California Scooter Accident Lawyers

Electric scooters are a common sight throughout the streets in many California cities. People welcome the idea of using this inexpensive mode of travel to go short distances. Some people, such as tourists, use them to explore somewhere new. While they might be practical and fun, electric scooters can also be dangerous. Injury accidents are rising across the state. You have legal rights if you suffer injury in an accident involving a scooter. Contact the California scooter accident lawyers at Silva Injury Law to learn more.

Common Injuries From Scooter Accidents

Scooter accidents are undoubtedly a problem when some cities’ injury rates for e-scooters exceed the national average for motorcycle injuries. In San Francisco, scooter collisions rose 58% in 2021, more than any year since 2017, when companies started putting these e-scooters on California streets.

People might say that e-scooters don’t cause severe injuries because of their low speeds. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Like bicyclists and pedestrians, riders on e-scooters have very little protection in the event of a collision. While fatalities are rare, they do happen. Here is a look at some of the most common injuries from scooter accidents in California.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Scooter accidents can damage your soft tissues—your non-bony structures such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Insurance companies will argue that soft tissue injuries don’t have much value, which is why you need a California electric scooter accident lawyer to represent you. The reality is that soft tissue injuries can be excruciating and cause a victim to lose significant time from work.

Broken Bones

Falling can result in one or more broken bones. Some breaks are minor and might heal on their own. It’s more common for the victim to remain in a cast for several weeks while the bone heals. Complications are possible with a broken bone, resulting in the need for more serious treatment.

Head Injuries

People operating electric scooters typically do not wear any protective headgear. California recently enacted a law allowing riders over 18 years old to forgo wearing helmets. If someone in a vehicle strikes a scooter, there’s a good chance the victim will hit their head on the car or the ground. This impact can result in a concussion or severe traumatic brain injury.

Common Scooter Accidents

Scooter accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Isolated crashes involving a road hazard or scooter malfunction are common. These road hazards can be anything from potholes to uplifted tree roots on the sidewalk.

Some cities have ordinances on riding on the sidewalk versus the street. Despite that, many scooter riders do as they please, increasing the risk of accidents. Inexperienced riders can strike pedestrians and bicyclists on the sidewalk or street. Many renters aren’t familiar with operating an electric scooter and accidentally steer into traffic or try to pass someone too closely.

Distracted drivers might miss seeing a scooter on the road or crossing the street. Other potential causes of scooter accidents include:

  • Failure to yield the right of way,
  • Speeding,
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
  • Running a red light or stop sign, and
  • Crossing out of the crosswalk or against the light.

If you were involved in an e-scooter accident that you believe to be the other party’s fault, contact the California scooter accident attorneys at Silva Injury Law.

Who Is Liable For A Scooter Accident In California?

Determining who is liable for a scooter accident requires a thorough investigation. The responsible parties depend on the circumstances of the accident. In some situations, the scooter rider might be at fault, while it might be another party in other accidents. It’s common to have two or more parties partially responsible for e-scooter accidents.

California is a pure comparative negligence state. That’s important because comparative negligence can impact your case and how much compensation you’re entitled to receive. It means you can still receive a partial settlement for your injuries even when you’re primarily at fault. However, your percentage of fault reduces how much you’ll receive. For example, if you’re 15% at fault, your maximum compensation would be 85% of your damages.

What’s important in determining liability is proving the four elements of negligence against the defendants. The elements of negligence are:

  • The defendant owed you a duty of care;
  • The defendant breached their duty of care;
  • The breach of duty is what caused your injuries; and
  • You have damages.

Failure to prove even one of these could mean you won’t receive any compensation for your injuries. That’s why hiring an experienced California electric scooter attorney is so important.

How Our California Scooter Accident Lawyers Can Help You

You might wonder why you should hire a lawyer if the law doesn’t require you to. We recommend hiring a lawyer for a scooter accident because there are typically one or more complex legal topics that need addressing. Consulting an attorney early on after an accident is essential. You need a legal advocate to protect your rights. That will also keep you from inadvertently saying something to the defendant’s insurance company that could harm your case.

When you hire Silva Injury Law as your California scooter accident attorneys, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation. We will preserve important evidence and help build a solid case for negligence against the other parties. Your lawyer will also handle all communication with the defendants’ insurance companies and their lawyers. That means we’ll also negotiate a potential settlement on your behalf. You don’t need to worry about going up against the insurance adjuster yourself.

If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate a reasonable settlement, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf. We have the skills and resources to take your case to trial if necessary.

PROMOTING HEALING THROUGH
COMPASSIONATE ADVOCACY
We believe that our duty goes beyond achieving large monetary awards for our clients. We strive first to be decent human beings who seek not to stir up fights, but to solve problems.
AS A PEACEMAKER, THE LAWYER HAS A SUPERIOR OPPORTUNITY OF BEING A GOOD MAN. THERE WILL STILL BE ENOUGH BUSINESS.
– Abraham Lincoln

CONTACT SILVA INJURY LAW TODAY

When you need a California scooter accident lawyer to represent you, Silva Injury Law stands ready to help. We have been aiding injured victims of e-scooter accidents for years. We understand the nuances of these claims and how best to build a solid case. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation. Let us help you fight for the compensation you’re owed in a California scooter accident.

Our highly-skilled legal team also handles other cases, such as: