Scooter Accident Attorney in Los Angeles
Scooter use is on the rise in Los Angeles. Everywhere you look, short-term scooter rentals are available for people to use while shopping, sightseeing, or whatever they may be doing around town. Electric scooters not only benefit those with limited mobility, but they’re also less expensive than cars, you don’t have to fight for a parking space, and they have a reduced environmental impact.
Although scooters have been around for a while, their widespread adoption is more recent. Like all comparatively new technologies, a lack of familiarity can cause issues. For example:
- People who rent them don’t always know how to operate them properly or follow the ‘rules of the road.’ They can lose control of the scooter and crash into a car or pedestrian, resulting in serious injuries.
- Pedestrians who aren’t used to seeing scooters on pathways don’t watch for them and can end up in the path of an oncoming vehicle.
The experienced and effective accident attorneys at Moaddel Kremer & Gerome LLP can help you seek compensation if you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with an electric scooter. Our team of lawyers is ready to handle your case and ensure that you get the maximum recovery possible.
What is an Electric Scooter?
Also known as e-scooters, electric scooters are stand-up scooters powered by an electric motor. Anyone holding any class of California driver’s license can legally ride one. Electric scooters can only be ridden on bicycle paths, trails, and bikeways- not on sidewalks. The maximum speed is 15 mph, which is much faster than a traditional scooter, and helmet use is mandatory.
Bird, Lime, and Lyft are popular electric scooter options in Los Angeles. Over the years, they have gained popularity due to their ease of use, and fast travel speed. You can use a smartphone app to rent an e-scooter from Bird or Lime, and the cost is minimal: as little as $1 to unlock a ride and up to 35 cents a minute to use.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Los Angeles
UCLA researchers have found that during a recent six-year period, electric scooter riders in Los Angeles experienced more injuries than motorcycle riders, bicycle riders, car drivers, and pedestrians.
Before shareable e-scooters were widely available in 2018, there was an average of13 scooter-related injuries yearly. That number jumped to 595 in 2018 and 672 in 2019. E-scooter injuries are estimated at 115 per 1 million trips.
Any of the following factors can cause a scooter accident:
- Motor vehicle drivers who are negligent, aggressive, or intoxicated
- Problems with motor scooter brakes, engines, or tires
- Scooter riders who are negligent or intoxicated
- Inattentive pedestrians or cyclists
- Dangerous road defects such as uneven sidewalks, cracks in the road, or potholes
Regardless of the cause, accident victims can suffer devastating injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
If you’ve been seriously injured because someone else was negligent, a scooter accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help ensure you get the medical treatment you need while advocating for the compensation you deserve. Call Moaddel Kremer & Gerome LLP today.
FAQs
With e-scooter accidents, different factors come into play when it comes to compensation.
- If you or someone in your household has auto insurance and you crash on a scooter, your PIP coverage may pay your medical costs up to $15,000.
- If you are injured due to driver negligence, they may be liable for your injuries. A Los Angeles automobile accident attorney can help you hold them accountable for your injuries, lost wages, and more.
- When scooters malfunction or are not maintained properly, scooter companies may be responsible for injuries to riders or third parties.
- Property owners may be liable for accidents caused by unmarked hazards on their property.
- The city may be liable for accidents caused by debris on the road, potholes, or other road hazards.
Determining liability can require investigative work. Your Los Angeles scooter accident attorney at Moaddel Kremer & Gerome LLP can recreate what happened by viewing the accident scene, speaking to witnesses, viewing the police report, and accessing surveillance footage from nearby traffic or security cameras. We will build as strong a case as possible to get the compensation you are entitled to.
When you’ve got mounting medical bills and no way to work to pay them, you’re going to wonder how much your scooter accident case is worth, and whether it will be enough to cover your medical treatment and help you meet your financial obligations.
Every case is unique, so Los Angeles has no average settlement for scooter accidents. Compensable damages include:
- Medical treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Lost or decreased earning ability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
A variety of factors will need to be considered, including the severity of the accident and the resulting injuries, your prognosis for recovery, and what kind of care you will require to reach your maximum medical improvement. Your scooter accident lawyer will aim to maximize your financial recovery so you can meet your living expenses while getting the treatment you need.
Get a Free Consultation With a Los Angeles Scooter Accident Attorney
When you’ve been seriously injured in a scooter accident in or around Los Angeles, you need a determined advocate who isn’t afraid to go up against the big insurers for you. The personal injury lawyers at Moaddel Kremer & Gerome LLP have won significant settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients and will seek the same results for your scooter accident claim.
We offer free consultations and charge you nothing upfront. You only pay us if we win, so you have nothing to lose by hiring us. Our goal will always be to protect your right to full and fair compensation for your injuries. To learn more about what we can do for you, contact our law office today.