What Happens if I Have an Accident with an Electric Scooter?

Electric scooters are a popular way to get around cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. These vehicles are convenient and speedy. These same qualities cause many electric scooter accidents. Anyone with a valid credit card can jump aboard an electric scooter. Furthermore, these powerful vehicles are difficult to control, especially for beginners. So, people should  understand their rights, responsibilities, and the steps they should take in the wake of an electric scooter accident.

A San Marcos personal injury lawyer is a vital part of the process. In a perfect world, at-fault parties would admit responsibility and pay compensation for the mistakes they made. But we don’t live in a perfect world. So, unless electric scooter accident victims partner with a San Marcos personal injury lawyer, their chances of receiving fair compensation are slim to none. The average attorney-negotiated settlement is about five times higher than the average non-attorney-negotiated injury settlement.

Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents

Electric scooter accidents don’t happen for no reason. Determining the cause of the accident is usually the first step on the road toward maximum compensation. Common electric scooter accident causes include:

• Distracted drivers not noticing scooter riders,
• Poor road conditions, such as potholes or debris,
• Speeding vehicles sharing the road with scooters, and
• Malfunctioning scooters or mechanical failures.

In one way or another, electric scooter riders sometimes contribute to these accidents, often by riding carelessly or without taking proper safety precautions. The possibility of joint responsibility makes these cases especially complex, particularly in California.

California Electric Scooter Laws

Many careless riders don’t follow the law. Electric scooters are regulated under California Vehicle Code Section 21235. Some key rules include:

• Riders must have a valid drivers’ license or instruction permit,
• Scooters cannot exceed 15 mph,
• Riding on sidewalks is generally prohibited, and
• Riders must follow the same traffic laws as cyclists.

Responsible riders make the streets safer for everyone. Conversely, breaking these rules could affect legal responsibility for an electric scooter accident.

What to Do Immediately After a Scooter Accident

If you are involved in an electric scooter accident in California, taking the right steps helps protect your health and your legal rights.

• Seek Medical Attention: Many electric scooter accident victims don’t “feel” hurt. Nevertheless, all victims should see doctors. Only a doctor can tell for sure how badly you are or are not hurt.
• Call the Police: Do not assume that someone else will call 9-1-1. Instead, take the bull by the horns and make the call yourself. However, be careful what you tell emergency responders, both over the phone and at the scene.
• Gather Evidence: Photos of the scene, injuries, and vehicle damage gives an attorney a head start on a subsequent investigation. This head start is important because the victim/plaintiff has the burden of proof in court.

Don’t forget to exchange information with drivers, witnesses, or other parties involved, and report the incident to the scooter company if you were using a rental service such as Bird or Lime.

Who is Liable in an Electric Scooter Accident?

Liability (legal responsibility) in a scooter accident depends on the circumstances. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• A negligent driver who hit the scooter rider,
• The scooter rider, if s/he violated a traffic law,
• The scooter company, if the scooter malfunctioned, or
• A city or municipality, if dangerous road conditions substantially caused the accident.

California is a pure comparative negligence state. Multiple parties can share fault for an accident. For example, if a rider was partially responsible, the court may reduce compensation according to the percentage of fault.

Connect With a Hard-Working San Diego County Lawyer

Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Marcos, contact the Pursley Law Firm. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.