Riverside Scooter Accident Attorney

The Popularity of E-Scooters and the Safety Risks Associated With It

In recent years, California has experienced rapid growth with its electric scooter and bike use. This is most likely due to the perceived notion that e-scooters and e-bikes are not only beneficial to a rider’s physical health, but to the environment, as well.

Riverside was introduced to e-scooters in September of 2018. Many people have since made use of e-scooters. With the convenience and affordability that e-scooter companies, such as Bird and Lime, offer to its users, it’s no wonder why so many people are often seen riding them around the city. Even though these services provide benefits, they do come along with some downsides.

E-scooters are made to offer convenient transportation. Safety gear, such as helmets and elbow pads, are not provided. This could increase the likelihood of suffering from a severe injury if the rider was to get involved in an accident. Furthermore, 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. This may turn into a dangerous situation for both the rider and pedestrians nearby.

If you are a victim of an e-scooter accident and would like to pursue a lawsuit against the party at-fault, West Coast Trial Lawyers has experienced Riverside e-scooter accident attorneys who are readily available to provide you with legal assistance. With our track record of winning more than 5,000 personal injury cases and recovering over $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will deliver a good outcome to your case.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our Riverside personal injury law firm, contact our 24/7 legal team by calling 213-927-3700 or emailing info@westcoasttriallawyers.com. 

The Popularity of UC Riverside Electric Scooters 

Bird reported an initial wave of 90,000 rides within a 3 month period at UC Riverside. However, there was then a significant decline in electric scooter usage. According to Irma Henderson, the University of California Riverside’s director of Transportation and Parking Services, “It was a slow drop-off after the fall.”

Nowadays, most Riverside e-scooters and e-bikes are privately owned and operated. In fact, e-scooter usage has been restricted on UC Riverside’s sidewalks and pathways. Electric scooters have become so unpopular that a recorded 500 abandoned scooters were removed from campus due to non-usage.

UC Riverside has since taken the initiative of establishing rules and regulations that ensure both public safety and environmental friendliness. These regulations dictate:

• An electronic boundary that alerts riders if they travel through restricted zones.
• A permit and fee program that restricts the number of e-scooter companies and devices that are allowed to operate not only on campus, but in Riverside in general.
• A maximum speed limit.
• The removal of broken, abandoned, or inadequately parked devices.

Electric Scooter Safety Tips

The introduction and popularity of electric scooters has encouraged modifications to current laws. For example, regardless of age, previous California state law required all riders of electric scooters to wear a standardized helmet. However, according to spokespeople from major electric scooter companies, such as Uber, Lyft and Bird, a helmet prerequisite is damaging to their businesses. Electric scooter regulations are currently under scrutiny. However, regardless of the law, there are safety tips that most can agree upon:

• Wear a helmet. It is always a good idea to wear a helmet, regardless of age or local laws. Helmets have been proven to not only reduce injury, but save lives in case of an accident.
• Retain a valid driver’s license. California law requires that electric scooter riders must possess a driver’s license. It is expected that electric scooter riders have current and working knowledge of road rules.
• Do not exceed the speed limit. Most city requirements prohibit e-scooter riders from exceeding speeds greater than 15 mph.

Electric Scooter Accidents

Safety has been a major point of contention with regard to electric 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.

Unfortunately, there is not enough recorded information that details electric scooter injuries in California. However, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation recorded the e-scooter injury rate to be 2.2 accidents per 10,000 miles.

However, Paul Steely, Bird’s Director of Safety Policy and Advocacy addressed safety concerns with this statement: “The reporting of shared e-scooter injury data lacks important context necessary to appreciate the issue of transportation safety — the number of injuries reported this far would amount to less than a fraction of one percent of the total number of e-scooter rides taken worldwide. Driving is much deadlier for everyone, as evidenced by the 6,000 pedestrians killed on U.S roads in 2017. Worldwide, car crashes kill more than one million people each year. And for every person car kills on impact many more lives will be cut short in due part to their devastating impact on our climate.”

Common Electric Scooter Injury Causes  

As with any mode of transportation, there is a certain level of risk that is involved. Injuries due to e-scooter accidents can be caused by:

• Traffic Collisions. Like with other vehicles, electric scooters are more subject to danger when they make a left-hand turn or cross an intersection.
• Pedestrian Collisions. Overcrowded streets often cause electric scooter riders to get distracted and may result in an accident.
• Uneven Pavement or Other Road Hazards. Incorrect signage, road obstructions, and cracked pavement all pose dangers to electric scooter riders.
• Increased Speeds and Other Traffic Law Violations. Scooter riders are required by law to follow traffic regulations including yield/stop signs and hand signals.
• Scooter Malfunction. The mishandling of e-scooters has led to damaged parts and malfunction. Broken pieces, such as breaks and locks, can result in an e-scooter accident.      

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries in Riverside from a scooter accident, a Riverside personal injury attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover compensation for your losses. Recoverable damages include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering.

Contact our 24/7 legal team today by calling 213-927-3700 or emailing info@westcoasttriallawyers.com to schedule a free consultation at our Riverside personal injury law firm.