They’re marketed as an easy way to get around town—zipping to work, class, or just exploring. sin embargo, the outcome rarely favors the rider when scooters and cars collide.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that e-scooter injuries jumped 22% en 2022. Entre 2017 y 2022, emergency rooms treated 360,800 casos, most involving the head, cuello, or limbs.
If you were hit by a car on a scooter, you may be shaken, in pain, and unsure of what to do next.
Understanding your options—including what steps to take after the crash and how liability works in California—can give you clarity and put you in a stronger position to protect your health and finances.
What To Do After a Scooter Accident With a Car in California
A scooter crash can leave you hurt and disoriented. Your first few minutes matter—here are the steps to take right away:
- Move to safety. Si es posible, get out of the roadway to avoid further danger from oncoming traffic.
- Llamada 911. Ask for both medical responders and police at the scene. The police report creates an official record, and paramedics can check for injuries.
- buscar atención médica. Even if you feel fine, hidden injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not show up for hours. A doctor’s exam treats problems early and documents them for your claim.
- Take photographs and gather witness contacts. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, Y tus lesiones, and write down the names and numbers of anyone who saw the crash. These details may be essential evidence later.
- Save the scooter, helmet, and rental records. They may show whether a mechanical problem, such as faulty brakes or a locked throttle, contributed to the crash.
Taking these scooter accident steps protects your health and ability to recover compensation later.
Who Is Liable When a Car Hits a Scooter Rider?
When you’re injured on a scooter, different parties may be connected to the crash. Liability often depends on who acted negligently—sometimes, multiple parties share responsibility.
Here’s who may be at fault in a scooter accident personal injury claim:
| Situation | When They Might Be Liable |
| Driver Negligence | If the driver ran a light, failed to yield, or was distracted, they may be responsible for the crash. |
| Scooter Rider Fault | Riders may share fault for riding against traffic, ignoring signals, or using the scooter in a prohibited area. |
| Scooter Company Responsibility | Rental companies may share liability when the scooter malfunctions, such as locked brakes or throttle issues. |
En California, you may be able to seek damages from more than one party, such as a driver and a scooter company. sin embargo, when your own actions contributed—for instance, you were not in an authorized bikeway—the compensation you can recover is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Common Injuries in Scooter vs. Accidentes automovilísticos
Scooters don’t have the protection of a vehicle frame or airbags, so the injuries can be catastrophic when a scooter rider is hit by a car.
Typical injuries include:
- Heridas en la cabeza. A crash can hurl a rider to the pavement or into a vehicle, causing brain injuries that affect memory, balance, and concentration.
- Huesos rotos. When riders fall, their wrists, brazos, and legs often absorb the impact—resulting in fractures that may need casting or surgery.
- Road rash and deep cuts. Slamming onto the pavement can tear through skin and tissue, leaving painful wounds that risk infection and may result in permanent scarring.
- Spinal and neck injuries. The force of impact can strain or damage the spine and neck, resulting in whiplash, herniated discs, or longer-term mobility problems.
Even after treatment, many riders deal with ongoing pain, limited movement, or emotional trauma from electric scooter injuries. Studies show that around 40% of injured riders suffer broken bones, while 22% experience head or neck trauma.
If you’re facing medical bills after a scooter accident, a California scooter accident lawyer can help you recover costs through a claim with the at-fault party’s injury liability insurance coverage.
Insurance Coverage After a Scooter Accident
Dealing with insurance after a crash can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already in pain. But knowing what coverage applies can make a difference in getting the help you need.
Here are some of the options:
- Driver’s auto insurance. When the driver caused the accident, their policy typically covers medical bills, salarios perdidos, and other related losses.
- Uninsured or underinsured drivers. When the driver lacks coverage or doesn’t carry enough, your auto policy may provide benefits through uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
- Health insurance. Your health insurance can pay for treatment, though you may still face co-pays and deductibles. Providers, like Medi-Cal, can also place a lien on your settlement to recover what they spent.
- Scooter rental protection. Some scooter rental companies like Bird y Lime sell optional protection plans that may cover part of your expenses, though the limits are usually narrow.
- Third-party liability. Compensation may also come from other sources, such as a city responsible for unsafe road conditions or a scooter company that released faulty equipment.
With the help of an experienced scooter accident attorney, you can explore every option for recovery, so you don’t end up paying medical bills out of your own pocket.
Legal Options After the Accident
After a scooter accident, you may have several legal avenues to recover damages:
- Personal injury claims. Most scooter accident cases start with an insurance claim, where you present evidence of fault and the extent of your damages.
- Statute of limitations. You typically only have dos años from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in California.
- Documenting losses. Keep records of medical visits, ingresos, time missed from work, and even notes on how the injuries affect your daily life. They help demonstrate the scope of your damages.
- Settlements or lawsuits. Many cases settle without going to trial. If negotiations fail, a lawsuit may be necessary to pursue fair compensation.
With the right attorney, you don’t have to face the claims process alone—they’ll manage the negotiations and help you secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
Speak With a California Scooter Accident Lawyer Today
The best way to protect your personal safety after scooter accidents in urban California settings is to know what steps to take, such as documenting the crash, checking insurance coverage, and considering legal claims.
A scooter accident can leave you with medical bills, salarios perdidos, and a long road to recovery. You don’t have to face that struggle on your own. The Shirvanian Law Firm has the experience and dedication to guide you through the claims process, manejar negociaciones, y luchar por la compensación que te mereces.
Póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy for a free consultation and let us help you rebuild your life after a scooter accident.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can I sue the driver who hit me on a scooter?
Sí. When a driver’s negligence caused the crash, you can pursue compensation for medical bills, missed work, and the impact on your daily life.
What if I was using a rental scooter like Bird or Lime?
You may still have the right to file a claim against the driver. En algunos casos, the rental company could also be liable if the scooter malfunctioned—for example, due to faulty brakes or a sudden power failure.
Do helmet laws affect my ability to claim damages?
Unlike motocicletas or mopeds, helmets are only required for scooter riders under 18. sin embargo, choosing not to wear one can give insurers grounds to dispute head injury claims and make it harder to secure a fair settlement.
Who pays if I was partially at fault?
En California, liability can be shared between both parties. Your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you, but you can still recover damages for the harm you suffered.
