Riverside Scooter Accident Lawyer

In recent years, California has experienced rapid growth with its electric scooter usage. As companies such as Bird and Lime offer their users a new and convenient means to travel throughout Riverside, riding an electric scooter has become a fun and eco-friendly way to go about your day-to-day life. Even though these services provide benefits to users and to the environment, they still do come along with some downsides. 

Rentable e-scooters are made to offer convenient transportation, however, safety gear, such as helmets and elbow pads are not provided. The lack of safety equipment will definitely increase the likelihood of suffering from a severe injury if the rider were to get involved in an accident. However it is important to mention that those who utilize these e-scooter services are often found to be people who have little to no experience riding an e-scooter. If the rider lacks knowledge and experience, it could make it difficult for them to ride without falling or crashing into people.

If you or a loved one was injured in a scooter accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of Riverside scooter accident lawyers are ready to take on your case and serve as your personal legal representative during this time in your life. With over 20 years of legal experience, our talented and compassionate team of attorneys are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we continue to do our duty and watch out for their best interests to ensure they are made whole. Whether you have been involved in an accident as a scooter rider or as a pedestrian, our experienced team of accident attorneys have seen them all and they are available to answer any questions or concerns you have regarding your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Electric Scooter Laws

According to California’s DMV, an electric scooter is defined as a micromobility device that has two wheels, a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard that you can stand on while riding it. Scooter riders are allowed to drive them on bicycle paths, trails, and bikeways, however, they cannot exceed a speed limit of 15 mph.

California Vehicle Code 21235 outlines a list of rules and regulations of what scooter riders should not do. Should anyone break any of the following rules, they would become subjected to a series of traffic violations and tickets and the severity of each violation will be dependent on the issuing officer.

• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter without a brake installed.
• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted helmet, if the operator is under 18 years of age.
• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit.
• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter with any additional passengers.
• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter while carrying a package or items that prevents them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk.
• A rider cannot operate a motorized scooter on the highway.
• A rider cannot leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk.
• A rider cannot attach the motorized scooter onto themselves or to any other vehicle on the road.

While these are some of the basic rules required in California. Electric scooter companies also ask for additional requirements in order for users to access their rentable e-scooters and e-bikes, so if you are interested in utilizing their services, be sure to check that you can fulfill all of their requirements.

Electric Scooter Accident Statistics

Safety has been a major point of contention with regard to scooter regulation. Push back from major companies, such as Uber, Lyft and Bird, have altered the law when it comes to helmet requirements and restricted riding zones. However, regardless of the strictness and severity of regulations, accidents still happen.

According to a micromobility hazard report from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, they have discovered that the injury rate for electric scooters has been increasing at a rate of 23% annually from 2017 to 2022. In the same report, they have deduced that electric scooter accidents have been gradually increasing by rates of almost 20% per year. While motorized scooters have given users a new means of traveling, the chances of getting into an accident is gradually increasing unless riders become more experienced at operating motorized scooters.

Common Electric Scooter Injury Causes  

As with any mode of transportation, there is a certain level of risk that is involved when riding rentable scooters such as a Lime or Bird scooter. The micromobility hazard report from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has discovered that some of the leading causes of e-scooter accidents are largely due to negligent driving issues from scooter riders and other nearby drivers. While the severity of a scooter crash is going to be dependent on the nature of the accident and severity of the injury, it is important to understand the subtle nuances of each cause when you discuss your case with an attorney.

Traffic Collisions

A traffic collision is defined as an accident when a scooter crashes into another vehicle due to one or both parties not noticing the other’s presence. Whether it occurs when in the bike lanes or at an intersection, scooter accidents from a traffic collision is one of the most severe because scooter riders are more susceptible to serious injuries when they get struck by a car.

Injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones all require intensive medical treatment and depending on the severity of the injury it can result in high medical bills. If you have been involved in an accident involving negligent drivers, it is vital that you hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you and ensure your odds of recovering from your injuries.

Pedestrian Collisions

Pedestrian collisions are when a scooter rider crashes into a pedestrian and causes significant injuries as a result of the crash. This is a type of scooter accident that holds riders liable for their negligence and not following the proper rules of riding motorized scooters. 

Should it happen in a large crowd of people or with a random person walking down the street, the rider is responsible for their actions because they are riding a motorized vehicle. Depending on the speed and severity of the collision, reckless drivers can become responsible for covering for all sustained injuries that the injured pedestrian has suffered.

Distracted Driving

One of the most common causes of scooter accidents, distracted driving is defined as the act of getting distracted while riders are driving on the road. The source of the distraction can range from anywhere such as looking at one’s phone to rubbernecking at an accident. 

As a result, distracted driving on a scooter can lead to a variety of accidents with other drivers and people. Depending on the nature of the accident, scooter accident victims may be held partially liable for their actions, but it is recommended to seek help from personal injury lawyers who are well versed in dealing with this type of accident case.

Common E-Scooter Accident Injuries 

From what is typically seen in Riverside county, brain injuries, road rash, and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common scooter injuries found in accidents. While the severity of each injury will vary on a case-by-case basis, these e-scooter injuries can happen to anyone, so if you have been severely injured in a scooter crash, it is important to seek immediate medical attention so that your condition doesn’t worsen.

Brain Injury

Brain injuries are defined as a brain dysfunction caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head. According to a study conducted in 2021, head and neck injuries accounted for about 28% of all e-scooter accident injuries in the United States and out of that percentage, about 32% of injured riders suffered from brain injuries. While the severity of a brain injury will vary, it is highly recommended to seek medical treatment for any kind of brain injury, because even the most minor one can potentially develop into a serious injury with long-term health complications.

Road Rash

A road rash or sometimes referred to as a ‘road burn’ is a type of burn when skin scrapes against the road. If a scooter rider is riding at high speeds and is thrown off of their e-scooter, they will likely face a severe road burn especially if they are not wearing any kind of safety gear. While this is another type of injury that the severity will be dependent on the speed, these injuries can typically be healed quickly should proper medical care is applied. If not, then you risk the possibility of your road rash becoming infected and will require more intensive medical care.

Spinal Cord Injury

If an e-scooter rider lands on their back in a scooter accident then they will likely damage an area of their spinal cord. As back injuries are due to the spine’s limited ability to absorb impact, the severity of the injury will be dependent on several factors such as which section of the spine was injured and the impact force. 

In the most severe cases, certain sections of the spine may become completely damaged and will result in paralysis, but in more moderate cases it may result in chronic back pain. With that in mind, it is vital that you seek legal representation to recover damages, because suffering a spinal cord injury is a life changing injury that can drastically alter your day-to-day life.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Scooter Crash

Depending on the severity of the scooter accident, the state of the scooter driver, and the liability of the accident. As scooter drivers must follow traffic rules like any other driver on the road, if they were found partially liable for causing the accident then their awarded compensation may be reduced to take accountability for their actions.

With that in mind, the awarded compensation can vary on a case-by-case basis. For example, scooter accidents where the victim has sustained severe injuries such as a traumatic brain injury may be eligible anywhere between the six to seven figure range, due to the associated medical bills and long-term medical care required to ensure that the victims are living a life where they are properly cared for and treated.

However, for more moderate scooter accidents, they can typically range anywhere within the five figure range to cover any medical bills and property damage. If you are unsure about the total value of your scooter accident, then it is recommended to consult with an experienced scooter accident lawyer.

What Should I Do if I Was in a Scooter Accident?

If you were involved in a scooter accident, it is important that you stay calm and properly assess the severity of the situation. If you or anyone else requires immediate medical attention, call 911 and have first responders take control of the situation to ensure that it doesn’t get worse.

In the scenario that nobody needs immediate medical attention, it is vital to exchange contact information with everyone involved and document the scene as much as possible and this can include taking photos, videos, making police reports, and taking witness statements. Once you have done everything, you can take all of that information to an electric scooter accident lawyer and you two can discuss the details of your eligibility to file a claim.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one were injured in a scooter accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries and any other sustained damages. As filing a personal injury claim can be a long and confusing process for those who are unfamiliar with the legal process, it is vital that you hire an experienced scooter accident lawyer to represent you and your best interests.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of electric scooter accident lawyers are ready to take on your case and give you the legal representation that you are looking for. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury law and with over 20 years of legal experience, our team of attorneys are confident that they can get the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our duty to fight for them and look out for their best interests. Whether you have been involved in a minor accident or one that has left you with catastrophic injuries, our team of attorneys will be there every step of the way and answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation today, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Scooter Accidents in Riverside

Can I Sue Electric Scooter Companies for My Injuries?

Your ability to sue electric scooter companies will depend on very specific conditions such as whether they were negligent in their duty to provide users electric scooters that were in the most optimal condition, or failing to inform users about any serious risks regarding their scooters. While it is more difficult to sue electric scooter companies, it is not impossible, but it is recommended to consult with an attorney about it first.

How Much Does A Scooter Accident Attorney Cost?

Most scooter accident attorneys operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means you won’t have to pay any legal fees until your attorney either wins your lawsuit or accepts a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should either scenario occur, then the attorney can charge a flat fee for their services anywhere between 25%-40%, but they tend to average around a competitive rate of 33%. However, it is important that you ask your lawyer about their rates before hiring them for a case.

Are Electric Scooters Street Legal in California?

Electric scooters are street legal in California, however, every scooter rider is expected to follow all traffic laws and rules when they are riding them. With that in mind, any failure to follow basic traffic rules will result in a traffic violation and a ticket.