It can be hard to explore the cities in California because of its well-known car culture and the heavy traffic resulting from it. However, choosing an alternative method like a two-wheeler can help you navigate the endless traffic jams and significantly improve your experience. Today, electric scooters are a popular alternative mode of transportation across California. They are affordable, eco-friendly, and faster, but they are associated with increasing accidents and injuries. Most drivers and riders do not fully understand electric scooter laws, which can cause serious crashes. You should consult a reputable electric scooter accident attorney if you have suffered injuries in a scooter accident.

Understanding Electric Scooters And Why They Are Risky

Also known as motorized scooters, electric scooters are small two-wheeled vehicles powered by an electric motor. According to California law, a motorized scooter has handlebars and a floorboard to be stood upon when riding. They also travel at a maximum speed of 15 mph. Electric skateboards are not typically regulated as strictly under the CVC. Mopeds and e-bikes have clearer legal distinctions.

Electric scooters are designed for short-distance travel, and people often rent them through apps like Lime or Bird. Operators of these scooters must comply with local rules, wear helmets when mandated, and use designated bike paths or Class II lanes. Unfortunately, accidents occur because of riders failing to observe the rules. Some riders use the roads and sidewalks when scooter use is unsafe.

Drivers opening car doors, cracks in the pavement, or riders without a valid license can turn a quick trip into a fatal injury. Understanding how electric scooters work and following the laws can help protect the safety and rights of other road users.

The Common Electric Scooter Laws In California

The legislature enacted several electric scooter laws under the California Vehicle Code (CVC) to help prevent accidents and injuries. These laws govern rented or personally owned electric scooters. They include:

  1. Motor Vehicle Laws Apply To Scooters - Vehicle Code 21221

Electric scooter riders must follow the same rules as drivers, even if scooters are small. This means yielding the right-of-way, stopping at stop signs, and observing traffic signals. Scooters are treated in many ways as motor vehicles. For example, it is an offense to ride a scooter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Riding a motorized scooter under the influence is a crime under VC 21221. Violating this law can attract a fine that does not exceed $250. A person arrested for this violation can undergo a chemical test, but the penalties are limited and differ in severity.

Every person would be safe if these rules were observed. A scooter rider can be held responsible for any accident if he/she runs a red light or speed through a crosswalk. Understanding these laws helps all road users avoid accidents involving electric scooters.

  1. Electric Scooters Should Have Lights And Reflectors At Night - Vehicle Code 21223

Riding an electric scooter at night is more dangerous than during daylight hours. Poor visibility makes it hard for motorists to see small vehicles like electric scooters. California law requires electric scooters to be equipped with specific lights and reflectors to address this hazard. Lights and reflectors are often designed to enhance the visibility of the rider. These safety measures reduce collisions at nighttime and prevent possible injuries. An electric scooter must have the following:

  • Yellow or white reflectors on both sides, which can be seen from 200 feet
  • A red rear reflector that can be seen from 500 feet
  • A white front light that can be seen from 300 feet

The above safety measures are vital since they can protect the rider. The rider will be invisible at night without the right lighting, which can cause an accident, injuries, or death. A motorist might not be able to see the rider in time to stop or slow down. Visibility tools are crucial to electric scooter laws and can minimize the risks of nighttime accidents.

  1. Electric Scooter Use Is Limited By Road Type - Vehicle Code 21224

Electric scooters are restricted under VC 21224 regarding where they can be operated, focusing on the rider's safety. This statute aims to reduce the risk of collisions by preventing scooter riders from riding on roads where cars are driven at high speeds. In this case, scooter riders are only allowed on lower-speed roadways or streets with designated bicycle lanes. The following are some of the roads that scooter riders can use:

  • Roads with a speed limit of 25mph or less
  • Any road that has a Class II bike lane. This can be a painted lane for scooters or bikes.

Electric scooters are prohibited on main roads because motorists often do not expect them. A driver might not have time to react or move over if a scooter rider appears in areas without a bicycle path. These restrictions are part of electric scooter statutes that ensure traffic is organized and riders are safe.

  1. Electric Scooters Must Have A Safe Stopping System - Vehicle Code 21227

There is a big difference between a close call and a serious crash if a scooter rider can stop immediately. California law demands that every electric scooter have proper and functional brakes to stop the scooter immediately on dry pavement. An electric scooter should also shut off automatically when the rider applies the brakes or when the throttle is released. This helps the rider to gain full control during an emergency stop. The equipment must meet the required safety standards, whether the scooter belongs to the rider or he/she has been hired.

A scooter with defective or dysfunctional brakes can crash into a pedestrian, a stationary object, a parked vehicle, or even collide with a moving car. Scooter riders are often not responsible for accidents caused by faulty brakes. The company that owns and maintains the scooter can be held responsible for any accident if the scooter brakes fail, especially if it has been hired through an app.

  1. E-Scooters Must Walk At Left Turns At Intersections - Vehicle Code 21228

It is not simple or safe to turn left on a scooter. Crossing several lanes of traffic can be risky because electric scooters are smaller and less visible. A scooter rider must take a different and safer approach to protect him/herself and other road users. He/she must do the following instead of turning directly into traffic:

  • Stop at the right curb
  • Get off the scooter
  • Walk across the street using the crosswalk

The above simple guidelines can help a scooter rider avoid dangerous moves in busy intersections with speeding or turning vehicles. A common risky situation for scooter riders is turning left in front of traffic. Walking a scooter across the street helps minimize the chances of fatal crashes and keeps motorists and scooter riders safer.

  1. Electric Scooters And Bikes Must Share The Bicycle Lane - Vehicle Code 21229

Bike lanes are often safer for electric scooter riders, particularly on busy roads. The law requires scooter riders to use Class II bike lanes whenever available. These lanes separate slower-moving e-scooters or bikes from faster trucks and cars. A bike lane allows riders a clear path and sufficient space to avoid sudden collisions or obstacles. It also separates riders from normal roads, where the motorists cannot see them in time to brake or slow down. Adhering to this law is the only way to prevent fatal crashes.

  1. Children Must Put On Helmets - Vehicle Code 21235(c)

The legislature enacted VC 21235(c) specifically for e-scooters that have the following:

  • An electric motor
  • Handlebars, and
  • A floorboard

One of the provisions under this law requires riders below 18 years to wear a bicycle helmet while on an electric scooter. Additionally, the helmet must fit properly and be fastened. Adults are allowed to operate electric scooters without wearing a helmet. However, companies like Spin, Bird, and Lime only allow people wearing helmets to operate an electric scooter. People who ride without a helmet do so at their own risk. You can face a fine of up to $200 if you violate Vehicle Code 21235(c)

  1. Stay Off The Sidewalks And Have A Valid License - Vehicle Code 21235

Apart from requiring electric scooter riders to wear a helmet, VC 21235 prohibits the following:

  • Operating an electric scooter on the sidewalk
  • Operating an E-scooter without a valid driver’s license

A rider can only be allowed to ride on the sidewalk when parking the scooter or getting a parked scooter onto the street. A rider can also ride a scooter when he/she has a valid learner's or driver’s license. Violating VC 21235 is punishable with traffic tickets, often costing $200.

Other e-scooter laws include the following:

No Passengers Allowed - Vehicle Code 21235

It is an offense under VC 21235 for a rider to engage in double or tandem riding on electric scooters. The law allows only one rider at a time on an electric scooter. The scooter can lose stability and control, increasing the risk if a rider carries a passenger.

Maximum Speed Is 15 mph—Vehicle Code 22411

The designated speed for electric scooters is covered under VC 22411. Under this law, riders must ride scooters at a speed of not more than 15 mph. A violation of this law can attract a traffic stop and a ticket that often costs up to $250. E-scooter sharing companies like Bird and Lime often set their scooters to 15 mph. However, the scooter can go faster if a rider accelerates while going down the hill.

Charging An Electric Scooter

The following conditions should be created to ensure that an electric scooter is charged optimally:

The Right Charger

Use an original charger while charging an electric scooter because the battery can be damaged if an incompatible charger is used.

Avoid Overcharging

Unplug the charger once the battery is fully charged to avoid overcharging. The charger or battery can be damaged because of excessive charging.

Room Temperature

Electric scooters require a room temperature while charging. The battery may be damaged or underperform in extreme temperatures

Dry Environment

Charge an electric scooter in a dry area. Avoid charging an electric scooter in snow, rain, or wet conditions.

Common Causes Of Electric Scooter Accidents

Electric scooters provide easy and convenient transportation. Unfortunately, they come with serious risks, particularly when motorists or riders fail to follow safety rules. Scooter crashes are not random; they occur because someone was distracted, careless, or riding in an unsafe area. Recognizing the causes of these accidents can help prevent them and make it easy to establish the party at fault if you are injured. The following are the common causes of electric scooter accidents:

  • Motorists opening their doors into the path of a scooter, also called a “dooring” crash.
  • Poor road conditions, like uneven pavement, cracks, or potholes, that throw riders off balance
  • Operating scooters on the sidewalks, where they can collide with obstacles or pedestrians
  • Riders without a helmet or a valid license, who can be inexperienced and potentially get hurt
  • Faulty lights or brakes on rental scooters that have not been maintained properly
  • Distracted motorists who fail to see the scooter in time or fail to check their blind spots

Each of the above factors is preventable, but can lead to serious injuries if traffic rules are violated. You have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation if someone else’s carelessness causes you to suffer injuries in a scooter crash.

Injuries You Can Suffer In An Electric Scooter Accident

Riding an electric scooter can be hazardous to a person's health and even cause loss of life. Injuries resulting from scooter accidents range from minor to major, life-changing, or life-threatening injuries. The following are the common injuries you can suffer in a scooter accident:

  • Lacerations where you can suffer a deep cut or gash on your body
  • Sprains and strains occur when the ligament that connects your joints and bones gets torn. Your muscles or tendons can also get injured, causing you to feel pain and swelling.
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ injuries, and
  • Fractured or broken bones

How A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help After Your Involvement In An Electric Scooter Accident

Riding an electric scooter often starts as a simple trip, but sometimes it can turn out tragic, leaving you struggling to recover. This can be from painful injuries to escalating medical bills and missed paychecks. The aftermath of an electric scooter accident can be financially and physically draining. You will experience more stress if you try to navigate insurance claims and legal deadlines without help, particularly when recovery should be your priority. In this situation, you need the help of an attorney who can handle the burden as you focus on your healing. A skilled personal injury attorney can create a strong claim and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. An attorney can help you in the following ways:

  • Thoroughly investigate the crash, including reviewing the surveillance footage, witnesses' statements, and police reports.
  • Gather vital evidence like scooter maintenance histories and medical records.
  • Handle all communication with your insurer to protect yourself from denied claims or lowball offers.
  • Negotiate for fair and full compensation, including therapy costs, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, emotional distress, lost wages, future income loss, and medical expenses.

Your attorney will help you identify the party at fault and hold them accountable, whether your injuries were caused by a negligent driver or a defective scooter.

Determining Liability In An Electric Scooter Accident

Determining who is legally at fault after a scooter accident is often hard. Some accidents can appear unavoidable but often result from someone’s negligence, such as a rider, driver, or another party. The following are the parties who will be held accountable for a scooter accident:

  • The scooter operator, if he/she was riding on a red light or sidewalk, or failed to follow local scooter rules
  • A motorist can be cited for failing to yield the right-of-way, opening a door without checking for riders, or driving while distracted.
  • The scooter manufacturer is investigating a defect in the braking system, battery, or electric motor that caused the crash.
  • The company would be liable if it did not fix or inspect a scooter with faulty tires, lights, or brakes.
  • Government agencies fail to maintain safe roads or allow risky conditions like missing signage or potholes.

Find A Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

Electric scooters are a common means of transport in California because most people find them convenient and easy to navigate in traffic. However, e-scooter accidents have become more common, mainly because most road users do not understand e-scooter laws. Under California law, laws that apply to motor vehicles, including DUI laws, also apply to e-scooters. E-scooters must be used in designated places, should not exceed the allowed speed limits, and should not have passengers.

If you suffer injuries in an e-scooter accident, the effects can be detrimental, and you should seek the help of an attorney to help you seek compensation. The Personal Injury Law Firm has experienced attorneys who understand e-scooter laws and can help you seek compensation for your damages. Contact us today at 800-492-6718 to speak to one of our attorneys.