San Francisco Rental Scooter Accident Lawyer

Everywhere you go, you can see the emerging trend of dockless scooters taking over metropolitan areas. Even though many e-scooters are banned in some cities, this emerging industry has become a big business for some companies. For example, according to a 2018 article from CNN Tech, companies like Bird, an s scooter rental service provider, have become valued at over two billion dollars. Part of the reason for this substantial growth is due to a lack of regulations and city planning. For example, according to a 2018 video report from Vox, some urban planners blame poor city planning for dockless scooter injuries. As a result of this confusion over electronic rental scooters, pedestrians deal with e-scooters cluttering up sidewalks and negligent scooter drivers traveling too fast, sometimes causing injury to themselves and others. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, a San Francisco rental scooter accident lawyer from our firm can help.

Many cities have not updated their sidewalk safety measures since the late 1930’s. If you have been injured while riding an electronic scooter, or if someone has caused you harm from negligent driving practices while operating an e-scooter, Mary Alexander and Associates, P.C. can help. Since opening the doors to our California personal injury law firm, our legal team has helped wrongfully injured clients reach multi-million dollar settlements that help them recover from past, present and future damages. Due to our years of experience, we have developed reliable and varied legal strategies that can protect your best interests, no matter the circumstances.

What Are Common Causes of Rental Scooter Accidents?

All too often, rental scooter accidents are the direct result of someone acting negligently. Negligent behavior could be displayed by another driver, failing to operate their vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner; or, alternatively, it could be the fault of a negligent vehicle manufacturer who failed to design and build a safe part or system. Our firm is experienced identifying possible contributions to an accident, some involving:

Fatigued Driving: Distracted driving can take many forms. For example, a commercial vehicle, tractor-trailer or truck can be devastating if operated by a fatigued driver. Some driver inattention, like drowsy driving, can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.
Driver Inexperience: Driving a rental scooter is often a new experience for most customers. Since this is the case, inexperienced drivers may make quick, amateur decisions during bad weather or while traversing poor public road or walkway conditions.
Poor Business Practices: Sometimes a local economy is hurt by poor business practices present in the community. According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, lawsuits against rental scooter companies are already emerging.
Defective Rental Scooter Products: As mentioned above, reports are starting to emerge about defective scooters being released from scooter manufacturers. By drafting clear and legal guidelines for manufacturing, a large portion of injuries can be avoided. However, until these guidelines for scooter manufactures exist, it is best to exercise caution while on a dockless scooter.

What Are San Francisco’s Guidelines for Motorized Scooters?

While California rental scooter networks are an emerging field, there are still some regulations that a scooter operator must adhere to. Knowing these rules can help determine if a person was negligent when operating his or her scooter at the time of the accident. For example, if you were injured by someone driving a motorized scooter on the sidewalk, then you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. This is because it is illegal to operate a scooter on the sidewalk.

Alternatively, if someone claims you were driving a rental scooter illegally, it can be beneficial to know the guidelines and rules to protect yourself. However, keep in mind the California rental scooter law is changing rapidly as the industry becomes more and more understood and will vary depending on the city. As of 2018, the current laws include parameters involving:

Age: To drive any motorized scooter, you must be at least 16 years old. Anyone who drives a rental scooter under this age is operating a motor vehicle illegally and will be punished if caught.
Safety: The speed limit for any motorized scooter is 15 miles per hour (MPH). Scooters may not be driven on any street with a speed limit or 25 MPH or higher and cannot be driven on sidewalks. Additionally, helmets are required as well as working front lights and front and rear reflectors.
Permit: In addition to age restrictions, there are permit requirements. Much like driving an automobile, scooter drivers must have a valid license or instructional permit to operate a motorized scooter.

Injured in a Rental Scooter Accident in California? Call Our Firm for a Free Consultation

Involved in a rental scooter accident? Unfortunately, without a qualified legal professional, it can be difficult to receive fair compensation for damages. You may be offered a settlement that cannot pay for any repairs, you have likely lost wages from not being able to work and have to contend with paying for medical care on top of it all. Know that you do not have to go through this situation alone. An attorney from our firm believes that no one should fall victim to another person’s negligence. Whether you need immediate representation or a review of your current claim, we can help.

At Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C., we’ve been litigating motor vehicle crashes of all types for over 30 years. We have helped clients in Oakland, San Jose, San Mateo and the surrounding areas. Our success stems from our experience, compassion and relationship with our clients. We understand what it takes to give our clients the results — and the answers — that they deserve. Our strategies involve blending legal and technical knowledge to explain complex concepts to juries that strengthen and uphold your case. We can highlight the facts that support a claim that works in your best interests.

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