## E-scooter accident claims in California **E-scooter accidents** (Lime, Bird, Spin, etc.) are increasingly common as scooters proliferate in cities. California riders + accident victims face complex liability + insurance issues, complicated by user-agreement arbitration clauses. ## Common e-scooter injuries **Rider injuries:** - Falls (bad pavement, mechanical issues) - Hit by vehicles - Pedestrian collisions - Mechanical failures (brakes, throttle) - Battery fires (rare) **Pedestrian injuries:** - Hit by e-scooter rider - Sidewalk collisions - Tripping over abandoned scooters - Tripping over scooters on sidewalks **Vehicle damage:** - Scooter rider hits car - Property damage - Specific liability issues ## Liability theories **Multiple potential claims:** **Against rider:** - Negligent operation - Specific traffic violations - Failing to yield - Riding under influence - Violations of local rules **Against driver / pedestrian (if rider injured):** - Standard auto / pedestrian negligence - Specific to circumstances - Insurance considerations **Against scooter company:** **Defective product / maintenance:** - Brake failures - Throttle issues - Battery problems - Specific defects - Inadequate maintenance **Negligent placement:** - Sidewalks - Specific dangerous locations - Inadequate retrieval - Hazardous to pedestrians **Inadequate warnings:** - Helmet requirements - Speed limitations - Specific use restrictions - Local law violations **Lax safety controls:** - No driver's license verification - Inadequate age verification - Riders impaired - Specific systemic issues **Against city / municipality:** - Pavement / road defects - Sidewalk maintenance - Specific public-property issues - Sometimes governmental immunity ## User agreement issues **Click-through agreements:** **Arbitration clauses:** - Force individual arbitration - Class-action waivers - Specific arbitration providers (AAA, JAMS) - Generally enforceable - Significant limitation **Liability limitations:** - Damages caps sometimes - Specific waiver of liability - Limited enforceability for negligence - Different states' rules **Forum selection:** - Often specific state - Specific procedures - Limited choice for plaintiff **Indemnification:** - Rider indemnifies scooter company - Specific scope - Often disputed ## Insurance considerations **Auto insurance:** - Rider's auto insurance often inapplicable - Specific exclusions for non-vehicle - Health insurance primary often **Health insurance:** - Pays rider's medical - Subrogation rights - Specific procedures **Homeowner's / renter's insurance:** - Sometimes covers liability - Specific to policy - Limited coverage **Scooter company insurance:** - Limited typically - Specific exclusions - Specific to coverage - Often inadequate **E-scooter rider's lack of insurance:** - Typically not insured for accidents they cause - Limited recovery available - Significant gap for victims **Pedestrian victims' UM/UIM:** - Sometimes coverage - Specific to policy - Specific to circumstances ## Local regulations **Vary widely:** **Helmet requirements:** - Some cities require - Often violated - Specific to local **Speed limits:** - Often 15-20 mph - Specific to area - Geofenced areas **Where to ride:** - Bike lanes (preferred) - Streets (sometimes) - Sidewalks (often prohibited) - Specific to local rules **Where to park:** - Specific designated areas - Sidewalk obstruction issues - Specific local rules **Age requirements:** - Typically 18+ - Some 16+ - Local variations **Driver's license requirement:** - Required by company terms - Often not actually verified - Specific to company ## Critical evidence **Immediately preserve:** **Scene evidence:** - Photos of e-scooter - Photos of injuries - Photos of scene - Witness contact info - Police report (if any) - Surveillance video - Specific damage **Scooter information:** - Specific scooter ID number - Specific QR code - Specific app information - GPS data (sometimes) - Maintenance records **App data:** - Trip records - Specific times - Specific locations - Speed data - Specific user info **Communications:** - With scooter company - With insurance - Specific reporting **Medical records:** - All treatment - Specific findings - Specific diagnostics - Specific treatment plan ## Statute of limitations **${s.name}-specific:** - Generally 1-3 years - Government claims (often shorter) - Specific to defendant type - Don't delay ## Damages **Standard PI damages:** - Past + future medical - Past + future lost wages - Diminished earning capacity - Pain & suffering - Mental anguish - Disfigurement - Loss of enjoyment of life - Specific damages **Wrongful death** if killed: - Funeral expenses - Lost financial support - Lost companionship - Specific damages ## Common defenses **By scooter company:** - User agreement / arbitration - Independent contractor argument - Specific waivers - Specific defenses - Comparative fault of rider **By rider:** - Comparative fault of victim - Specific intoxication issues - Specific behavior - Local rule violations ## Strategic considerations **For injured riders:** **1. Document everything immediately:** - Scene + scooter - Specific data - Witness info - Specific evidence **2. Review user agreement:** - Specific arbitration provisions - Specific waivers - Specific terms - Strategic implications **3. Multiple defendants:** - Pursue all potentially liable - Specific procedures - Specific insurance - Strategic considerations **For injured pedestrians:** **1. Identify rider:** - Specific app information - Specific subscription - Specific witness info - Specific identification **2. Pursue rider + company:** - Specific liability theories - Specific procedures - Specific damages **3. Document everything:** - Scene - Scooter - Specific damage - Specific injuries ## Class actions + systemic issues **Notable cases:** - Specific class actions filed - Specific corporate practices - Specific industry-wide issues - Active litigation **Issues being challenged:** - Inadequate maintenance - Inadequate identification - Inadequate retrieval - Specific systemic problems ## Recent developments **Trends:** **Insurance evolution:** - New product offerings - Specific coverage gaps - Specific rider insurance - Specific platforms **Regulation:** - More cities regulating - Specific safety requirements - Specific equipment standards - Specific company responsibilities **Litigation:** - Class action growth - Specific industry cases - Specific jury verdicts - Specific settlements ## What you should do If injured in e-scooter accident in California: preserve evidence immediately, get medical care, consult personal-injury attorney with e-scooter / rideshare experience. Many California PI attorneys handle these on contingency. User-agreement arbitration may apply — strategic considerations critical. --- *This guide is general information about California law as of mid-2026 and is not legal advice. E-scooter cases are technically complex. Talk to a licensed California personal-injury attorney about your specific situation.*