E Scooter Accident Lawyers in Pasadena, California

Seeking Compensation on Your Behalf

If you’re looking for a way to get around without using a car, taking an E-scooter seems like a convenient option. While E-scooters may be a cost-effective way to commute, they can also lead to devastating accidents and severe injuries on the road. Scooters have the potential to collide with cars, pedestrians, and even other scooters. If you’ve been injured in an E-scooter or E-bike accident, you deserve to seek compensation for what you’ve been through.

Working with an electric scooter accident lawyer allows you to focus on your mental and physical recovery while getting the maximum payment you deserve. Your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other costs can add up quickly, leaving you in thousands of dollars of debt. Our team is here to help you recover damages so you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation, is here to walk you through the claims process. We are dedicated to serving our clients and getting them the best possible outcomes. For more information about our services, please call today at 626-208-9906.

How Do Most E Scooter Accidents Happen?

As electric scooters and e-bikes become more popular, there are more and more accidents they are involved in. Accidents happen in a variety of ways, and any kind of scooter accident can cause extreme injuries.

The most common types of E-scooter accidents include:

Scooter and Pedestrian Accidents

Accidents involving pedestrians can be serious, especially when a pedestrian is hit with a scooter from behind. E-scooters using the bike lane can sometimes go unnoticed by pedestrians, especially when crossing the street. Similarly, when E-scooter riders use the sidewalk, they can unintentionally hit pedestrians stepping out of buildings or out of the road.

Single Rider Accidents

Many scooter accidents happen when a rider loses control of the scooter they are on. Bumps in the road, cracks in the sidewalk, and potholes can all cause dangerous road conditions that lead to accidents. Scooter malfunctions can also lead to dangerous crashes.

Scooter and Car Accidents

Accidents involving cars have the potential to cause fatal injuries. When scooters and cars ride side by side, there is always a chance that a car could swerve into a scooter or hit one while turning. Fortunately, these accidents are relatively uncommon. In most cases, scooter accidents involving cars happen when a driver opens their door into a scooter.

Defective Scooter Accidents

Defective and broken scooters can lead to crashes. Parts that have malfunctioned or scooters that haven’t been properly maintained can lead to dangerous scenarios for riders.

What Are the Most Common Injuries After an E Scooter Accident?

Electric scooters have the potential to cause severe accidents. Injured victims can sustain injuries that take years to recover from. Some injuries sustained are permanent, changing the way a victim lives, works, and completes daily tasks forever. The kinds of injuries you get after a scooter or E-bike accident will depend on the type of accident you’re in and the other party involved.

The most common injuries after an electric scooter accident include:

• Broken bones
• Road rash
• Concussions
• Whiplash
• Facial injuries and scarring
• Internal bleeding
• Soft tissue injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Lacerations and contusions

When you are injured in an accident, seeking medical attention right away is essential. Even if you don’t feel hurt right after the accident, you could have injuries internally or symptoms that show up later. Always record any medical bills you pay out of pocket, as you may be able to claim them in a personal injury case later.

What Are the Laws Pertaining to E Scooters?

Motorized scooters are a relatively new mode of transportation. California has passed various rules and regulations to keep riders and other people on the road safe.

To ride an electric scooter, you must have a driver’s license or a learner’s permit and wear proper safety gear (in this case, a helmet). Certain cities have regulations about pedestrian safety, like not allowing electric scooters and E-bikes on the sidewalks unless they are parking their rides. In most cases, scooter and E-bike riders must use the bike lanes or roads with speed limits under 25 mph.

The companies that own the E-scooters and E-bikes are required to maintain the rides and ensure they’re in working order. Similarly, the city or county that you’re in must maintain the roads and ensure there are no dangers that could be hazardous to you. Understanding these regulations will help you determine liability and format your personal injury claim.

Who is Liable in an E Scooter Accident?

Establishing fault after an accident is one of the most critical steps. Several parties could be liable for your accident, and you may even be able to pursue multiple parties. Our attorneys will examine your case and the nature of your accident to determine who is at fault.

Some parties that could be liable include:

The Scooter Manufacturer

When a scooter is manufactured incorrectly, parts can malfunction. If a scooter caused you to get into an accident, you could hold the manufacturer liable for your injuries.

The Scooter Designer

The company that designs the scooters must ensure that their design is safe enough for the general public to operate. If the design does not undergo enough iterations or is not tested correctly, it could cause safety issues.

Scooter Companies

The scooter company owns the scooters and is responsible for maintaining them. If the scooter was defective or not maintained properly, you could hold the company accountable.

Third Parties

Pedestrians, motor vehicles, and other scooter riders could be responsible for your accident. You can hold a third party accountable for your injuries if they are responsible.

Some scooter accidents happen when a car strikes a scooter on the road. Negligent drivers, especially those who drive dangerously, can be held responsible for their actions.

You may be able to sue for negligent driving in the following cases:

• Distracted driving
• Road rage
• Following too closely
• Failure to stop
• Failure to yield
• Failure to use a turn signal
• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving

What is Pure Comparative Negligence?

In some cases, you may be partially responsible for your scooter accident or injuries. California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning that even if you share fault with another party, you can still seek compensation. As long as you are less than 100% at fault, you can recover damages for any expenses you have paid.

If you share fault and decide to seek compensation, you will receive payment in accordance with the percentage you are at fault. For instance, if you are 99% at fault, you could seek payment for the 1% that was caused by the other party. Your damages will be reduced, and your settlement will be lowered accordingly.

For example, let’s say you were on a scooter after having a few drinks. You hit a pothole in the road and fall off your scooter, causing injuries. While the municipality responsible for maintaining the road may share liability, the judge could also find you partially responsible because you were under the influence. If a judge finds you 20% responsible for your accident and awards you $100,000 in damages, those damages will be reduced to $80,000.

Working with a team of California scooter accident lawyers is the best way to recover compensation if you share fault for your accident. To learn more, contact an accident lawyer on our team today.

What Kinds of Damages Can You Seek After an E Scooter Accident?

After an E-scooter accident, you’ve likely had to pay various expenses out of pocket. Both economic and non-economic damages can leave you in debt for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Our California scooter accident lawyers can help you calculate all of your damages to get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Many injured victims seek the following damages:

• Medical expenses, both present and future
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage repairs or replacements
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Costs of increased insurance premiums

If the other party involved in your accident behaved negligently, you could also be awarded punitive damages. These damages are added to your other damages and are meant to discourage the other party from repeating their actions. For instance, if you were hit by a drunk driver while riding a scooter, you could ask for punitive damages.

If your loved one passed away due to their injuries after a scooter or E-bike accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death case. Wrongful death lawsuits provide compensation to the surviving loved ones of the deceased. Compensation can be used to pay for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more.

How Do You Know if You Have a Personal Injury Case?

As you rest and recover from your injuries, it can be difficult to know whether you have a legal case. Pursuing a lawsuit may seem like a significant ordeal, but it’s often the best way to get the payment you deserve.

Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you have grounds for legal action:

• Is someone else responsible for your accident?
• Were you injured because of another party’s negligence?
• Have your injuries had a significant impact on your life?
• Are your injuries expected to have a considerable impact on your life in the future?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, contact our team of attorneys today. We can help you determine liability, examine your case, and advise you on your best course of action.

What is the Statute of Limitations for an E Scooter Accident?

The statute of limitations begins as soon as you are injured in an accident. Once that statute of limitations expires, you can’t seek compensation in court anymore. While there are some exceptions to this rule, they apply only under rare circumstances.

In California, the statute of limitations for scooter and E-bike accidents is two years. While this may sound like a long timeline, pursuing a personal injury case can take weeks or even months of wait time. With a knowledgeable attorney advocating for you right away, you can ensure that you are taken care of legally and that your right to compensation is protected.

What Can a Lawyer Do for an E Scooter Accident?

When pursuing legal action after an accident, having a lawyer on your side is essential. Not only will our team walk you through the legal process, but we can also advise you on the best ways to receive maximum compensation.

As your legal team, our attorneys will take the following steps:

Explain Your Compensation Options

You can recover damages in several different ways, including filing an insurance claim and going to court. We can make a recommendation based on the circumstances of your case to determine how you can get the results you deserve.

Gather Evidence

Photos, videos, witness statements, and police reports can be used to bolster your claim. We will gather this evidence on your behalf to build a solid case.

Hire Expert Witnesses

Expert testimonies can be used to support your claim. For instance, we may hire a doctor to explain the extent of your injuries or a scooter technician to explain a parts malfunction.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

An insurance company may offer you a small amount of money to avoid paying you what you deserve. If you are offered compensation that doesn’t meet your needs, our team will advocate for you using experienced negotiation tactics.

Represent You in Court

Not all personal injury claims go to court, but there is always a chance yours could. If you do end up before a judge, we will argue your case in court, preparing evidence to bolster your claim.

How Do You Build a Successful Personal Injury Claim?

Scooter accident claims are won based on the evidence you have gathered. The more evidence you can produce, the stronger your case will be. Our team will spend time gathering evidence to prove that the other party is liable for your injuries and other damages.

Evidence that can be used in personal injury claims includes:

• Witness statements
• Photos and videos of the accident
• Blood alcohol test results
• Cell phone records
• Driving records
• Medical records
• Accident reports
• Police reports
• Photos of your injuries and property damage
• Safety inspection reports

Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

Being injured while riding a motorized scooter or E-bike is a traumatic experience. If you have sustained injuries that impact your life, you need an attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Our team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation, understands how overwhelming the legal process can be, especially while recovering from injuries. We are dedicated to handling your personal injury case so you can focus on what matters most. Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions at 626-208-9906.