Electric scooters have quickly proliferated across California. Companies such as Lyft, Lime, and Bird have placed scooters in Santa Clarita and other cities for people to rent as a quicker way to get around. Many tourists use scooters as if they are toys, leading sidewalks to be overrun with electric scooters. As electric scooters have become more common, serious injury and fatality accidents have occurred. If you are seriously injured in an electric scooter accident, you might benefit from consulting with an electric scooter accident lawyer Santa Clarita at the Valley Accident Lawyers. We have extensive experience handling all types of injury claims, and we can advise you of the rights that might be available to you.
Electric scooter accident dangers
According to a report in Business Insider, more than 1,500 people in the U.S. were injured or killed in electric scooter accidents in 2018. As of June 3, 2019, eight deaths have been caused by scooter accidents. Because of the injuries and deaths, some cities are reportedly considering bans on electric scooters.
When people use electric scooters, they often do not know how to use them. The scooters can travel at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. People may face a variety of risks when they use electric scooters, including the following:
- Lack of visibility to drivers can lead to accidents
- Lack of barriers between the riders and the roads
- Helmets not provided by scooter companies
- Road debris or defects
- Instability of the scooters
- Lack of experience
- Hard braking throwing the rider
- Risky behavior on scooters
- Vandalism of scooters such as cut brake cables
Types of accidents on electric scooters
Scooter accidents can occur in many different ways. Some of the most common causes of scooter accidents include the following:
- Malfunctioning brakes, throttle, handlebar system, or electrical system
- Tire problems
- Road hazards
- Attacks from unleashed dogs
- Pedestrians struck by scooters
- Trips and falls over scooters left laying on the sidewalk
- Scooters hit by swerving, backing, or turning vehicles
- Dooring accidents
- Swerving to avoid a scooter causing a car accident with another car
Sources of compensation in a scooter accident
People who suffer injuries may have legal grounds to seek the recovery of compensation in some situations. An experienced electric scooter accident lawyer Santa Clarita at the Valley Accident Lawyers can evaluate your potential claim to make a liability determination. While motorists must carry liability insurance on their vehicles, electric scooter riders are not required to carry insurance. In an accident with a scooter rider who was using a Bird, Lyft, or Lime scooter, the party that might be liable to pay compensation will depend on who was at fault.
Riders who strike and injure others may be liable to pay damages to the injured victims. If the scooter rider has homeowner’s insurance, it may be a source of recovery. However, if the rider did not have insurance, recovering damages may be difficult.
If a scooter malfunction or defective part causes the accident, the scooter company may be at fault. However, e-scooter companies have user agreements that purport to release the companies from liability.
When a motorist is at fault in an accident with a scooter, the motorist’s insurance company may be responsible for paying damages to the injured rider. Pedestrians who cause scooter accidents by stepping into the path of a rider might be liable. If the pedestrians have renters’ or homeowners’ insurance, the insurance companies might pay.
Businesses might be liable if they have created hazards with debris, construction materials, gravel, or poorly maintained parking lots. In these cases, the business’s liability insurance might pay.
The city might be at fault in cases in which road defects cause scooter rider injuries. Finally, if an unleashed dog attacks a scooter rider, the dog’s owner will be liable to pay damages.
Why you should retain an attorney
As a new mode of transportation, e-scooter accidents may involve unsettled legal issues. An experienced attorney who is experienced in handling these types of claims may understand the complexities of e-scooter accident claims. Contact the Valley Accident Lawyers for a free case evaluation by calling us at 818-565-6600.
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