In April 2019, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the San Diego City Council approved rules governing app-rented scooter companies that had deployed dockless scooters, which have self-locking mechanisms and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking that allows users to leave scooters at locations other than designated service stations, all over the city during 2018. The ordinance created a permitting process for operators, established speed limits in certain areas, and required all scooters to involve a scan of a valid driver’s license before they could be used.
“Injuries are coming in fast and furious,” Dr. Michael Sise, Chief of Medical Staff at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, told the NBC San Diego in September 2018. “It’s just a matter of time before someone is killed. I’m absolutely certain of it.”
Did you suffer serious injuries or was your loved one killed in a scooter accident in the greater San Diego area? Our dockless scooter attorneys will not be intimidated by well-funded startups, their insurance companies, or their aggressive lawyers, all of whom will seek to pay those who have been hurt as little as possible to save themselves money. Our team has been standing up for the rights of those who have been hurt, whether they were riding a scooter or were hit by a scooter rider.
For more information about your rights and legal options, contact a Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers San Diego dockless scooter accident lawyer at (888) 233-5020 and schedule a free consultation with us.
Our No Fee Guarantee ensures that if you hire us, you won’t pay a single penny if our lawyers fail to get you compensation for your claim.
Do I Need A Scooter Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt in a scooter accident, don’t be surprised if you’re contacted by a representative from the insurance company shortly afterward. They will likely even try to reach you in the hospital, initially expressing concern for your condition, but ultimately looking for you to give a recorded statement (designed to trick you into admitting full or partial fault) or to get you to settle quickly for a low-ball settlement.
Don’t let them trick you into taking the blame for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Also, don’t be tempted to accept a quick payout, even if you need the money. Instead, call a San Diego scooter accident lawyer at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers to protect you from the insurance company’s tricks and tactics.
We suggest that you politely refuse to speak with any insurance adjusters until you’ve discussed your case with your lawyer. We will help you navigate the complicated claims process, and if negotiations with the insurance company fail to yield a fair settlement, we will take your case to court to win you the money you are owed.
Why Choose Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers To Handle My Case?
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has been featured in such publications as Time and Newsweek. We have been serving clients throughout San Diego and many other nearby communities since 2000.
Ross Jurewitz was named a member of the Best of the Bar 2015 by the San Diego Business Journal, one of the Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers in San Diego by ThreeBestRated.com, and was named a Super Lawyer by the Southern California Super Lawyers in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He is also a member of the State Bar of California, San Diego Regional Chamber, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Consumer Attorneys of California, and American Bar Association.
Mr. Jurewitz is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Less than 1 percent of lawyers in the United States are members.
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers can work to make sure that you get a settlement that covers every past, present, and future cost you will face, but we will not hesitate to take your case to court when it is necessary to get sufficient compensation. You also will not have to pay anything for these legal services, as we only collect a portion of your ultimate financial award.
Types of Scooter Accident Cases We Handle
Dockless scooter companies that currently have vehicles on the streets in San Diego currently include:
- Bird
- Lime
- Spin
- Razor
- Jump
- Lyft
People don’t always rent scooters. Some choose to purchase their own scooters, and some of the most popular brands include, but are not limited to:
- Hero Duet
- Hero Maestro
- Hero Pleasure
- Honda Activa
- Honda Dio
- Honda Grazia
- Suzuki Access
- TVS Jupiter
- TVS Ntorq
- TVS Scooty Pep+
- Yamaha Fascino
- Yamaha Ray
California Vehicle Code § 21235 establishes rules of the road for motorized scooters. The statute provides that the operator of a motorized scooter cannot:
- Operate a scooter unless it is equipped with a brake
- Operate a scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour
- Operate a scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when the operator is under 18 years of age
- Operate a scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit
- Operate a scooter with any passengers
- Operate a scooter while carrying anything that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars
- Operate a scooter upon a sidewalk, except when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property
- Operate a scooter with handlebars raised such that the operator must elevate their hands above the level of their shoulders to grasp the steering grip
- Leave a scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk or park a scooter such that there is not an adequate path for pedestrians
- Attach the scooter to another vehicle
A scooter accident frequently results in devastating injuries. Operators of scooters are commonly the victims in most scooter accidents, but pedestrians can also be severely injured when struck by scooters.
Examples of possible scooter injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Pulled muscles
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Many scooter accidents involve motor vehicles, and negligent drivers can be held liable for the injuries they cause. When a scooter operator is at fault for an accident that causes injuries to a pedestrian, then the scooter operator could be liable.
Another kind of scooter accident that could cause injuries to an operator involves a possibly defective scooter. In such cases, the rental company could be liable if it did not adequately maintain the scooter or a manufacturer could be liable if the accident was caused by a defective part.
If a scooter accident results in fatal injuries, the deceased person’s family could be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party or parties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Scooter Accidents
If you’ve been hurt in a scooter accident in San Diego, you likely have questions about how to file an injury claim, how much time you have to take action, and how an attorney can help. Call us at (888) 233-5020 to speak with a knowledgeable member of our team, and read a few of these frequently asked questions and their answers below:
What should I do if I am involved in a scooter accident in San Diego?
Your first step after any scooter accident should always be to receive medical care. You should do this even when you do not think that you were hurt because some injuries involve delayed symptoms. Insurance companies will claim that your injuries were not treated properly if you obtain treatment days or weeks after your original accident. It is also recommended that you file a police report when your scooter accident involved a motor vehicle. At the scene of your crash, try to take as many pictures as you can of everything involved in the accident. If any people saw the accident, ask them for their names and phone numbers in case they are needed as witnesses. Do not post anything about the accident or your injuries on a social media website, and make sure you speak to a lawyer before an insurance company.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my scooter accident?
Yes. Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal. 3d 804 (1975) was the Supreme Court of California case that replaced the old all-or-nothing system of tort liability known as contributory negligence with a comparative fault system “under which liability for damage will be borne by those whose negligence caused it in direct proportion to their respective fault.” Comparative fault means that a plaintiff’s negligence does not bar recovery but instead reduces the damages awarded in proportion to their amount of negligence. California is considered a pure comparative fault state, which means that there is no amount of negligence that prohibits a legal claim (many states impose bars when plaintiffs were 50 percent or more at fault). This means that a person who is awarded $100,000 in a scooter accident for which they were found to have been 55 percent at fault would have their damages reduced by $55,000 and ultimately receive $45,000.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for my scooter accident?
California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 establishes that a person has two years from the date of their accident to file an action for injury to their person or death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another party. Two important exceptions apply to this statute of limitations, however. If a person is incapacitated after a scooter accident, then the limitations period is tolled (or delayed) such that the person has two years to file from the date they become cognizant again. A minor who cannot file a legal claim will also have two years from the date they reach the age of majority (18 years of age), such that they will have until they turn 20 years of age to file a lawsuit.
Contact a San Diego Scooter Accident Attorney Today
As dockless scooters become more popular and widespread on our streets, riders, pedestrians, and motorists all must be aware of each other and do everything they can to avoid accidents. If any party behaves negligently, they can and should be held liable for the harm they cause others.
Were you hurt in a dockless scooter crash in San Diego? Our scooter accident lawyers can review your case and give you an honest, thorough evaluation of the compensation you could be owed and the best way to obtain it. Worried about how you’ll afford our representation? Don’t be. We work on a contingency fee basis and our No Fee Guarantee promises that if we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us anything. Call us at (888) 233-5020 to schedule your free consultation right away.
