Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers represents electric scooter accident victims. Call our electric scooter accident lawyers today for a free consultation if you or a loved one was injured or killed in in electric scooter accident.
Our personal injury law firm has been representing those injured in scooter accidents and other accidents since 1990, having recovered over $750,000,000 for clients. Our vast experience in handling accident claims like yours will allow us to recover the most compensation possible when we handle your personal injury claim.
If you have suffered an electric scooter accident injury and can’t afford treatment, we can get you to doctors who will treat you on a lien. What this means is that the doctors will not charge you a fee to treat you until your case is over. Doctors do this for our clients because they know we get great results for injury victims.
We will handle your scooter accident claim on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not be charged any fee until and unless we recover compensation for you.
Call an experienced scooter accident lawyer at our firm today for a free consultation, text us from this page or fill out this page’s free case evaluation form if you or a loved one was injured or killed in an electric scooter accident. We can help you recover compensation for the injuries you sustained in your electric scooter accident, help you to navigate the legal system, help you to understand your legal rights and what you can expect after your accident, and manage your medical care. Call us today.
What Is an Electric Scooter?
Electric scooters (e-scooters) are battery-powered two-wheeled vehicles designed for a single person. They typically feature a motor, rechargeable battery, and a throttle, so riders can travel without needing to push with their legs. They typically have a lightweight frame and a foldable design. Many cities regulate the use of e-scooters, with laws regarding speed limits, helmet requirements and road access.
Electric scooter definition:
- A motorized scooter which is designed for a single person
- Is steered with a handlebar and has a footboard located between its wheels
- Can be powered either by electric motor or by riders pushing one foot off the ground
- Is classified as a motor vehicle and is regulated by vehicle laws
Features:
- Electric scooters often feature large center decks that riders can stand on
- They may be recharged by plugging the scooters into wall outlets
- Some electric scooters feature maximum speeds of around 15 to 20 miles per hour
California has several popular providers of e-scooters, including:
- Lime: This provider operates in numerous California cities. The provider has bright green scooters and you can rent them with the Lime app.
- Spin: This provider belongs to the Ford Mobility group. It offers e-scooters in numerous cities in California. You can use the Spin app to rent their orange scooters.
- Bird: Bird has a significant presence in the state of California and is quite prominent. They have black scooters which have white accents. You can rent them with the Bird app.
- Razor: Razor is a company famous for kick scooters. They also operate electric scooters in some cities in California. You can rent their scooters with the Razor Share app.
- Lyft: While Lyft is primarily known as a ridesharing company, they also provide electric scooter rentals in some cities in California. Their scooters are pink-accented and can be rented with the Lyft app.
- Skip: Skip offers e-scooter rentals in California through the Skip app.
Regardless of which brand you use, however, there is an inherent risk to getting in a scooter accident. This is why it’s important to adhere to safety regulations when you ride.
The Risk of Electric Scooter Accidents in California
Electric scooter crashes can be sudden and complex – especially car accidents involving electric scooters. Factors such as faulty scooters, distracted pedestrians and road conditions can play roles. They can lead to serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury.
Some stats that illuminate the dangers of scooter accidents include:
- 37% of e-scooter-related emergency department visits were from rental scooters like Bird, Lime, etc.
- From 2017 to 2022, there were approximately 170,000 emergency department visits as a result of e-scooter accidents in the U.S.
- From 2017 to 2022, there were 111 recorded e-scooter fatalities in the U.S.
There are many risks associated with renting scooters, including:
Not Enough Rider Training
A big issue with renting e-scooters is that it’s common for riders not to be required to demonstrate riding proficiency prior to renting the scooters. Unlike motorcycles or mopeds, anyone who has a smartphone can rent e-scooters, even if they have no experience using them. This may lead to riders losing control of vehicles and getting into accidents, putting others and themselves in danger. This also plays a role in accidents involving drunk riding.
The Safety Equipment Isn’t Adequate
Riders of e-scooters are often not provided with basic safety equipment such as helmets. Some e-scooter companies who offer rentals do offer helmets at an additional cost. Users, however, do not need to use them. Many users choose not to use them. This significantly increases their risk of severe injury if they crash or fall. E-scooters have a high center of gravity, and are relatively unstable compared to bicycles, so this is concerning.
Poor Road Conditions
People typically operate electric scooters on sidewalks, bike lanes and city streets. These often have hazards like cracks and potholes. A study found that about one quarter of Los Angeles scooter accidents are the result of imperfections in roads. Poor conditions may lead to riders losing control of vehicles, leading to collisions and falls. Electric scooters often share roads with buses, trucks and cars, putting their riders at risk of getting struck by less maneuverable, larger vehicles.
Lack of Oversight and Maintenance
Those who offer electric scooter rentals have a responsibility to maintain vehicles. However, there are so many e-scooters in circulation that it’s hard to keep up with repairs and inspections. This may lead to mechanical failures like loose handlebars or faulty brakes, leading to accidents. In addition, lack of oversight sometimes occurs regarding making sure that riders use scooters responsibly and safely.
Intoxicated Riding
It can be dangerous to operate e-scooters while drunk or on drugs. However, some people view electric scooters as safer than driving vehicles, so they end up riding them impaired. Impairment can impair the reaction time, judgment and coordination of riders, leading to accidents and injuries.
Electric Scooter Laws in California
There are specific laws regarding electric scooters in California.
Riders don’t have to display license plates, be insured or registered, or have special licenses to drive scooters.
Scooter registration can be regulated by local authorities in California, though. These authorities can also come up with rules regarding the parking and operation of scooters in their jurisdiction.
There are specific rules regarding electric scooter operation in California’s vehicle code. For one, the scooters can’t be driven on sidewalks. This increases pedestrian safety. It also, however, puts riders at risk since they’re forced to drive on bike paths, bikeways, trails, highways or streets.
Under California law, people can’t ride e-scooters:
- Without helmets while under 18 years old
- Without valid instruction permits or driver’s licenses
- Which aren’t equipped with brakes which can let it stop on dry, clean pavement
- While carrying things which prevent them from maintaining one hand on the handlebars
- With passengers
- On highways with handlebars raised so arms need to be above the shoulders
- While drunk or on drugs
- On highways where the speed limit is over 25 miles per hour – there are exceptions for bike lanes as well as protected bikeways, plus areas where travel on highways with speeds up to 35 miles per hour is permitted by local ordinances
- Over 15 miles per hour
Who Is Liable in an E-Scooter Accident?
Injured e-scooter operators may qualify for recovery for damages if they can prove that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. To prove this, you need to establish damages, a duty of care, a breach of that duty and causation regarding the accident.
A lawyer at our firm can help you prove these things and build a solid case for you.
A liable party in an e-scooter accident can be:
- A driver: A driver could be held liable if they behave negligently or recklessly, causing a collision.
- A scooter company: Scooter companies like Lime or Bird may absorb liability when accidents are caused by dangerous or defective scooters, or broken state regulations.
- A product manufacturer: Scooter manufacturers may be held liable if they produce parts with dangerous defects which cause accidents.
Some cases involve numerous parties sharing fault. It may require the assistance of an attorney to determine liable parties and file personal injury lawsuits in California. People can be held liable for damages if they break e-scooter laws, breach their duty of care, or act with wanton disregard for the safety of others.
Bird Scooter’s Legal Woes And Scooter Accidents
Bird scooters are not without their issues. Many people have been injured by these scooters. Some have suffered broken bones and concussions. One person had a Bird scooter thrown at his car, breaking a window and causing hundreds of dollars in damage. Bird, however, claims no responsibility for these accidents, and victims are angry.
Cities are fed up with the company’s lack of responsibility. The city of Santa Monica sued Bird, claiming that it owes $6,000 in fines and has been illegally operating without proper permits. Bird settled with the city for $300,000 and was forced to run a safety campaign.
Compensation Available in an Electric Scooter Accident Lawsuit
Those injured in Bird e-scooter accidents are entitled to financial compensation for their injuries under California law if the accident was the result of someone else’s negligence. If you are a scooter rider who has been injured, and maybe even suffered a serious injury, you may qualify for financial compensation for:
Medical Bills
Those who are injured in accidents involving e-scooters often end up owing a lot of money in medical bills. Injured scooter riders can even require additional medical treatments in the future which generate even more bills. If you have been injured in an e-scooter crash, we can help you recover compensation for all past and future medical expenses related to your accident.
Lost Wages
Electric scooter risks include the risk of injury. You may get injured so badly you’re unable to work for a while. You might also get injured bad enough to have to take time off from work to attend medical appointments. An e-scooter accident lawyer at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for any lost wages connected to your accident.
Loss Of Earning Capacity
One type of compensation common in personal injury cases is loss of earning capacity. This means that if you are no longer able to work after your accident, or you’re unable to do the job you used to, our law firm can help you recover compensation for any loss or reduction of your earning capacity.
Pain And Suffering
Scooter-related injuries, such as serious head injuries and back injuries, can cause accident victims to experience physical pain and mental suffering. We can help you recover compensation for any pain and suffering related to your accident.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one to a Bird scooter accident, we are sorry for your loss. A personal injury lawyer at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for your loved one’s funeral bills, burial bills, medical bills, pain and suffering. A personal injury attorney at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can also help you recover compensation for the loss of your loved one’s love, companionship, household services and income.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
Common causes of e-scooter accidents include:
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is a big hazard for all users of the road. When drivers operate motor vehicles while not paying attention, they can cause e-scooter accidents.
Smartphone Use
The most dangerous form of distracted driving is driving while operating a smartphone. This distracts drivers cognitively, manually and visually. Drivers put e-scooter users, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists at risk by using smartphones while they drive.
Dangerous Driving
Failure to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm is negligence. There are many ways drivers can be negligent, including:
- Violating laws
- Speeding
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Driving under the influence
- Making left turns which are illegal
- Failing to yield the right of way to scooters
- Passing or following too closely
- Making lane changes unsafely
- Driving aggressively or recklessly
Bad Road Conditions
Scooters are vulnerable to hazards like potholes, debris, uneven road surfaces and cracks. Governments are responsible for maintaining roads. When e-scooter accidents are caused by poor roadway conditions, victims may hold governments liable.
E-Scooter Malfunctions and Defects
Accidents can be caused by software or product defects. Software issues, for example, can lead to scooters coming to abrupt stops without warning.
Accidents can be caused by damaged handlebars, bad brakes, flat tires or motor issues. When this occurs, manufacturers may be held liable for defective vehicles.
What to Do After an E-Scooter Accident in California
If you have been in an e-scooter accident:
- Get to safety: This is your top priority.
- Seek medical attention: Do this even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for months after the accident. It’s vital to have any hidden injuries documented as soon as possible if you want to be able to recover compensation for them.
- Document the scene: Take pictures of the scene and write down your version of the events as soon as you can.
- Exchange contact information: Get the contact information of any drivers involved as well as any witnesses. Keep conversation to the bare minimum necessary to get this information since you don’t want to incriminate yourself.
- Contact a lawyer: Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one was injured in an e-scooter accident so we can help maximize your financial compensation.
How Much Does It Cost For Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers To Represent Me?
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers do not charge those injured in accidents involving motorized scooters until and unless we recover financial compensation for them. This means that you will never owe us any out-of-pocket money. If we don’t recover any money to compensate you for your e-scooter injuries, we simply won’t charge you any fee.
Contact an Electric Scooter Accident Attorney Now
Call an experienced personal injury attorney at our firm today for a free consultation if you or a loved one was injured or killed in an electric scooter accident. We can:
- Help you to determine who is liable for any damages you have suffered
- Collect evidence for you
- Help you identify any and all insurance policies which are applicable
- Assess your claim, the viability of any lawsuit, and estimate the value of your case
- Help you to maximize the financial compensation you’re eligible for
- Help you to manage your medical care
- Help you to avoid giving statements which might hurt your case
- Help you to interpret complex laws
- Negotiate with insurance companies for you
- If necessary, represent you in court
We will protect your rights, help you to pursue damages from any at-fault parties, and make sure you recover the most compensation possible. We can handle every aspect of the legal process for you so all you need to do is focus on recovering from your scooter accident injuries. Best of all, we don’t charge any fee until and unless we obtain a recovery.
Don’t hesitate to call us – there is a two year time limit in California to file a lawsuit after a scooter accident, but there are also exceptions which can shorten this time limit. Call us today for a free case evaluation.
