California Scooter Accident Lawyers
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Our California Scooter Accident Lawyers Provide Clear Guidance For Injured Victims
Electric scooters have become a familiar sight on the streets of California. They have quickly become one of the most convenient and inexpensive methods of traveling short distances across our state’s major cities. Unfortunately, they have also caused many serious injuries, and the number of accidents is undoubtedly on the rise.
A study reported by CBS 4 Indy found that the number of radiology exams for scooter accidents in Indianapolis had tripled between 2017 and 2018. Interestingly, the study also found that injury victims were twice as likely to be male.
These statistics are playing out across the country, and here in California, as well. If you are injured while riding a Bird scooter, Lime scooter, Spin scooter, Scooterson, Unagi scooter, Skip scooter, Swiftmile scooter, or other types of electric rental scooters, it is important to protect your legal rights. Our experienced scooter accident lawyers assist accident victims in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and the rest of California.
We know how to handle scooter accident cases. We have experience in negotiating just settlement amounts and taking injury cases to trial when necessary. Our attorneys stay current on the latest technologies (such as e-scooters) and how they are treated under existing California personal injury laws. We are here to help you advocate for your legal right to compensation.
Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced California accident lawyer from Arash Law.
Local Regulation Of Electric Scooters
In 2018, Section 21235 of the California Vehicle Code was amended to clarify riders’ legal obligations while operating electric scooters. State law now prohibits riders from:
- Operating a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
- Operating a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a Class II or Class IV bikeway.
- Operating a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212, if the operator is under 18 years of age.
- Operating a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit.
- Operating a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.
- Operating a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
- Operating a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
- Operating a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate their hands above the level of their shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
- Leaving a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or parking a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
- Attaching the motorized scooter or themselves while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.
In addition to these restrictions made by state law, municipalities can also enact their own local rules for the use of scooters within city limits.
San Diego County's Electric Scooter Regulations
In April 2019, the San Diego City Council enacted new regulations for e-scooter riding within city limits. Within three months, two scooter companies had left San Diego, and a third (Lime) was at risk of losing its operating permit due to repeated infractions. Meanwhile, complaints continued to pour in from angry citizens even after the regulations were enacted.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that, between late June and mid-September, the City received almost 15,000 complaints about scooter usage. A whopping 75 percent of these complaints came from just twenty citizens (each of whom made an average of over 560 complaints).
So what, exactly, are the regulations San Diego has in place? According to the City of San Diego, riders must follow the same rules that apply in most California cities. Scooters cannot be ridden on sidewalks. Scooters must be parked without blocking through traffic on the sidewalk or road. Scooters can be ridden in parks and on beaches where the use of bicycles is allowed. Beach riding is also becoming more restricted.
The La Jolla Light reports that the San Diego City Council just approved a ban on electric scooters on all beach boardwalks from La Jolla to Mission Beach. This could be a sign of further restrictions to come in 2020. San Diego scooter riders should always pay attention to new regulations and be sure to read all posted signs related to scooter usage.
Los Angeles County's Electric Scooter Regulations
- Riders must be 18 and have a valid driver’s license.
- Riders cannot carry passengers.
- Riders cannot travel faster than fifteen miles per hour.
- Riders must follow all motor vehicle laws and local ordinances.
- Riders cannot operate an e-scooter on sidewalks.
- In front of driveways, crosswalks, and transit stops
- Near ADA access ramps
- Near utilities (such as fire hydrants)
- Along color curbs (such as Accessible Parking Zones-blue and Loading Zones-yellow)
- On landscaped areas or grass
- On sidewalks less than three feet wide
- Leave at least six feet of sidewalk space for pedestrians and persons with disabilities
Sacramento County's Electric Scooter Regulations
As is the case in many other California cities, it is illegal to operate an electric scooter on the sidewalk in Sacramento. It is also illegal to block sidewalks or curbs. Electric scooters in Sacramento must be docked in bike racks or designated scooter drop zones. The City of Sacramento reports that it will install more drop zones and bike racks as funding becomes available. Drop zones can be found at:
- City Hall (9th St between I and J Streets)
- 20th St and Capitol Ave
- R St at 29th St
- 35th St at Broadway
San Francisco's E-Scooter Regulations
In September 2019, four companies won permits to operate electric scooters within the San Francisco city limits: Jump, Lime, Scoot, and Spin. The San Francisco Examiner reports that these companies will each be allowed to start with 1,000 scooters. This number can be increased to 2,500 if the companies meet service requirements. If the companies perform well, this could mean a total of ten thousand scooters on the streets of San Francisco.
The permit and service requirements are part of the Powered Scooter Program enacted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. This initial phase will give scooter companies the chance to prove that they can meet the City’s rules for the orderly operation of scooters. This will also give the public a chance to observe scooter use and report violations.
Together, concerned citizens and the MTA will be able to hold scooter companies accountable for following rules regarding the parking, operation, and collection of their electric scooters.
California scooter laws apply to riders in San Francisco. They must hold a valid driver’s license, they cannot carry passengers, and they may not ride on sidewalks. All riders should follow signs and directions related to scooter operation and parking.
Verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case involving a motor vehicle collision.– Judd Ross Allen
Frequently Asked Questions About Scooter Accidents
Electric scooters are a relatively new technology. Due to this, it is not always clear how existing personal injury laws will apply to scooter cases. These are some of the most common questions our personal injury lawyers get about scooter cases:
Do I Need An Attorney After An E-Scooter Accident?
You may have the right to seek compensation for personal injuries you sustain as a result of another person’s negligence. It is important to seek legal advice if possible after any accident, including an e-scooter accident. Consulting with an attorney does not mean that you are guaranteed compensation, but doing so can help you protect your legal rights.
It is important to hold negligent drivers, companies, and others accountable for the damage they cause. This is one way to discourage such dangerous conduct in the future. Our car accident lawyers who handle scooter accident cases can check the details of your accident in a free initial consultation and help you pursue potential compensation to reduce your financial losses.
Who Is Legally Responsible For An Accident Involving An Electric Bike Or Scooter?
Existing personal injury laws establish clear rules regarding liability, and these rules can be applied to scooter accidents. A driver can be legally responsible (“liable”) for an accident if they were distracted, impaired, or negligent. Scooter riders can also be liable if they cross outside of a crosswalk, run a light, or otherwise violate traffic laws. Importantly, both the driver and the scooter rider can be assigned partial liability for an accident if both were negligent in causing it.
A manufacturer can also be held liable for an accident if it was caused by a defective vehicle. Auto manufacturers routinely recall vehicles to correct problems that could lead to car accidents. This is because the company is liable for any defects in the design or manufacture of their vehicles (and the accidents that are caused by these defects). If, for example, a driver hit a scooter because of defective brakes, the auto manufacturer could be liable for the injuries sustained by the victim. Similarly, a scooter manufacturer could be liable for defects that prevented the rider from avoiding a collision.
What Are Some Common Causes Of Rental Scooter Accidents?
Scooter accidents are caused by many of the same factors that cause car, bike, and pedestrian accidents.
These include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Running red lights
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Crossing against the light, outside of a designated crosswalk, or away from the curbs
Some causes of crashes are unique to scooters. Perhaps a rider is unfamiliar with the scooter and accidentally veers directly into oncoming traffic. Or maybe a driver is not familiar with a scooter’s size and attempts to pass too closely.
In these cases, it may be clear who was at fault for causing the accident. However, victims who consult with experienced scooter accident lawyers could benefit from professional support.
What Are The Common Injuries Caused By Scooter Accidents?
You might think that scooter injuries are usually not very serious because of their relatively low top speed. This is certainly not the case, and like bicyclists or pedestrians, scooter riders have almost no protection from the force of impact. If scooter riders collide with a heavy vehicle, the force of this impact can cause life-threatening injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries suffered in scooter accidents:
Head Injuries
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, over 1.7 million people in the United States suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) every year. 5.3 million people in the United States are living with disabilities caused by TBIs. Head injuries can also cause facial scarring, chronic neck pain, and other conditions that can affect victims for the rest of their lives.
Under California law, you can hold a careless driver liable for damages caused by an accident. This can be a relatively small or large amount, depending on your injury. Some only get concussions that heal in a few days, while others suffer from serious TBI that prevents victims from working permanently. A scooter accident lawyer can help you estimate the potential value of your personal injury claim.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common in almost any form of trauma. Some minor breaks can heal on their own. More commonly, the victim is left in a cast for weeks, immobilized while the bones heal. Broken bones can be complicated by an underlying medical condition. A vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, or lactose intolerance can all make it more difficult for the body to rebuild its bones. Broken bones can also be complicated by the nature of the break.
If, for example, there is a sharp shard of bone left inside your body, it could pierce nearby blood vessels and cause internal bleeding. It could also pierce a nerve and cause painful neurological damage. Be sure to get all the medical treatment you need to correct these complications. Consult with any specialists that are recommended by your doctor and follow their recommendations.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other non-bony structures of the body. They are common in any type of vehicle accident, including e-scooter accidents. Insurance companies may try to devalue a soft tissue injury claim. They may portray the injury as minor or insignificant and attempt to make a low settlement offer as a result.
But the reality is that soft tissue injuries can be horribly painful and have a significant impact on your quality of life. You might need physical therapy, chiropractic services, or other medical treatment in order to manage the pain. Some victims are never able to fully recover and must live with discomfort or limited mobility for the rest of their lives. These are compensable injuries.
Don’t let the insurance company shortchange you. Work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands how to prove and pursue the fair value of your claim under California law. When someone else’s negligence causes an accident, you may seek compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other resulting damages.
Let us help you prove these losses so you can focus on recovering from your scooter accident. Our scooter accident lawyers can discuss your options in a free case review.
Talk To A Scooter Accident Lawyer In California
It can be difficult to know what to do after any traffic accident. Laws involving electric scooters can make an accident case even more confusing. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our experienced scooter accident lawyers. We assist victims from San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and other areas of California.
