Sacramento Electric Scooter Accident Attorney

Some people have hailed dockless electric scooters as an affordable and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation. Cities around the country, including several in California, have seen an explosion in easy-to-rent scooters from companies like Bird, Lime, Spin, Skip, and others.

While dockless scooters have not yet arrived on Sacramento streets due to a city law requiring scooter companies to install parking racks, they are popular in many nearby California cities. Many believe that the law will change soon in 2019, giving scooter companies the right to deploy these vehicles on Sacramento streets.

While e-scooters may be convenient, inexpensive, and fun to ride, they can also pose a serious risk to the safety of riders, motorists, and pedestrians. Electric scooters travel at speeds as high as 15 mph and very few riders wear helmets. In fact, Assembly Bill 2989 permits adults to ride scooters on city streets without a helmet, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Because it appears that electric scooters will arrive on Sacramento streets soon, it is critical to be aware of your rights if you are hurt in an accident. Whether you suffered an injury due to a negligent rider or motorist, or if the scooter company or manufacturer caused you harm, you could be owed significant compensation.

When you are hurt in a dockless scooter accident, be sure to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands this new technology and how to determine which parties are liable for the crash.

The lawyers at the Demas Law Group are ready to put our extensive legal experience to work for you. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling us, by filling out a contact form, or by chatting with us live today.

Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Sacramento

Though they have been in most cities for less than a year, electric scooters have already been cited as the cause of serious injury accidents and fatalities. Though accidents can happen in a variety of scenarios, the following are the most common causes of electric scooter accidents:

• Defective scooters – Electric scooter companies often rely on riders to perform a safety check and report defective scooters. This is rarely an effective or safe way to keep scooters in good working condition. If the scooter was defective or vandalized, the rider may not know until it is too late.
• Poor Road Conditions – Potholes and damaged roads can pose a serious threat to scooter operators. Because scooters are low to the ground and unstable, they are more susceptible to being launched or crashing when they strike a pothole or debris in the road.
• Pedestrian Collisions – A collision with a pedestrian can cause serious bodily harm to both the pedestrian and scooter operator. For this reason, scooter operators are encouraged to stay off of the sidewalk.
• Motor Vehicle Collisions – When a bike path is available, scooters are encouraged to travel in the bike lane. However, when a bike lane is not an option, scooter operators are directed to travel in the road alongside other vehicles. If a car driver or a scooter operator isn’t paying attention or makes a mistake, life-threatening injuries can affect all parties involved.

Though these are common causes of electric scooter accidents, if you have been involved in an accident that didn’t fit these specific scenarios, you should still reach out to a lawyer for help.

Common Types of Electric Scooter Accident Injuries in Sacramento

Electric scooters are often operated on roads alongside other motor vehicles. Riders have been involved in collisions with cars, trucks, other scooters, cyclists, and pedestrians. Unfortunately, even when wearing helmets, electric scooter operators are mostly unprotected in crashes and can be thrown from their scooters or crushed into the ground. The following injuries have been reported from victims of electric scooter accidents: