Our California scooter accident attorneys represent people who have suffered injuries in a scooter crash, no matter if the scooter was push operated, gas, or electric.
Scooter accidents have been on the rise in California ever since companies like Bird Rides, Inc., LimeBike, and Spin started offering scooter share programs throughout the state. If you were injured in a scooter accident, you have the right to consult with an attorney to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Scooter accidents can injure scooter operators, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Common accident injuries include head injuries, broken bones, cuts, and sprained wrists and ankles.
Defendants in scooter accident cases will vary depending on the facts of a particular case. Possible liable parties can include:
- negligent scooter operators,
- negligent drivers,
- pedestrians,
- scooter manufacturers (in product liability cases), and
- scooter operators.
Not only can a scooter accident lawyer initiate a lawsuit against one of these parties, but the attorney can also:
- help gather evidence against an at-fault party,
- file an injury claim with a negligent party’s insurer,
- manage a victim’s medical care, and
- maximize an injury victim’s compensation.
The Shouse Law Group is a California based personal injury firm that helps people to bring Bird scooter accident lawsuits and Lime accident lawsuits. We work tirelessly for all our clients and seek to get you the biggest settlement possible. Contact our law firm today to get the legal help you deserve.
If you were injured in a scooter accident, you have the right to consult with an attorney to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
What are common types of scooter accidents and injuries?
Scooter accidents have soared in recent years. According to a study by the University of California San Francisco, the number of scooter-related injuries and hospital admissions grew by 222 percent between 2014 and 2018 to more than 39,000 injuries. Further, during the same time period, the number of hospital admissions soared by 365 percent to a total of nearly 3,300.1
Scooter accidents can take many forms.
Scooter riders can get injured in an isolated crash caused by a malfunctioning issue with the device or a road hazard. Common road hazards can include:
- potholes,
- litter, and
- sticks and branches.
Pedestrians can also suffer scooter injuries in pedestrian accidents if they get hit by a push operated or motorized scooter.
Further, scooter operators can suffer serious injuries in accidents involving:
- other scooters,
- pedestrians,
- motorists or motor vehicles (including Lyft and Uber drivers),
- bicyclists, and
- motorcyclists.
Common injuries that people suffer in a scooter crash include:
- head injuries,
- brain injuries,
- broken bones,
- cuts, and
- sprained wrists and ankles.
Some scooter accidents can even result in the death of a scooter driver or another person.
Note that California law sets forth several requirements that people must follow while operating an electric scooter.2 For example, scooter drivers must:
- wear a helmet if they are under the age of 18,3
- maintain a scooter speed of 15 mph or less,4
- use designated bike lanes when operating a scooter,5 and
- have a valid driver’s license.6
Who can people sue following a scooter crash?
Potential liable parties in an electric scooter accident/E-scooter accident will vary depending on the particular facts of the case.
For example, if a pedestrian was hit by a scooter, the pedestrian could file a lawsuit against the scooter operator if he/she was driving the device carelessly or negligently.
In cases where scooter drivers are injured after a car accident, scooter operators can possibly file a lawsuit against the negligent drivers.
If a scooter operator is injured because of a malfunction with the scooter, then the scooter driver could possibly file a lawsuit against the scooter manufacturer or scooter operator.
Finally, scooter drivers could file a lawsuit against a governmental agency if they were injured because of poorly maintained:
- roads,
- sidewalks,
- curbs, or
- traffic signs or signals.
Note that people who file a personal injury claim following a scooter crash can try to receive compensation for:
- medical bills and medical expenses,
- lost wages,
- lost earning capacity,
- property damage, and
- pain and suffering.
If a person was killed in a scooter accident, the family members of the victim can likely bring a wrongful death suit against the at-fault party.
What is the role of a scooter accident lawyer?
Personal injury attorneys play an invaluable role in scooter accident cases. For starters, they can help injury victims secure immediate medical treatment and manage a victim’s ongoing medical care.
A skilled lawyer can also investigate an accident and gather evidence to show that another party acted negligently or in a careless or wrongful matter.
Further, personal injury lawyers can send a demand letter to the person or entity that is responsible for causing the scooter accident. A demand letter is a document that informs the at-fault party that the injury victim intends to file a personal injury claim with the party’s insurance company.
If a claim proves unsuccessful, then an attorney can file a lawsuit on behalf of the accident victim and litigate the suit. Note that legal claims take time and often involve analyzing and interpreting complex laws. Lawyers are typically better situated to weather the legal system while also interpreting the law to all applicable parties.
What are the benefits in hiring a scooter accident attorney?
Scooter accident lawyers know what a case is worth. This means they will fight to recover the biggest possible payout for their clients.
They also know where to find hidden value in a case. Finding hidden value means that a lawyer can help a client maximize his/her compensation.
Note, too, that sometimes scooter accidents will involve multiple parties. In these cases, a scooter accident lawyer can identify all applicable insurance policies that will reimburse an injury victim for his/her losses.
In addition, lawyers play an integral role in injury cases in managing a victim’s medical care.
For additional help…
Call us for help…
If you or a loved one was injured in a scooter accident, we invite you to contact our law firm at the Shouse Law Group. Our attorneys provide both free consultations/free case evaluations and legal advice you can trust.
We work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation available for your case. Our attorneys represent scooter clients throughout all of California, including those in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Southern California.
Legal References:
- Elizabeth Fernandez, “Urban Health Scare: E-Scooters Show Alarming Spike in Injuries.”
- Electric scooters are also referred to as “E-scooters.” Depending on the company that provides them, they can also be referred to as “Bird scooters” or “Lime scooters.” E-scooters have an electric motor, a floorboard, and handlebars.
- California Vehicle Code 21235 VC.
- California Vehicle Code 22411 VC.
- California Vehicle Code 21229 VC.
- California Vehicle Code 21235 VC.