Irvine Scooter Accident Attorney

Get Legal Insight From Our Expert Irvine Scooter Accident Attorneys on California’s Scooter Laws

An e-scooter is much different than an old fashioned scooter. Let’s clarify the difference first. E-scooters are not propelled by a rider’s momentum, but by an electric motor. E-scooters can easily travel up to 15 miles per hour, and, therefore, have the potential to cause injuries and property damage due to their increased speeds if a rider is not careful.

It is precisely because of their speed, ease of use, and low cost, that e-scooters have become very popular throughout the Irvine area, especially on college campuses. E-scooter riders can quickly rent an e-scooter with a smartphone app for as little as a dollar, plus mileage. Then, once the e-scooter arrives at their destination, they can just leave the scooter anywhere on the street for the next person to use. There are very few rules and laws regulating the safe usage of e-scooters, which is another serious problem with these devices. Determining liability for this type of accident can be very challenging.

If you have suffered injuries as a result of an e-scooter accident in the city of Irvine due to someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your losses. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced Irvine e-scooter accident attorneys are readily available to help you with your case. We have won over 5,000 personal injury cases and recovered more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients. Due to our achievements, we have been recognized as one of the top personal injury law firms in Irvine.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (949) 207-9619 or feel free to email us at [email protected] to schedule a free consultation at our Irvine personal injury law firm.

E-Scooter Laws in California

It makes more sense to say that there are very few specific e-scooter laws. However, the California state assembly passed a bill in 2018 to add clarity regarding the legality of scooter usage. This bill offers individual cities the opportunity to pass laws that make sense for their communities. However, there are a few regulations that are now set in place.

According to California law, e-scooters are legal. However, scooter riders are required to:

• Have any type of class driver license.
• Ride on bicycle paths, trails, and bikeways.
• Not ride on the sidewalk.
• Not exceed 15 mph.
• Own a motorized scooter that has two wheels, handlebars, a motor, and a floorboard that will allow you to stand on it while you are riding.

Types of E-Scooter Accidents and Liability

A single e-scooter accident can occur when a rider simply loses control, or even when poor road conditions contribute towards an accident. If hazardous road conditions cause an e-scooter rider to lose control, he or she may have a claim against the city of Irvine.

E-scooter accidents caused by a motorist are much more serious. The e-scooter rider could be left in critical condition after enduring forceful impact with a vehicle. If you were hurt by a driver, you must be able to prove that the driver’s negligence was the reason for your injuries.

It is also important to understand scooter user agreements and liability. An e-scooter user agreement can be used to determine liability in an e-scooter accident. All e-scooter users must sign an agreement, and these agreements are legally binding.

Unsurprisingly, an e-scooter agreement limits a company’s liability after an accident. For example, consider Lime’s user agreement, which:

• Requires riders to follow traffic laws, but doesn’t specify which laws or how to follow them.
• Forces riders to claim enough competency and physical fitness to ride an e-scooter.
• Requires riders to perform extensive safety inspections before going for a ride, and worse, disclaims liability for defective e-scooters.

Once liability has been determined, an e-scooter accident victim may be entitled to receive compensatory damages that any other type of personal injury claim will qualify for, such as emotional distress, medical bills, property loss, lost wages, and more.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Always Here to Help

If you have suffered injuries after an e-scooter accident in the city of Irvine due to negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. An Irvine e-scooter accident attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover compensation for your losses.

Call us today at (949) 207-9619 or email [email protected] to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.