Los Angeles Scooter Accident Lawyer

Electric scooters are everywhere in Los Angeles, lined up near Metro stations, around USC and UCLA, and riding through Sunset, Wilshire, and Figueroa. We get it, they’re convenient. But when a driver cuts you off, a wheel hits a broken sidewalk in Koreatown, or a scooter malfunctions on Venice’s crowded paths, that “quick ride” can turn into medical bills, missed work, and months of pain.

West Coast Trial Lawyers are here to support injured riders and pedestrians in Los Angeles recover the money they’re owed. We know the local rules, the insurers, and the way e-scooter companies fight claims. If you were hurt on a Bird, Lime, Spin, or other scooter (or hit by one) we’re here to protect you.

To speak with an experienced Los Angeles e-scooter accident lawyer, call (213) 927-3700  or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. 

Quick Facts About E-Scooter Injuries (And Why LA Riders Are at Risk)

• A UCLA analysis of Los Angeles data found about 115 injuries per 1 million e-scooter trips—a higher injury rate than for bicycles and passenger cars.
• Nationally, micromobility ER visits keep climbing; the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports a 21% increase from 2021 to 2022, and its 2017–2023 study details patterns for e-scooter injuries (rental scooters accounted for 40% of 2023 e-scooter ED visits in a special study). 
• L.A. launched one of the largest dockless pilots in the country (permitting tens of thousands of devices). Early city reporting shows hundreds of LAPD-logged collisions and continued efforts to refine crash data collection. More devices + more trips = more exposure. 
• Shared micromobility trips are growing nationwide, surpassing pre-pandemic peaks—so exposure in big cities like L.A. is up.

Bottom line: L.A. riders face dense traffic, inconsistent bike lane protection, and heavy tourist zones, all of which push injury risk higher.

California Scooter Laws Every LA Rider Should Know

Key California Vehicle Code sections that often matter in claims:

• CVC §21221– Scooter riders have the same rights and duties as drivers (e.g., traffic signals, DUI rules), with limited exceptions.
• CVC §21235– Core prohibitions: no passengers, no sidewalk riding (except to enter/leave property), helmet required if under 18, valid license or permit required, equipment rules, and roadway speed-limit interactions with bikeways. 
• CVC §22411– 15 mph maximum for motorized scooters.  
• CVC §21229– If a Class II bike lane exists, ride in it (with listed exceptions).
• CVC §21228– For left turns, riders must typically dismount and cross on foot. 

Local guidance also reinforces speed caps, bike-lane use, and no-sidewalk riding for safety (and many beach-area restrictions apply around Venice).  

Why this matters: Violations can affect fault arguments and insurance defenses. We’ll analyze the facts and the code to put your case on solid ground.

Common Ways E-Scooter Crashes Happen in LA

• Driver negligence: Doorings along Vermont or Fairfax; illegal right on red downtown; rideshare cars pulling into bike lanes.
• Dangerous roadway conditions: Potholes in East Hollywood; broken sidewalks near older commercial corridors; debris in bike lanes after events.
• Defective or poorly maintained scooters: Brake failure, loose stems/handlebars, battery or throttle glitches.
• Scooter parked or deployed unsafely: Trip-and-fall over a scooter blocking an ADA path or curb ramp.
• Night visibility issues: Poor lighting on multilane roads; drivers failing to see riders at crosswalks.
• Tourist zones + crowding: Boardwalks and beach paths in Venice and Santa Monica create conflicts between walkers and riders.

LADOT underscores how the city’s dense, mixed-use corridors complicate scooter operations—data collection and regulation have evolved as deployments scaled up.

Who Can Be Liable for a Scooter Accident?

Depending on the facts, one or more parties may share responsibility:

• Drivers who violate right-of-way, speed, or fail to check mirrors before opening doors.
• E-scooter companies for poor maintenance, device defects, or dangerous deployment.
• Manufacturers of scooters and components (design or manufacturing defects).
• Property owners (unsafe premises, tripping hazards from scooter clutter they controlled).
• The City or another public entity (defective road design, dangerous conditions of public property).

California uses a pure comparative negligence model, which means you can still recover damages even if you’re partly at fault; any award is reduced by your percentage of fault. This doctrine comes from Li v. Yellow Cab (Cal. 1975) and appears in the Judicial Council jury instructions (CACI 405).

What to Do After a Scooter Accident in Los Angeles

1. Call 911 and get medical care—even if you feel “mostly okay.” Head/neck injuries often show symptoms later.
2. Document everything: Photos of the scene, scooter, scrapes on the pavement, damaged helmet, license plate(s), and signage or lane markings (e.g., Class II bike lanes).
3. Get witness info (names, phone numbers).
4. Save the ride data: Screenshot your rental app trip, timestamps, and any prompts or error messages.
5. Report the incident: LAPD and the scooter operator (Bird/Lime/etc.).
6. Don’t give recorded statements to insurers before you talk to a lawyer.
7. Call West Coast Trial Lawyers—we’ll protect your claim from day one.

How We Build Your Case (Our LA Playbook)

• Scene + device forensics: We obtain maintenance logs, deployment records, firmware/repair histories, and trip telemetry from the scooter company when available.
• Roadway + infrastructure review: We inspect the exact block, look for design defects, missing signage, inadequate lighting, or debris patterns.
• Medical evidence: We connect your injuries (e.g., wrist fractures, concussions, spinal injuries) to the crash forces and timeline.
• Comparative fault defense: We push back when insurers blame riders for speed or lane position by using code-compliant riding exceptions (e.g., leaving a bike lane to avoid hazards under CVC §21229).
• Public entity claims: When city infrastructure is at issue, we file the required Government Claim on time and preserve the right to sue.

Deadlines That Can Make or Break Your LA Scooter Claim

• General personal injury statute of limitations (California): 2 years from the injury. (There are exceptions; ask us.)
• Claims against public entities (e.g., City of L.A., LADOT): An administrative Government Claim must be filed within 6 months of the injury (and additional rules apply after rejection). 

Miss a deadline and a judge may dismiss the case, talk to a Los Angeles E-Scooter Accident Lawyer so we can preserve evidence and calendar every deadline.

What Your Case May Be Worth

 

Every case is different, but we regularly pursue:

• Medical bills (past and future) and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and loss of future earning ability
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Property damage (phone, watch, scooter fees)
• Punitive damages (rare, but possible in cases of extreme misconduct)

Insurers often push low offers by arguing you were speeding, not in a bike lane, or that your injuries are “minor.” Our job is to connect the medical evidence to the crash and show the real impact on your life.

Special Note on Venice & Beach-Area Restrictions

Los Angeles has taken steps to regulate scooter rentals and riding around Venice Beach (including restrictions on rentals near the boardwalk and limits on beach paths). If your collision happened in or near Venice, local rules may affect fault analysis—we know how to navigate that.

Why Choose West Coast Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles?

• Local knowledge, real trial experience- We know L.A. streets, courts, adjusters, and defense tactics. Also, We’re Real Trial Lawyers with decades of experience winning cases in front of a judge & jury
• Resource-heavy investigations- We secure app data, device records, camera footage, and road-design files to strengthen fault.
• Client-first service- Clear communication, medical-care coordination, and help with bills while your case moves forward. We’ve recovered over $1.7 Billion for our clients!
• No fee unless we win- You pay nothing upfront.

What We Need to Start (And How to Make Your Claim Stronger)

• Photos/video of the scene (including bike-lane markings or road defects)
• Your scooter app screen(s) (trip map, timestamps)
• Names/contacts for witnesses
• Insurance info for involved drivers
• ER/hospital/urgent-care records, follow-up visits, imaging, and bills
• Work documentation for missed time or modified duties

Can’t gather everything? That’s okay—call our Los Angeles E-Scooter Accident Lawyers and we’ll take over the heavy lifting.

Ready to Talk to a Los Angeles E-Scooter Lawyer?

If a scooter crash changed your day, or your life, let West Coast Trial Lawyers carry the fight. We’re a personal injury law firm based in Downtown Los Angeles and serve clients across Los Angeles County. We’ll listen to you, explain your options, and move fast to protect your case.

Call (213) 927-3700 or send a message for a free, no-obligation consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Scooter Accidents

Are Scooters Allowed on Sidewalks in Los Angeles?

Generally no. California law prohibits riding motorized scooters on sidewalks except to enter/leave adjacent property. Many local rules also restrict riding in beach paths and crowded promenades.  

How Fast Can I Legally Ride?

15 mph max (state law). Insurers love to claim “excessive speed”—we analyze app data, device limits, and video to rebut that.  

Do I Have to Use the Bike Lane?

 If a Class II bike lane exists, yes—with exceptions (passing, left turns, hazards, right turns). We use these exceptions to push back on “improper lane use” arguments.

I’m Partly at Fault—Do I Still Have a Case?

Yes. California uses comparative negligence, so your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover.  

What if the City’s Roadway Was Unsafe?

 Claims against public entities have special rules and short deadlines (often 6 months). Call us quickly so we can file on time.  

I Tripped Over a Scooter Left Blocking the Sidewalk—Can I Bring a Claim?

 Potentially, depending on who controlled the hazard (the scooter operator’s program, a business, or a property owner) and applicable ordinances. We’ll investigate responsibility.

Do Helmets Matter for My Claim?

Under-18 riders must wear them; for adults it’s not required. Helmet use can affect injury severity evidence, but lack of a helmet doesn’t automatically bar a claim.