Have you or someone you love been injured in a San Diego electric scooter accident? At Injury Trial Lawyers, APC, our San Diego electric scooter accident attorney understand that the consequences of your accident can be devastating. We know that scooter accident victims tend to suffer more serious injuries than others.
Contact us today to learn about your legal rights and options. You may have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit if someone else is to blame. While money won’t guarantee a full recovery, it can help to make a difficult time in your life a bit easier. We offer a free consultation, so call our San Diego electric scooter accident lawyers for help today.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney After Your San Diego Scooter Accident
When you ride a scooter in San Diego, you’re sharing congested roads with a lot of other vehicles. Most of these other vehicles will be much larger and heavier. If you’re involved in a collision, you’re at an increased risk of suffering a serious injury. After an accident, you may find that you’re struggling to deal with a painful injury and fighting to get back on your feet.
If someone else caused your scooter accident, you do have the option of taking legal action. However, the last thing you need right now is the added stress of a lawsuit. The best thing you can do in this situation is to hire an experienced lawyer to handle your scooter accident case.
Here’s why you should hire a San Diego electric scooter accident attorney to handle your injury case after an electric scooter accident:
- Insurance companies will rely on manipulative strategies to minimize your payout.
- Multiple factors may have contributed to your accident.
- It can be difficult to identify who is liable for your injuries.
- Determining the true value of your case can be a challenge without the right resources.
- You may face a limited recovery if you share fault for the scooter accident.
At Injury Trial Lawyers, APC, we have the experience, skills, and resources that are necessary to file a successful claim on your behalf. Our attorneys will carefully investigate your accident and aggressively pursue compensation from anyone that caused you harm. Call us to learn more about how we can help you today.
Electric Scooter Accidents on the Rise in Major California Cities
Uber and Lyft aren’t the only companies offering transportation services in San Diego. There’s a new trend that’s taking over the nation: rental electric scooters. Companies like Bird and Lime have launched a program that allows anyone with a smartphone to unlock, rent, and use an electric scooter for a small fee. Since San Diego has always embraced alternative modes of transportation, it should not be a surprise that scooters have become incredibly popular with residents and tourists, alike.
While scooters are a fun way to get around the city, they can also pose a serious threat to your safety. The number of scooter accidents in California has skyrocketed since Bird, Lime, and other scooter companies introduced their fleet of vehicles. Emergency rooms and hospitals across the state have reported a significant increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for injuries sustained in electric scooter crashes. While there haven’t been any fatal electric scooter accidents in San Diego, doctors believe it is just a matter of time.
Common Electric Scooter Accident Injuries
Most people riding scooters in San Diego don’t have much to protect them if they’re involved in an accident. As a result, scooter operators are at risk of suffering serious and catastrophic injuries. Head injuries are among the most frequently reported consequences of a scooter accident. Other commonly reported electric scooter accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Eye injury
- Brain stem injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Whiplash
- Back injury
- Degloving injury
- Crushing injury
- Soft tissue injury
- Amputation
- Quadriplegia, and more.
Our injury attorneys are prepared to help you fight for the money you deserve after an electric scooter accident. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in San Diego
Electric scooter accidents are happening in San Diego every day. Local law enforcement and medical professionals tend to believe that the number of accidents is only going to increase with time. What is causing these devastating scooter crashes? The truth is that there are several different causes responsible for these accidents.
Distractions: Electric scooters are motor vehicles and must be operated with care. Unfortunately, many simply see scooters as a way to have fun. As a result, it’s common to see someone on a scooter with their eyes glued to their cell phone. Others wear earbuds or headphones that cut off their ability to hear the outside world. Distracted scooter riders are more likely to veer into traffic, clip a pedestrian, or run a red light.
Lack of Experience: You don’t need a special license to operate a scooter in San Diego. As long as you have a driver’s license, you’re good to go. Unfortunately, this means that most riders don’t have any specific training or instruction on how to use the scooter properly. While companies like Bird and Lime may offer some safety tips, there’s no real way to ensure that a person can navigate the vehicle safely in traffic. Since electric scooters have a bit of a learning curve, inexperienced operators are likely to cause accidents.
Not Wearing a Helmet: Beginning in 2019, California will no longer require scooter operators over the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Unfortunately, studies show that wearing a helmet while riding any motorized vehicle significantly decreases the likelihood of a serious injury.
Traffic and Congestion: Scooters are driven right alongside other vehicles. California state law requires scooters to be driven in the road or a bicycle lane. Many scooter accidents happen when other drivers on the road become impatient and aggressive.
Limited Visibility: Scooters may be equipped with lights and reflectors, but this doesn’t mean that it’s always easy for other drivers to see these small vehicles. Accidents frequently happen when scooters are hidden in a blind spot or riding alongside drivers who aren’t paying attention.
Negligent Operation: All vehicles on the road – including electric scooters – have to be operated with care. Speeding, weaving between lanes, and tailgating other vehicles can increase the likelihood of an accident.
Drinking and Riding a Scooter: Consuming drugs or alcohol before riding a scooter can reduce your ability to navigate safely. You may experience dizziness, balance issues, and reduced reaction times. All of these can contribute to an accident.
Hazardous Roads: Scooters aren’t able to absorb as much tension and force as larger vehicles. It’s important to ride on flat, safe surfaces whenever possible. However, many roads in San Diego aren’t in the greatest condition. Scooter accidents can occur when the roads are uneven, cracked, or littered with debris.
Riding on Sidewalks: It’s illegal to operate a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in California. Scooters can reach up to 15 MPH, while pedestrians tend to walk at a more leisurely pace. When scooters are driven on sidewalks accidents are more likely to occur. This is particularly true if the sidewalks aren’t in great condition or are particularly crowded.
Defective Scooters: Scooter operators and others on the road aren’t always responsible for an accident. Some accidents are caused by problems or defects with the electric scooters. An improperly assembled scooter or faulty brakes can easily create a dangerous situation. Electric scooter companies can be held strictly liable for injuries that are caused by defects in their products.
Damages Available to San Diego Electric Scooter Accident Victims
Have you been injured in a San Diego scooter accident? If so, you may be struggling with a painful injury and trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Between medical bills and lost wages, the costs of your accident can become overwhelming. Our attorneys are prepared to help you file a legal claim to recover monetary damages. We’ll fight to recover compensation for:
- Hospitalization
- Medical bills
- Anxiety and depression
- PTSD
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Rehabilitation
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
We will carefully investigate your accident to make sure that all of your damages are identified. Once we’ve determined your injuries, we’ll work closely with experts to calculate the true value of your case. Call us to get started on your injury claim or lawsuit today.
Call Our San Diego Electric Scooter Accident Attorney
Scooter accidents are happening every day in San Diego. Fortunately, you have certain rights if someone else caused your accident. Contact Injury Trial Lawyers, APC to find out how we can help you file a personal injury claim for damages. Our San Diego personal injury attorneys are here to help you get the money you deserve when you need it most. The money you receive can be instrumental in your physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Call to schedule your free consultation today and learn more.