What To Do After Being Injured on an E-Scooter

E-scooters in the Bay Area have grown increasingly popular in recent years. Residents and tourists alike use them for sightseeing, commuting to work, running errands, or simply navigating the urban roads more efficiently. However, 2022 data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that this rise in popularity has brought with it a 22% increase in e-scooter-related injuries. 

The potential outcomes and injuries of an e-scooter accident can vary drastically and heavily depend on the contributing factors of the incident itself. However, it is important that you understand your rights and understand how to pursue compensation if you were injured. To learn more, call our team of San Francisco e-scooter accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 to discover the true value of your case. 

What to do After a Bay Area Scooter Accident? 

After a Bay Area scooter accident, there are measures that our attorneys recommend you take to protect your own health and wellbeing while also preserving evidence of your accident and the injuries it caused. After an e-scooter accident, you should:  

• Get to Safety. If you can do so safely, remove yourself from the accident site and evaluate yourself for injuries.  
• Call Emergency Services. Contacting emergency services is necessary to ensure that you and anyone else involved in the crash are safe and receive immediate medical attention.  
• Report the Accident. Notify your local police of the accident so that you will have official police documentation of the incident. This police report can serve as evidence that accurately accounts what happened during the incident.
• Document the Scene. Pictures and videos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and any property damage are useful pieces of evidence when pursuing a personal injury claim after an e-scooter crash. Additionally, reaching out to nearby property owners who may have cameras can also provide you with additional documentation of the events leading up to, and during, the crash.   
• Seek Medical Attention. A medical evaluation is critical to your health, even if you feel fine. Some accident injuries, like internal bleeding and concussions, are not always immediately apparent and often require a doctor’s diagnosis.
• Contact a Lawyer. After getting a medical evaluation and gathering evidence, speak with an e-scooter accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience successfully handling personal injury cases and will be able to provide you with unmatched legal guidance.

How Do I Pursue Compensation for My Child? 

A qualified adult, otherwise known as a “next friend,” can file a claim on the injured child’s behalf. This person is typically a parent(s) or a legal guardian. However, it is important to know that local laws can impact who a child’s “next friend” is and it may end up being a court-appointed attorney or a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL).

A GAL doesn’t necessarily replace the child’s “next friend”, but rather appears independently to represent the injured child in court. This person answers to the court, rather than the parent(s), or attorney who filed the claim. 

Additionally, it’s important that you understand the California statute of limitations, which is the time you have for filing a claim. California’s statute of limitations for filing a child personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident or two years from the date of their 18th birthday. It is critical to the validity of your child’s claim that you have a trusted personal injury attorney at The Barnes Firm working on the case as soon as possible. 

When filing a claim, you must be able to prove negligence on the other party’s behalf. To establish negligence, the injured child’s representative must prove: 

• Duty of Care. The at-fault party or entity had a duty of care to avoid harming the now-injured child.
• Breach of Duty. By breaching or neglecting their duty of care in some way, the at-fault party or entity failed to do what anyone in their position should have done to avoid the accident. 
• Causation. Your child’s injuries were sustained because of the at-fault party or entity’s breach of duty of care.
• Damages. Verifiable injuries, supported by medical records and expenses, and emotional damage were the result of the at-fault party or entity’s negligence.

Effectively proving this and filing a claim on your child’s behalf requires the knowledge and skillset of a personal injury attorney. Call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 and claim your free case evaluation. It could be the best call you make.

How Do I Report An E-Scooter Accident? 

Reporting an e-scooter accident case often means you will need to file a report to your local police and the e-scooter rental company.  

Police Reports

Filing a police report is necessary for any type of accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. If you can, contact the police at the accident scene and file a report once they arrive. Doing so establishes an official record of the crash and protects your rights to take legal action against liable parties. Failing to report your accident in a timely fashion may impede your ability to pursue compensation later, so it’s crucial to file reports as soon as you are able to. Additionally, ask for a copy of this report as evidence that may help you file a claim later. 

Scooter Rental Company Reports 

To file a report with the e-scooter rental company, you will need to follow the procedures they have in place. Most rental companies have online forms or hotlines designated for reports. Remember to include necessary details in your report, including the e-scooter ID number, time and location of the crash, and a description of what happened. It is wise to maintain copies of any forms or correspondence between you and the e-scooter rental company. 

Common Injuries From E-Scooter Accidents 

Although e-scooters typically can’t reach excessive speeds, they can still cause significant injuries, and even fatalities, when involved in an accident. Injuries sustained from these accidents can range from minor to severe, depending on the circumstances of the crash itself. Our San Francisco e-scooter accident attorneys have found that the following injuries are commonly sustained from e-scooter crashes: 

• Broken bones and fractures 
• Concussions 
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) 
• Wounds and lacerations 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Bruising 
• Scarring 
• Internal organ damage 

Regardless of what type of injuries you sustained from an e-scooter accident, you may pursue compensation for those injuries and any associated medical expenses. Additionally, you may even be able to pursue damages for lost wages from missed time at work and more. However, determining liability first is crucial to determining the compensation you may pursue. 

Who Is Liable for My E-Scooter Accident? 

E-scooter crashes can become complex, especially in scenarios where multiple parties share responsibility. Our team of California personal injury lawyers have found that liable parties in e-scooter crashes may include:  

• Motorists. This includes negligent individuals driving cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  
• E-Scooter Manufacturers. When e-scooters malfunction and cause a crash, then the e-scooter manufacturer may be liable.  
• Vehicle Manufacturers. If a motorist’s vehicle malfunctioned and caused them to hit you, then the manufacturer can be held responsible for your accident.  
• Government Entities. Uneven roads, potholes, fading lane markers, or other road issues may have contributed to your accident. If so, the government entity responsible for maintaining streets and roadways may be held liable.  
• E-Scooter Riders. If you or another person riding an e-scooter violated traffic laws or drove recklessly, then liability for the accident may fall on the rider.  

It’s important to understand California’s comparative negligence rule, which means multiple parties, including you, can share liability for the accident. If multiple parties are found to be at-fault for an accident, then each party is assigned a degree of liability based on their role in the incident. Your degree of liability directly impacts how much compensation you’re able to recover. In these scenarios, it’s advisable to speak with a San Francisco e-scooter accident attorney who understands California laws and has the knowledge to determine liability.

After an E-Scooter Crash, Contact The Barnes Firm  

If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-scooter accident, contact San Francisco’s trusted e-scooter accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm. While you focus on recovery, we’ll handle the legal aspects of your case and help you get the best result possible. Call our office today at (800) 800-0000 to claim your FREE consultation today.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes