Electric scooters (also known as e-scooters) are becoming popular. They’re great options for people seeking short-distance commutes to meet their local transportation needs. For years they have been growing in popularity, and according to Business Insider, they are even favored over docked bicycles.
Unfortunately, they have not escaped their fair share of problems. With growing fleets, more scooter users, and congested California traffic, scooter accidents and even deaths have resulted from their use. In 2019 a 53-year old San Diego man died after losing control of an electric scooter and hitting a tree. The victim failed to recover from serious head injuries sustained in the scooter accident. Subsequently, a 41-year old man from Santa Monica died when he fell off an electric scooter and was hit by a car. There are many more terrible incidents like this. There were also scenarios where people involved in scooter accidents were left with catastrophic injuries, such as broken bones, brain injuries, and more.
Why do You Need a California E-Scooter Accident Lawyer?
Filing an e-scooter accident claim and going up against an insurance company in California can be extremely difficult for the injured person. Not only do many e-scooter accident victims have to deal with pain, medical treatment, and loss wages, but probing liability on another party in of itself can be complicated and require an experienced California scooter accident lawyer that knows your rights, and can get you the maximum settlement you deserve. Our legal team at Jacoby and Meyers can handle the complexities that coincide with any case, and work on your behalf to prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you through settlement negotiations.
What are Some Common Causes of Scooter Accidents in California?
At the beginning of 2019, over 85,000 e-scooters were being used by the public in roughly 100 cities with California having a significant number. With beach cities boasting year-around ideal weather like Santa Monica, San Diego, and other cities throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, e-scooters also became very popular, and consequently scooter accident lawyers stay busy representing their clients in legal claims. Some of the most common causes of e-scooter accidents include:
- Inexperienced riders
- Unsafe road conditions
- Damaged pavement
- Scooter vandalism
- Mechanical malfunctions
- Scooter operators under the influence of a substance
- Car doors opening
- Other negligent scooter operators
- Negligent car drivers
- Pedestrians
- Work crews / construction
Scooter companies like Lime, Bird, and other brands are responsible for collecting discarded scooters, charging them, and ensuring their repair and maintenance. Failure to do so can lead to a number of scooter accidents that can cause serious injury or death.
In other instances a negligent scooter user could be intoxicated or not fit to operate a scooter (having a medical disability). Also, he may simply be negligent and strike another scooter user.
In other cases, city employees or construction screws can fail to rope-off repair areas or post warning signs. Also, car passengers can open their door into a bike lane striking a scooter. Pedestrians can also run into the path of an oncoming scooter. Regardless of the cause for the scooter accident injury, having a personal injury lawyer from Jacoby and Meyers will help. They can help you understand your rights, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve without any manipulation impacting your settlement by an insurance company.
What Should I do After a Scooter Accident?
The first thing you should do after a scooter accident is to seek immediate medical attention. If your injuries are severe, also call emergency services for an ambulance. When you call for an ambulance also request a police officer to take a report. In the meantime, look to see if there were any witnesses, and get their information. Take pictures of the accident, the general area, and get the other party’s contact information.
Los Angeles Scooter Accident News
Bird, Uber and Electric Scooters: The New Day and Age of Transportation and Liability
With Bird electric scooters and the new Uber scooters one can easily rent for the day or hour. You can easily find them on the sidewalk or any random place. This prevalence also creates new liability and causes for concern. Just as ride-sharing applications like Lyft and Uber created a tidal wave of liability for drivers of automobiles and Uber/Lyft, electric scooters are the new hot commodity.
Young teenagers and children can easily hop on and hop off an electric scooter, cross a busy intersection or speed through a stop sign. Accidents can and do occur because of it. If you or a loved one was riding an electric scooter and was involved in a personal injury accident or crash that was not your fault, you can pursue a legal claim against the wrongdoing or negligent third party. Also, differing injuries in the accident can entitle you to a legal claim for your medical treatment, pain and suffering, and loss of income. If the serious injury resulted that permanently changed your life, your spouse may have a loss of consortium claim in connection with your case.
At Jacoby & Meyers- we have done it all and seen it all. Contact our legal team today to discuss your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin to work on your case. Begin your medical recovery and get treatment, obtain facts, police reports and speak to witnesses, and much much more.
Determining E-Scooter Liability
In order for an injured person involved in an e-scooter accident to file a claim and win a fair settlement, you must determine and prove fault as well as to what extent (percentage of fault). This is the first thing your scooter accident lawyer from Jacoby and Meyers will examine.
Determining who was at fault in an e-scooter accident can be very challenging. Jacoby and Meyers has nearly 50 years of experience in protecting the rights of victims in personal injury cases. Ever since e-scooters have been available to the public, we have been defending the legal rights of riders.
You can likely hold negligent scooter drivers liable in court. Also, unsafe road conditions can be the fault of the city. If the scooter’s brakes malfunction, the manufacturer could then be liable.
A Jacoby and Meyers scooter accident lawyer can help you prove that someone else’s negligence caused or led to the accident. Likewise, the burden of proof requires a personal injury attorney to establish the defendant’s duty of care, breach of duty, causation for the catastrophe, and damages related to the disaster. Your scooter accident lawyer will work with legal experts to establish the burden of proof and build a strong case. Whoever the liable party is, Jacoby and Meyers will establish your case. Our team will prove where the fault resides and help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
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