A BIRD e-scooter crash victim hit out at the firm’s response to her accident in an emotional speech at Wednesday’s town hall meeting.
Marija Ignjatovic’s accident happened in February when she said she couldn’t see her route home on the scooter because it was dark and the headlights’ strength was insufficient.
Marija added she remembered hitting the kerb and hearing the bone in her leg break.
She said she got in touch with Bird’s insurance company but heard nothing for four months.
She claimed when Bird replied she was told she was not covered by insurance.
“I had been in the hospital for nearly a month, messaging every day waiting for a response.
“I begged Bird to give me a refund for the night I had my accident and it took four months for it to be processed.
“I had no insurance cover for four months while I was on sick pay from a job I had only just started.
“I am so lucky I still have my job, but I would appreciate it if the customer service and empathy side of Bird was a bit more heart-to-heart instead of just a computer that talks to you.”
Marija said she thought Bird has ‘really good intentions’, adding Wednesday’s meeting was a great way to find out what needed improving.
Her suggestions for improvement included introducing allocated bike lanes and four-wheel scooters as well as possibly putting earlier time locks on the vehicles when it was darker to make it safer for potentially unsighted pedestrians.
Bird stated at the meeting it was unable to discuss individual cases but, in response to our story last week about another e-scooter accident, the company said safety was a top priority.
