Regulations on E-scooters

With today’s younger generations, climate change and sustainability has become a hot button issue. A charge led by the millennials and generation Z, they want to encourage greener practices and to alter the slippery slope of increasingly negative effects that result from climate change before it’s too late.

One innovation that’s becoming more popular with the masses is the usage of e-bikes and e-scooters. Being solar powered, you’ll never have to worry about it running out of energy as the solar panel is built into it. The concept is that you open the corresponding app, open a map to show available e-scooters in your area, pay a small fine to unlock it and you have a greener way to travel at your disposal.

But unfortunately its greatest benefit is also its greatest caveat. E-scooters are faster than regular bike while being slower than a motorcycle. Motorists have already managed maintaining a rocky relationship with those on regular bikes so that relationship becomes even more precarious with the integration of e-scooters which are even less easy to track in one’s peripheral vision while keeping an eye on the road. All it takes is one hairpin turn by either person to cause a collision and with the technology still being newly integrated into society, the laws and guidelines regarding e-scooters are still murky and a tad difficult to interpret.

While there’s no federal mandate regarding e-scooters, nearly every state has its own guidelines regarding e-scooters, as an attorney, like a Personal Injury Attorney at Patterson Bray, can attest. Each of these guidelines are seemingly tailored to the infrastructure in the state’s most populous cities as well as the landscape and their ability to accommodate e-scooters with the least amount of risk to motorists and other pedestrians.

For instance in the state of Nevada, the mandate is that one needs to be 16 years of age or older and that you can only ride them on a sidewalk. An interesting detail considering that slower bikes are allowed on the street. Meanwhile, in Oregon, the usage of e-scooters on sidewalks is prohibited and can only be used in the street. These guidelines can be expected considering that sidewalks in Nevada are larger, wider, and better kept up by local city governments compared to Oregon’s. Also, Oregon has invested more state finances into the development of bike paths and multiuse lanes compared to Nevada.

There are some states like New Mexico that increases the age limit to 18 and others like Rhode Island where you need a driver’s license just to use one even though the mechanics of using one is immensely different than that of a car. On the opposite hand, in Hawaii, e-scooters are treated in the same manner as bicycles and in New York, e-scooters aren’t legal for anyone to use altogether.

No matter where you happen to be traveling, make sure you keep up with the regulations and guidelines regarding e-scooters. Though federal laws are still murky, what guidelines that do exist were put up for the safety and well-being of everyone.

5 Police Mistakes That May Lead to DUI Dismissal

Facing a DUI charge can be stressful and overwhelming. However, you’ve got to keep in mind that being arrested for a DUI doesn’t automatically lead to a conviction, especially if the officers involved made any mistakes when handling your arrest. With the guidance of your DUI lawyer, you can increase your chances of the best possible outcome in your case and possibly even get your case dismissed because of one of the five common police errors in DUI cases below.

DUI Checkpoint that Doesn’t Meet Requirements

Sometimes, police officers fail to follow the rules required for DUI sobriety checkpoints. If the police violate multiple guidelines, the checkpoint could be labeled unconstitutional. Checkpoints must be publicized in advance, supervised, have adequate staffing, have an unbiased procedure in place for stopping cars, have a drug recognition expert on site and have safe procedures in place to prevent the creation of a traffic hazard.

Failure to Show Probable Cause for an Arrest

Outside of a DUI checkpoint, officers must have what is known as probable cause before stopping a driver and arresting them. This means the officers must have a valid reason to suspect you before they pull you over. If they do not, evidence gathered at the time you were arrested could be tossed out of court.

Mistakes with the Breathalyzer Test

A field breathalyzer has an error rate from .005 to .02 percent, and officers can also make mistakes when they are administering them. It’s usually advisable to take this test if you are asked to do so–refusal could lead to more serious penalties down the road–but your breathalyzer could also yield results that are not consistent with your true blood alcohol levels as shown by more reliable tests, resulting in the breathalyzer results being thrown out of court.

Not Able to Show You Were Driving While Intoxicated

As odd as it may sound, it’s not always easy for police to prove to the prosecutor that you were actually driving while intoxicated. If you were in an accident with others and no one saw you driving, for example, you could have been simply a passenger and never had physical control over the car.

Ketosis Test Inaccuracies

Both the popular Keto diet and ketosis stemming from having diabetes can lead to trouble with the breathalyzer results. The metabolic process during which your body burns stored fat for fuel can cause ketones, and they are similar in makeup to isopropyl alcohol. When you take a breathalyzer, the ketones can be emitted via your breath and cause a false positive.

As noted above, there are several mistakes that police can make in your DUI case. Even if these missteps were unintentional, they could allow for key evidence to be removed from consideration in your case. Speak to a lawyer in Denver, CO about your case as soon as possible to see if any of the above mistakes could be factors in your defense.

Thanks to Richard J. Banta, P.C. for their insight into criminal law and breathalyzer tests.

My Workers’ Compensation Claim was Denied

Going to work is an important part of everyone’s day. Coming home is equally, if not more, important. But not everyone comes home in the same shape they left. Sometimes, we are victims of workplace injuries.

When you suffer a workplace injury, your sole focus should be on your recovery. The best way to do that is to work with a trusted workers’ compensation attorney who can help you maximize your recovery. 

What is workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation is insurance coverage carried by your employer. This insurance covers lost wages, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs for employees who are injured on the job. 

Workers’ compensation insurance is no fault which means that it does not matter who caused the injury, the benefit is owed to you if you were injured on the job. However, there are exceptions. If you intended to injure yourself or someone else and you suffered an injury because of your actions, then you would not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. There are other exceptions and that’s why it’s important to speak with a lawyer today.

I filed a claim but it was denied. What now?

If your workers’ compensation claim was denied and you have not yet hired a lawyer, now is the time to do so. Waiting any longer could be detrimental to your recovery. 

Your lawyer will help you determine why your claim was denied and what steps you need to take next. But you have to act fast as you only have limited time after your claim was denied to file an appeal. A law firm is ready to help guide you through the process. 

Should I still see my doctor?

Absolutely. Just because your workers’ compensation claim is denied, that does not mean you suddenly get better. You still need to focus on your physical recovery and the best way to do that is to keep seeing your doctor.

Your doctor will also help you determine the best course of action for your recovery. They can chart a course for your recovery while we are working hard to ensure your workers’ compensation appeal is granted and you get the benefits to which you are entitled.

Do I have to go to the insurance company’s doctor?

Yes but that doesn’t mean it’s the only doctor you can see. The workers’ compensation insurance company can and often will require you to see their doctor for an independent medical exam. But you can still see your doctor, especially if you do not think the insurance company doctor is providing the best treatment.

Insurance companies are often pushy. Don’t let them push you around and tell you that you can’t see your own doctor. You can. And we can help make sure your doctor’s report is included in your workers’ compensation claim.

A law firm is here to help.

A lawyer can answer all of the questions above and the countless others you may have. Workers’ compensation is a complex legal process and we want to give you the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your claim is in good hands. Contact a Milwaukee work injury lawyer today to get started.

Thanks to Hickey & Turim, SC for their insight into workers compensation and denied claims.

Is Your License in Jeopardy When You Get a Speeding Ticket?

Traffic laws represent the attributes every good driver should have and maintain, but no one is perfect. Every driver is likely to experience some type of moving violation during the lifetime of their license. Although, not all of those violations will equate to the removal or suspension of a license. Obviously, for serious offenses, such as a DUI, it is quite possible for a judge to revoke your license. However, is there ever a time when your license can be taken away for routine moving violations, and if so, is the removal permanent, or can your license be reinstated? The answer lies in the definition of a moving violation and the frequency of the improper use of your vehicle.

Routine Moving Violations

A moving violation is considered a breach of traffic law when driving. For example, rolling through a stop sign or running a red light. Also, speeding is a moving violation. These violations are considered routine and not necessarily reckless, although speeding is debatable. For example, a driver who is cited for going five or seven miles per hour over the speed limit is not as dangerous as someone driving 20 or 30 miles per hour over posted limits. The person driving at a higher speed may be cited or even arrested for reckless driving and possible endangerment, depending on the circumstances.

Excessive Violations and License Suspension

While a single speeding ticket, within reason, will not typically result in a suspension of your license, excessive violations might. For example, you may be allowed to receive two to three moving violations within a short window, but any more than that can result in your license being suspended.

If your license is suspended, that does not mean it is taken away for good. However, you will need to complete coursework or traffic education training before being able to reapply for a license renewal. Fortunately, most drivers are able to learn from a single ticket and do not typically repeat the same violation within a short time frame.

Traffic laws are in place to ensure the safety and responsibility of all drivers. Every time you put your key in the ignition, you are making a promise to other drivers that you will obey the law. Breaking those laws can result in a license suspension, especially for excessive violations in a short period of time. If your license has been suspended or you believe you were unfairly ticketed, consider contacting a traffic attorney, like a Criminal Defense Attorney in DC.

Thank you to the experts at The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., for their insight into criminal defense law.