scooter accidents

Who is Responsible in an Electric Scooter Accident?

October 17, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Even though electric scooters (e-scooters), such as Bird, Lime, Jump, and Spin are still relatively new to urban streets, there have already been thousands of e-scooter accidents all across the country. You should always abide by California laws and practice safety while on the road, but sometimes accidents are unavoidable. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, whether as the rider or as a pedestrian, you may be wondering who is responsible for your injuries. That depends on who was at fault in the accident. The scenarios below outline some of the most common forms of e-scooter accidents and who is at fault and responsible in each scenario.

Who is Responsible in an Electric Scooter Accident?

Rider

Most Common Types of Electric Scooter Accidents in California

October 12, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

With the recent boom in electric scooter shares like Bird, Lime, Spin, and Jump in California comes a parallel boom in scooter accidents. E-scooter accidents can involve two scooters, a scooter and a pedestrian, or a scooter and a car. Whether you are riding an electric scooter or walking on the street, it is important to use extra caution and abide by California laws in order to avoid accidents. We have compiled a list of the most common types of electric scooter accidents in California, so you can take extra precautions to try to avoid becoming the next victim.

Scooter Malfunction

The most common cause of e-scooter accidents is scooter malfunction. With the huge number of riders daily, it is impossible for scooter share companies to inspect each scooter after each use. It is even questionable whether scooter companies that claim to inspect their scooters daily in fact do so. For example, the scooter share company Bird has stated in emails to customers that they perform no preventative work on the scooters and rely on customers to bring complaints about any scooter malfunction. This directly contradicts their public statements of daily inspecting each Bird scooter. Scooter malfunction can include brake failures, electric motor issues, handlebar collapses, flat tires, and much more.

Electric Scooter Laws in California

October 5, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

In the wake of an e-scooter fatality in Texas immediately following California’s loosening of electric scooter (e-scooter) laws, one has to wonder whether safety precautions can be taken by individuals regardless of what the law requires. Despite California’s new laws removing the requirement to wear a helmet while riding an e-scooter, California residents are well advised to stick to the following safety tips while riding an e-scooter in order to avoid accidents. If you have been involved in an accident in the Santa Rosa or San Francisco area, however, make sure to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately so that you can obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Always be Alert

While sharing the road with cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, the most important safety precaution you can take is to stay alert. There are many ways you can stay alert while riding on an e-scooter, including the following:

Stay Safe on E-Scooters With These Four Tips

July 6, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

The newest wave of ride sharing comes not in the form of cars or bicycles but rather in electric scooters. Dockless e-scooter companies like Bird, LimeBike, Jump, and others have found their homes in California and are expanding all across the country. With the advent of this entertaining and convenient form of transportation, however, comes a new wave of potentially dangerous activity and injury. Learn how to stay safe while riding these e-scooters by recognizing common causes of e-scooter injuries and by following the tips listed below.

Read the Instruction Manual

If you purchase an e-scooter for personal use, make sure you read the instruction manual before attempting to operate the scooter. Many e-scooter injuries occur because users do not know how to use the scooter properly.