuries or property damage and is estimated to be the leading cause behind road accidents in Florida.

In this article, we will discuss the laws concerning reckless driving in Florida and will explain why you should hire a personal injury lawyer if you are a victim of reckless driving.

Reckless Driving in Florida

Section 316.192 of Florida Statutes defines reckless driving as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It must be noted that negligence is not sufficient to prove a case of reckless driving against the defendant. The law clearly states that there has to be an element of willfulness which can also be considered as a conscious decision to drive without any regard for other people on the road.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

Penalties for reckless driving in Florida are dependent on prior history of reckless driving, and any bodily or property damage which may result from such driving.

First offense without any bodily injury or property damage: First-time offenders who engage in reckless driving causing any bodily injury or property damage are charged for a 2^nd-degree misdemeanor. This may lead up to 90 days in jail or 6 months of probation with a fine of $500.

Second offense: This is also considered a 2^nd-degree misdemeanor if there is no damage to anyone. There is a penalty of up to 6 months in jail along with a maximum fine of $1,000 for 2^nd-time offenders.

Property damage or bodily injury: If reckless driving leads to any property damage or bodily injury, then the driver is charged for a 1^st-degree misdemeanor which may result up to 1 year in jail or 12 months in probation along with a $1,000 fine.

Serious bodily injury: In cases of serious bodily injuries, the driver engaging in reckless driving is charged for a 3^rd-degree felony which may lead up to 5 years in prison or 5 years’ probation and $5,000 fine.

The penalties and fines associated with this crime are paid by the guilty party above and beyond any insurance pay out to injured parties or property owners.

Florida Reckless Driving Lawyer

If you are a victim of reckless driving in Florida, then you may need professional help from an experienced reckless driving lawyer who is aware of Florida laws concerning reckless driving and has a proven track record of winning reckless driving cases.

You can contact us using the contact form on our site or call (727) 498-8771 for a free consultation to discuss your case.

St. Petersburg Tractor Trailer Accident: How to Protect Yourself If You Got Injured

Tractor trailer and truck accidents lead to more than 4,000 deaths in the US each year. They are considered to be among the worst kind of auto accidents as most tractor trailers are much heavier than your average car and due to their large size and weight, it’s quite natural that more people get killed or injured as compared to a car accident.

St. Petersburg Tractor Trailer Accident: What to Do If You Got Involved?

There are more than 2 million trucks and tractor-trailers operating in the US which cover almost 100 billion miles a year traveling across the country. It’s quite normal that so many trucks will also lead to a high number of accidents. These vehicles are responsible for more than 480,000 road accidents in the US each year.

Tractor Trailer accidents account for a large portion of road accidents and past statistics prove this. In 2016, for example, there were 44,307 commercial crashes in Florida. In 2015, 3,852 people died in large trucks and tractor trailer accidents in Florida. Among the dead, an overwhelming 69% were car passengers, 16% were truck occupants, and 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Injured in An Uber Accident in Tampa? You Should Know These Things!

April 1, 2019
SP Justice
Auto Accidents

Ridesharing services such as Uber have become quite popular over the past few years in Florida. It’s very natural that with the increasing number of people traveling via Uber, accidents involving Uber drivers also increased proportionally.

Uber and other similar ridesharing services are quite different than taxis. If you or a loved one is injured in an Uber accident, then things may turn out to be complicated because Uber uses a unique, technology driven business model. So, here are some important things which you must know in case you got involved in an Uber accident as there are several factors which will dictate the amount of compensation you may get for your damages.

Injured in A Lyft Accident in Florida: What You Need to Do?

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular in the US and across the world. These services have indeed revolutionized how we travel and have disrupted the cab/taxi industry. The number of accidents involving Lyft drivers has also increased dramatically.

In this article, we will share some tips and will guide you about some best-practices for what you need to do after getting injured in a Lyft accident in Florida.

St. Petersburg Lyft Accident: What You Need to Know

More and more people are using ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft in the US and across the world. Thus, it’s quite natural that the number of accidents involving vehicles from these companies is also on the rise. A normal car accident is by itself quite complex because you may not get awarded all the damages, involving a paid third party driver increases the complexity of the situation. The St. Petersburg Lyft Accident Attorneys at Shocklee Paolino are well versed in handling the intricacies of a Lyft accident.

St. Petersburg Medical Malpractice: Do I Have a Case?

Medical malpractice refers to the harm caused to a patient when a doctor or any other medical practitioner fails to fulfill his duties competently. Research suggests that medical malpractice cases are the third leading cause of death in the US.

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01:15 10 Dec 19

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15:44 27 Nov 19

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17:14 07 Nov 19

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19:06 09 Apr 19

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17:00 18 Feb 19

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17:11 12 Feb 19

Mr. Shocklee handled the whole process seamlessly by giving me his personal number, breaking down legal jargon, and laying out the best options for my case, putting my health and recovery above all else.

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21:15 29 Nov 18

Eric went above and beyond for my case. Updating me every step of the way, he was extremely helpful and knowledgeable! Thank you so much!

Ms.Kella Mccaskill

12:30 21 Nov 18

I was very uncertain about the process . Once I spoke with Josh, I understood the importance of having adequate representation. This Lawfirm was very informative and responsive during my process. I would recommend them to anyone in this same situation. When you need answers they were available , that was very important to me in my case. Thank you again!

greg greg

15:51 09 Nov 18

As an employee at the firm, I can say both Eric and Josh are excellent personal injury attorneys. They have great communication with their clients, will answer any questions you have, and will even drive to meet you where it’s conformable. Once you are signed up, you can be sure that your case will get settled. I fully recommend you go to them.

Tatiana Beltran

19:17 01 Jun 18

I am extremely pleased with all the help I've received from Josh and his staff. The next day after my accident Josh was on top of it all, from getting all my info, to getting me into see a doctor on a weekend which is difficult. I could not thank you enough!! Awesome job!

David Wolf

17:15 20 Oct 16

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01:55 01 May 14

As a law student and former employee at the firm I can say with confidence that this is a firm you can put your faith in. Both Eric and Josh are truly engaged with everyone of their clients, and its because of that that so many have become friends of them and even myself. The professionalism, effort, and care put in by Eric Josh, and the rest of the team are really something that's unique among other firms in my experience. I fully recommend, and hope you go to them, you will be happy you did.

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14:12 11 Apr 14

As my colleague and as a client I can say that Josh Shocklee and his team are honest, determined, and hungry, 3 important and vital attributes necessary for a legal team. He has handled my personal matter and I he is currently handling my parents' matters as well. He is my first choice for any personal injury referrals I may receive including those from my clients in my own law practice.