Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. | July 26, 2020 | Motorcycle Accidents

A tragic accident involving a Revel scooter claimed the life of a local television reporter in New York. The accident occurred at the intersection of India Street and Franklin Street in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint section around 5:30 p.m. on July 18, 2020.

Nina Kapur was riding as a passenger on the scooter, according to a detective. The police continue to investigate the accident, but it is believed that the scooter’s driver swerved for some reason causing him and Kapur to fall off the scooter.

Ms. Kapur was pronounced dead after being taken to Bellevue Hospital. The scooter’s driver had minor injuries. It is not clear at this time if either person was wearing a motorcycle helmet or other protective gear at the time of the scooter accident.

The driver’s identity has not been released. Nina Kapur was 26 years old at the time of the crash. She was a reporter for CBS2 in New York.

Revel Scooters Suspend Service in New York City

After Nina Kapur’s death on July 18, another person has died in a Revel scooter accident in New York City. On July 28, Jeremy Malave died in an accident on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. According to reports, Mr. Malave failed to navigate the moped correctly and struck a center light pole in the center median.

Dr. Sara Jamison of St. Barnabas Hospital stated that the hospital is treating a lot more serious cases. She said that they are treating broken bones, bone fractures, concussions, and head injuries related to scooter accidents.

Mayor Bill de Blasio admitted that people who are using the scooters are doing so without having a motorcycle license, even though the scooters are in many ways like a motorcycle. Revel had been allowing individuals to rent the mopeds if they had a driver’s license. A learning course was optional. 

Mayor de Blasio said that the city has the power to restrict, regulate, and even prohibit Revel scooters. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson also weighed in to acknowledge that the DOT needs to have an “affirmative role in the working of Revel.” Rep. Adriano Espaillat sent a letter to New York City and the state demanding a suspension of the company’s operations. 

Revel Suspends Operations in New York City

Revel announced within hours of the latest death that it would be suspending service of its Vespa-like vehicles in New York City. Revel is based in Brooklyn but has expanded its moped sharing services to other cities throughout the country. In a statement, the company said that it was shutting down the NYC service until further notice while it strengthened and reviewed “rider accountability and safety measures.”

Moped sharing is a convenient way for many people to get around the city. However, since the company launched the service, safety concerns have been an issue. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Revel for injuries and allegations that the mopeds malfunctioned.

Common Moped Injuries and Damages

The types of mopeds used by Revel and other ride-sharing companies are much like motorcycles. In most cases, the company has the speed of the mopeds regulated so that they cannot exceed 25 to 30 mph. However, scooters and mopeds you purchase from a dealer could have top speeds of 60 to 75 mph.

Because scooters are considered less dangerous than a full-size motorcycle, many people do not treat them with the same level of respect. They do not see scooters as posing the same risk for serious injury in an accident.

However, scooter accident injuries can be traumatic. In some cases, injuries from a scooter accident can be life-threatening.

Common scooter accident injuries include:

The damages caused by scooter accidents and moped accidents include physical injuries, pain, and suffering. They also include medical bills and loss of income. If the victim sustains a permanent impairment, the lifetime damages could total millions of dollars.

Who Is Responsible for Moped and Scooter Accidents?

The cause of the scooter crash typically determines who is responsible for the victim’s damages. As with other traffic accidents, human error often plays a factor in scooter accidents.

Common causes of scooter accidents include:

  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Distracted driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Speeding and reckless driving
  • Malfunctions and defective equipment
  • Improper maintenance
  • Failure to follow traffic laws
  • Other motorists

When a motorist is responsible for causing the crash, the motorist can be held liable for damages. However, if the scooter malfunctioned, the manufacturer may be liable. In the case of a scooter sharing company, the company could be liable if it failed to maintain the scooter or was otherwise negligent. 

A personal injury attorney can review the case to determine how the accident occurred and identify all parties who might be liable for a victim’s injuries, damages, and losses.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York City

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007