E-scooters may be a trendy way to zip around town, but their lack of protection leaves riders vulnerable to serious injuries, especially in accidents often caused by reckless driving. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 169,300 emergency department visits were attributed to e-scooters from 2017 to 2022, accounting for nearly 47% of all micro-mobility injuries.
If youโve been injured in a scooter accident in Los Angeles, you donโt have to face this challenging time alone. At Jacoby & Meyers, we are your advocates in the pursuit of accountability. For over 50 years, our experienced Los Angeles scooter accident lawyers have been representing individuals and families, working to pursue a recovery that accounts for the full impact of their injuries.
We understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll an accident can take. Thatโs why weโre here to guide you through every step of the legal process with a combination of deep legal expertise and heartfelt compassion. Your well-being mattersโreach out for a free consultation and let us help you move forward.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers for Your Scooter Accident Case?
Scooter riders are often more vulnerable to injuries as their bodies are more exposed compared to vehicle occupants. Due to this, scooter accident victims face more severe consequences. Add mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll of recovery, and the stakes become overwhelming.
With the significant damages, you should only put your trust in a competent and compassionate attorney for scooter accidents who will not only relentlessly fight for fair compensation but also take care of your overall well-being. We assure you that this is us.
Hereโs why families in Los Angeles choose us over thousands of other personal injury law firms in the area:
Decades of Dedicated Advocacy
With over 50 years of experience, our record of recovery reflects our commitment to our clients. Every settlement or verdict represents a family weโve supported in seeking the resources necessary to move forward after a tragic accident.
No Win, No Fees
Financial worries shouldnโt keep you from seeking justice. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Note: While attorney fees are contingent, clients may remain responsible for certain court costs and litigation expenses advanced by the firm if no recovery is obtained.
California Law Experts, Tailored to Your Case
Understanding and going around Californiaโs complex personal injury laws requires expertiseโand weโve mastered every detail. Our knowledge ensures your case is built on a solid foundation, giving you the best chance at a fair and comprehensive settlement.
Comprehensive Legal Support for Your Peace of Mind
Youโve got enough on your plate without tackling legal hurdles. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, we handle every aspect of your case. All you need to focus on is healing.
Compassionate Advocacy, Every Step of the Way
With clear communication, heartfelt care, and expert legal guidance, weโre here to stand by your side, ensuring you feel supported through every twist and turn of this journey.
The aftermath of a scooter accident can feel overwhelming, but you donโt have to face it alone. Call us today for a free consultation.
What To Do After a Scooter Accident?
After a scooter accident, particularly an electric scooter accident, it’s essential to take specific steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights, especially if you’ve suffered severe injuries.
Here are the immediate actions you should take:
- Seek Medical Attention. Prioritize your health above everything else. Even if you don’t think you have sustained serious injuries, some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Call the Police. It’s important to report the accident to ensure there’s an official record. The police report can also be a valuable piece of evidence if you need to make a personal injury claim.
- Document the Scene and Gather Evidence. If it’s safe and you can do so, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damages to the scooter and surrounding area. Collect contact information from witnesses, as their statements could support your account of the events.
- Contact a Scooter Accident Lawyer. If youโve suffered injuries, consulting with an attorney who focuses on scooter accidents is a prudent step. Our team can provide guidance on the legal process, manage complex negotiations with insurance providers, and help you pursue a recovery that accounts for the scope of your injuries and damages.
The Dangers of Electric Scooters
The rising popularity of electric scooters has led to an increased number of scooter users and, consequently, a higher incidence of accidents involving these devices.
In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 50,000 emergency department visits due to electronic scooter accidents, marking a significant rise from about 40,000 the previous year and approximately 25,000 in 2020. Compared to e-bikes and other micro-mobility products, electric scooters, alongside e-bikes and hoverboards, accounted for over 90,000 emergency visits in 2022โan escalation from the nearly 30,000 trips recorded in 2017.
Demographically, 40% of those injured in e-scooter accidents from 2017 to 2022 were aged between 25 and 44, a statistic particularly concerning since this age group constitutes just 27% of the overall U.S. population. Notably, 94% of the injuries occurred to the riders themselves, highlighting the direct risks faced by scooter riders. Moreover, 41% of these accidents occurred on streets or highways, with another 12% on public properties.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
Despite adhering to traffic safety regulations, scooter riders may still encounter risks. Key factors contributing to an electric scooter accident include:
- Unexpected opening of car doors
- Encounters with construction zones
- Poor road conditions due to damaged pavement
- Risky maneuvers like dangerous left turns
- Limited visibility leading to driver blind spots
- Impairment due to substance use
- Collisions at intersections
- Scooter vandalism
- Loss of control over the scooter
- Interactions with pedestrians
- Technical faults due to mechanical malfunctions
- Lane splitting alongside cars
Types of Scooter Accidents
With the rising popularity of electric scooters in Los Angeles, incidents involving these motorized scooters are on the upswing. Common types of scooter accidents include:
- Single Rider Accidents. Many electric scooter incidents occur when the rider loses control. Not all such incidents are the rider’s fault; for example, hitting an unforeseen road defect could lead to a fall.
- Scooter-Pedestrian Collisions. Collisions between a scooter user and a pedestrian can result in significant injuries. Depending on the situation, either party can be responsible for the accident.
- E-Scooter and Vehicle Crashes. Serious injuries can occur when an electric scooter and a motor vehicle collide. A typical instance is when a motorist opens a car door without checking for an approaching scooter rider.
- Accidents Due to Poor Sidewalk Maintenance. Scooter users can be injured if they ride on sidewalks that are in bad condition. In such cases, the entity responsible for maintaining the sidewalk may be liable for the scooter user’s injuries.
- Defective Scooter Incidents: Many electric scooter accidents are caused by malfunctioning or defective scooters. The scooter manufacturer is often liable for these accidents.
Common E-Scooter Injuries
Sharing the road with motor vehicles exposes electric scooter riders to the risk of high-velocity crashes. The specific injuries can vary based on the accident’s particulars, yet there are several common injuries associated with electric scooter mishaps:
- Abrasions
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
- Contusions
- Concussions
- Head injuries
- Skull fractures
- Upper and lower extremity injuries
According to research, head injuries are the most frequently reported among individuals involved in scooter-related accidents. Approximately 30% of those admitted to emergency departments following electric scooter accidents have been diagnosed with head and neck trauma. Moreover, between 8% and 10% of all scooter accident patients are diagnosed with severe head injuries.
Determining Liability in Scooter Accidents
Proving negligence in a scooter accident claim is a critical step in seeking a recovery that reflects the scope of your losses. In California, negligence is the failure to exercise the level of care a reasonable person would under similar circumstances. Our attorneys focus on building evidence-based claims to establish liability and pursue the resources necessary for your recovery.
In a scooter accident, negligence might include a driver ignoring traffic rules, failing to yield, speeding, or being distracted behind the wheel, leading to a collision.
The Elements of Negligence
To establish negligence in a scooter accident, these elements must be proven:
- Duty of Care: The driver had a responsibility to ensure the safety of others, including scooter riders.
- Breach of Duty: The driver failed to uphold this responsibility by acting recklessly or carelessly.
- Causation: Their negligent behavior directly caused the accident.
- Damages: The accident led to injuries and measurable losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Recovering from a scooter accident is overwhelming, and gathering the evidence needed to build your case can feel impossible when youโre focused on healing. This is where an experienced scooter accident lawyer steps in.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our team manages the legal complexities of your caseโfrom proving negligence and collecting evidence to filing your claim and handling negotiations. We provide the dedicated advocacy needed to pursue a recovery that reflects the scope of your losses, allowing you to prioritize your health and recovery.
Who Can Be Liable?
Identifying who is at fault and understanding their level of responsibility is vital for resolving e-scooter accident claims successfully. Fault assignments can be complex, often involving multiple parties.
- Scooter Operators: If they are under the influence, medically unfit to drive, or inexperienced riders, their negligence can result in accidents.
- City Workers/Construction Teams: Failure to mark dangerous areas or hazards properly can lead to scooter accidents.
- Car Passengers: Carelessly opening doors into scooter paths is a common cause of collisions.
- Pedestrians: Stepping unpredictably into the path of an oncoming scooter contributes to accidents.
- Scooter Companies: A scooter company like Lime and Bird must manage scooters’ retrieval, charging, and maintenance. Neglecting these duties can cause serious accidents.
- City Authorities: They can be held liable for unsafe road conditions that lead to accidents.
- Manufacturers: They are responsible for ensuring the safety of the scooter’s equipment. Faulty parts like brakes can cause accidents.
A skilled e-scooter accident attorney is your advocate in seeking the truth and pursuing accountability. Our team meticulously establishes the other partyโs duty of care, identifies how it was breached, and links those actions to the accident that impacted your life. Beyond establishing causation, we focus on documenting the physical, emotional, and financial toll of your injuries, ensuring your experience is met with a dedicated legal process intended to pursue the recovery your case warrants under the law.
Why Do I Need a Scooter Accident Lawyer?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a scooter accident in Los Angeles, going through the complexities of personal injury law can be overwhelming. Whether it’s dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, or financial strains from medical bills and lost wages, the intricacies require expert legal guidance.
A specialized scooter accident lawyer is indispensable in handling these complexities effectively. Here’s why securing professional legal representation is vital:
Determining the At-Fault Party
In Los Angeles, scooter accidents can involve intricate liability questions. An experienced scooter accident lawyer is indispensable in pinpointing the at-fault party, a task that can be formidable without legal expertise.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often operate with the goal of minimizing claim payouts to protect their financial interests. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer provides the strategic advocacy necessary to navigate these negotiations, working to protect your legal rights and pursue a recovery that reflects the documented scope of your losses.
Collection of Evidence
Amassing the necessary evidence to bolster your legal claims is essential to its triumph. Legal experts can collect and present this evidence thoroughly.
Focus on Recovery
Confronting the aftermath of a scooter accident should not include the added strain of legal proceedings or insurance negotiations. Employing a steadfast scooter accident lawyer allows the victim to concentrate on recovery without the extra stress.
Securing Compensation
In pursuit of recovery for medical expenses, lost earnings, and other documented losses, our attorneys provide the skilled advocacy required to build a comprehensive claim. Their experience in personal injury matters is a vital component of seeking a resolution that reflects the true impact of your injuries.
At Jacoby & Meyers, we understand the complexities of Los Angeles personal injury law, including cases involving scooter accidents. By partnering with us, you gain a dedicated advocate for settlement negotiations and professional legal support throughout your recovery.
Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Scooter Accident Case
Facing mounting medical bills and the overwhelming stress of financial recovery can feel like an uphill battle. In these challenging moments, having a compassionate and relentless legal team by your side is not just importantโitโs life-changing.
Hereโs how Jacoby & Meyers rises above the rest to fight for your justice and peace of mind.
Dedicated Legal Teams
Our team, comprised of experienced personal injury attorneys, case managers, and support staff, ensures attention to every detail of your case, resulting in a powerful and effective legal strategy.
Client-Centric Approach
We communicate clearly and customize our legal strategies to meet the specific demands of your case. Our approach focuses on keeping you informed and involved and adapting our methods to fit your unique situation.
Contingency Fee Representation.
Our goal is to make premium legal services accessible to everyone. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we successfully resolve your claim. (California law requires us to inform you that while legal fees are contingent on a win, court costs may still apply. Contact our Los Angeles office for a full explanation of our fee structure.
Accessible Legal Support
With 14 offices throughout California, including Los Angeles, and a commitment to being readily available, we ensure that you can easily find the support and guidance you need.
Record of RecoveryWith over $2 Billion secured for our clients, Jacoby & Meyers brings decades of experience to high-stakes litigation. While past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, our history reflects the dedicated advocacy we bring to every case.
The figures below represent gross recovery amounts before the deduction of attorney fees and litigation costs.
- Truck Accidents: $17.5 Million secured for victims of commercial vehicle negligence.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Up to $11 Million recovered for a single complex injury case.
- Car Accidents: Settlements ranging from $1.1 Million to $4.5 Million.
- Slip-and-Fall: Property negligence recoveries ranging from $1.9 Million to $3.25 Million.
- Other Personal Injury: We offer free consultations for cases involving dog bites, pedestrian collisions, and other negligence-based injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scooter Accidents
How Much is the Compensation in Scooter Injury Claims?
Compensation in electric scooter cases can vary based on factors like the severity of the injuries and liability determinations. Consulting a personal injury lawyer with experience in these matters is an important step in pursuing a recovery that accounts for the documented scope of your losses.
Overall, you can include three types of damages to your compensation if applicable to your situation:
Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses you can prove through receipts, bills, or other documentation. These may include:
- Repair costs
- Past, current, and anticipated medical expenses
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Loss of financial support
Non-economic damages capture the emotional and psychological toll of an accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress caused by disability or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Punitive damages are additional costs if the court finds the liable partyโs actions as extreme or malicious.
Every accident involves unique circumstances and varying levels of damage. Speaking with an experienced scooter accident attorney is an important step to ensure that the specific facts of your case are thoroughly evaluated. A detailed investigation can help identify all compensable losses, allowing your legal team to pursue a recovery that reflects the documented impact of your injuries.
Is There a Deadline for Scooter Accident Claims?
In California, the deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for scooter accident claims is strict, giving you just two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. This legal deadline is criticalโif you miss it, you may lose your right to pursue compensation forever, no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the other party’s fault.
However, some specific situations can change the allowed timeframe for filing a scooter accident case. For instance, when an accident occurs on government-owned property, you must file your claim within six months, requiring swift action to protect your rights.
Processing the aftermath of the accident while meeting these deadlines can feel overwhelming. Thatโs why having a dedicated legal team is beneficialโtheyโll ensure every deadline is met while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life. Time is of the essence, and the sooner you act, the stronger your case can be.
How to Prevent Scooter Accidents
- Wear helmets to protect against head injuries while operating e-scooters.
- Avoid road hazards that can lead to accidents, such as potholes and debris.
- Use the bike lane to increase visibility and avoid conflicts with vehicular traffic.
- Ensure possession of a valid driver’s license to certify understanding of road rules.
- Be prepared with knowledge of necessary actions post-accident, including contacting personal injury lawyers.
Talk to an Experienced Scooter Accident Lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers
In Los Angeles, where electric scooters are increasingly common, accidents involving motorized scooters can lead to complex legal situations. If you’ve been involved in such an incident, reaching out to experienced scooter accident lawyers is advisable. Our Los Angeles-based law firm specializes in handling cases for both scooter drivers and pedestrians affected by accidents with electric scooters.
We offer a free consultation to understand your case comprehensively and provide clear guidance on how to proceed with your injury claim. Give us a call today at 800-500-000 to get started, or fill out this free case evaluation form.
This article was written in collaboration with experienced personal injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers.
Map to Jacoby & Meyers Los Angeles Law Office
Directory
Here are essential personal injury resources in Los Angeles, CA, that can help you in case of accident emergencies:
Emergency Rooms
- General Medical Center Emergency Room – 1200 N State St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
- Dignity Health– 1401 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Urgent Care Centers
- RapidDoc Urgent Care– 5600 Wilshire Blvd Suite A, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Vermont Urgent Care & Multi-Specialty Center – 1435 Vermont Ave #100, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Local Courthouses
- Airport Courthouse – 11701 S. La Cienega Los Angeles, CA 90045
- Central Arraignment Courthouse – 429 Bauchet St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Disclaimer โ We do not endorse these companies or profit from listing them on our website.
Michael Akiva is Managing Partner of Pre-Litigation of Jacoby & Meyers. Having started his career as an attorney at Latham & Watkins LLP, a prestigious, global corporate law firm, Michael quickly realized that representing big corporations was not for him. After leaving the firm, Michael dedicated himself to fighting for the rights of the injured. Education J.D. UCLA School of Law, Editor, UCLA Law Review B.S., Finance, University of Southern California, Magna cum laude