Electric scooters from companies like Lime, Bird, Scoot, Skip, and Spin have become a common sight across California cities. They promise affordable rides and reduced traffic congestion but they’ve also led to a sharp rise in accidents and injuries. Healthcare workers report that social scooter injuries are climbing every week, with many cases resulting in serious, life-changing consequences.
If you’re considering using these scooters, here are five important facts you may not know.
1. Not Every City Welcomes Social Scooters
Many scooter companies follow the “ask for forgiveness, not permission” model placing scooters in cities before local officials can create safety regulations. This has left communities like Santa Barbara and San Francisco scrambling to deal with an influx of inexperienced riders and new hazards on busy streets.
2. Helmets Are Required by Law in California
Even though companies like Bird have lobbied to ease helmet laws, California law still requires riders of motorized scooters to wear helmets. Unfortunately, many riders ignore this requirement, putting themselves at higher risk of head and brain injuries in the event of a crash.
3. You Need a Driver’s License to Ride
While some scooter apps like Bird require users to upload a photo of their driver’s license, others, like Lime, do not. Even with these safeguards, underage riders often bypass the rules by using someone else’s ID, creating serious safety risks.
4. Riding on Sidewalks Is Illegal
In California, it is illegal to operate a motorized scooter on sidewalks. Still, many riders choose sidewalks to avoid traffic, putting both themselves and pedestrians in danger. Collisions with walkers, strollers, or even small road cracks can cause severe injuries.
5. Scooter-Related Injuries Are on the Rise
Doctors in San Francisco report a dramatic increase in scooter-related accidents. According to emergency room data, some hospitals have gone from seeing one scooter injury a month to five to ten per week. Riders face risks from cars, potholes, trees, and even small obstacles in the road. Without proper protection, these accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, fractures, or worse.
Who Is Liable After a Scooter Accident?
Scooter accidents raise complex legal questions. Liability may fall on:
- The scooter company – for faulty equipment or lack of safety measures
- The rider – if reckless or negligent behavior caused the crash
- Other drivers – if they struck a rider
- Government agencies – if unsafe road conditions played a role
At Hillstone Law, our skilled personal injury attorneys have the resources to investigate your case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Hillstone Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scooter accident, don’t wait. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call Hillstone Law today for a free consultation and let us fight to protect your rights.
