Can I Sue After an E-Scooter Accident in California?
E-Scooters are taking over the streets in virtually every major city across the world. Some absolutely love these new inventions, while others believe that they are nothing more than a nuisance. Still others warily tolerate them and do not have a strong opinion one way or another. But what happens if you get into an accident that involves one of these E-Scooters? This type of incident can quickly change your point of view, and you might suddenly realize just how dangerous these vehicles can be. But can you sue for your damages and receive compensation? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
Why E-Scooter Injuries Can Be Challenging
The first thing you need to know is that an E-Scooter lawsuit may not be as straightforward as a typical car accident injury claim. This is because the car insurance system that protects victims does not extend to vehicles like E-Scooters. Instead, users are required to sign an agreement before renting their scooters, and this agreement usually involves some kind of injury waiver. Some companies have a mandatory arbitration process, but this is not the same as a lawsuit, and it may result in a much lower level of compensation.
However, this only applies to the people riding the scooters – and not necessarily the people who are injured by them. For example, a pedestrian who is struck by a scooter on the sidewalk never signed an agreement, and they can sue a range of parties for their injuries. This may include not only the person operating the scooter, but also the company behind the scooter.
Who Can I Sue?
If you were injured in a scooter crash, there may be a number of parties you can hold liable – even if you are prevented from suing the company that rented you the scooter. For example, a man from California recently sued the city of Detroit after crashing his Bird Scooter. Faced with no insurance coverage and no way to sue Bird, the plaintiff instead turned to the municipal government, alleging that his injury was caused by a pothole that should have been repaired by the city. He is apparently suing for $10 million in damages, as he has suffered permanent issues due to a traumatic brain injury. It is unclear whether this lawsuit will be successful, but it shows that there are many possibilities when it comes to E-Scooter lawsuits.
Perhaps the most notable scooter accident in recent memory was the fatal collision that killed actress Lisa Banes. On September 29th of 2022, it was reported that the scooter driver had pleaded guilty to manslaughter with an expected sentence of up to three years in prison.
Where Can I Find an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in California?
If you’ve been searching for an experienced personal injury attorney in Riverside, San Bernardino and the surrounding Southern California areas, look no further than Knez Law Group, LLP. We know that some personal injuries in California are much more difficult to figure out than others – but you’re not alone in this fight. With help from our experienced team of legal professionals, you can approach this situation with a measure of confidence and professionalism. Book your consultation today and get started with an effective action plan.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He went on to pursue his Law Degree at the University of LaVerne, College of Law in Ontario, California. While pursuing his law degree he earned various awards, including CALI Award in Torts and he was on the Dean’s List. Mr. Knez was also a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic where he worked with people seeking asylum into the United States from countries where they had experienced persecution or threat of persecution. Additionally, Mr. Knez was a member of Law Review where he was an Associate Editor and published a Law Review article on California family custody move-away cases.