Glendale Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
Electric scooters have become a regular sight in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Wherever bars, tourist areas, restaurant street walks, or other heavily foot-trafficked areas are found, electric scooters can now be found. They provide an easy, cost-effective mode of transportation in congested cities and, they are readily available on many city street corners. However, just because they are easy to access does not mean they are without risk. Electric scooter accidents are becoming more and more prevalent across the Los Angeles area. Scooters can be dangerous to ride, especially because riders tend to ignore helmet requirements. Moreover, people leave scooters almost anywhere, creating hazards for pedestrians, bike riders, and drivers on California roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an electric scooter in Glendale, the seasoned and effective electric scooter accident attorneys at McReynolds Vardanyan can help you seek compensation for your harm. We are ready to take your case and ensure that you get the maximum recovery available for your damages.
Causes of electric scooter accidents
There are generally three categories of victims who are hurt in accidents involving electric scooters: scooter riders injured as a result of a defective or dangerous scooter; bystanders such as pedestrians who are hurt by someone negligently operating a scooter; and scooter riders harmed by someone else’s negligence, including bike riders, car drivers, or someone responsible for an unjustifiable hazard on the road or sidewalk. Scooters may be less visible than other vehicles on the road, increasing the chances of an accident, and riders do not need any experience before renting a scooter, creating a hazard for everyone on the road.
Given the various types of scooter accidents and injury victims, scooter accidents may be caused by:
- Negligent, aggressive, or intoxicated drivers
- Motor scooter defects such as faulty brakes, engine failure, or malfunctioning tires
- Negligent or intoxicated scooter riders
- Oblivious pedestrians or bike riders
- Road hazards such as potholes, uneven sidewalks, or cracks in the road
Scooter companies are responsible for ensuring that their scooters are maintained in good, safe working condition. Unfortunately, many of the scooter rental companies are not proactive about checking on the status of their scooters. When a scooter malfunctions, causing a rider to experience an unexpected stop, an inability to brake, or an uncontrolled swerve, scooter riders and others on the road are liable to suffer serious injury.
Whether the party at fault is the scooter manufacturer or operator, a careless driver, or a drunk scooter rider, if you were hurt in an accident involving an electric scooter, the Glendale personal injury lawyers at McReynolds Vardanyan will ensure that the appropriate parties compensate you for the injury you have suffered.
California scooter laws
California has enacted several laws that apply specifically to electric scooters, in an effort to increase their safety. We strongly encourage anyone riding an electric scooter in the state to adhere to these laws to keep themselves and others on the road at a lower risk of serious injury and to avoid any allegations of failing to comply with California law. Lack of compliance with California safety law may reduce your chances of a complete recovery in the event of an accident.
The California Vehicle Code requires, among other things:
- Scooter riders must wear helmets
- Scooter riders must have a valid driver’s license
- Scooter drivers cannot carry passengers
- Riders cannot carry packages that prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars
- Scooter riding is prohibited on sidewalks
- Riders must not leave scooters lying on their sides after use
Get Help from Our Glendale Electric Scooter Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an electric scooter accident in Los Angeles or Southern California, we want to hear from you. Call our Glendale office at 818-855-2115 for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case and fight to ensure that you get the recovery you deserve. Our honest, dependable and compassionate personal injury attorneys are ready to meet you and meet your needs.