When electric scooters hit the streets in San Francisco they promised to fill a niche in micro-mobility for commuters and shoppers in the city. Judging from the popularity of the program evidenced by the usage of the scooters, many would call it a success.
However, less than a year into the 12-month program that brought 3,500 scooters to the city streets from four different scooter companies, one problem is becoming apparent is the number and severity of accidents.
At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we represent injured cyclists and scooter riders who are trying to get justice and fair compensation for their injuries after an accident. We understand the frustration of fighting against large corporations and insurance companies.
Dangers of Scooter Riding
When things go well, riding a scooter across the city is a fun way to get to work, go shopping or just ride around. However, there are many dangers hidden to the novice scooter rider, and in the blink of a moment, someone’s life can be changed forever
- Potholes: Potholes are dangerous for bike riders and motorists, however, because of their small tire size, potholes are especially dangerous for scooter tires.
- Sidewalks: The City of Oakland prohibits scooters on their sidewalks which means that riders are supposed to ride in the street on the right-hand side. However, many scooter riders don’t feel safe on the street, so they ride on the sidewalk wich can pose hazards to the rider.
- Bike Lanes: It’s ok to use the bike lane, but for scooter riders, these pose dangers as they have to share them with cyclists. And bike lanes are notorious for being misused by motorists and delivery drivers.
- Motor Vehicles: One of the biggest dangers to a scooter rider is the much heavier automobile. The average passenger car weighs around 3,500 lbs, and the average scooter rider is under 200 lbs. This wight and mass disparity poses a serious threat to scooter riders.
Scooter Accident Injuries
In most severe scooter accidents, the rider is ejected from the scooter and hits the pavement. So the type of accident will lead to common injuries. For example, hitting a pothole might send the rider over the handlebars and hit their head, hands, or elbows on the pavement and then suffer an injury.
The injuries might range from scrapes and bruises to fractures and head injuries. Some of the most common of these are:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Broken Facial Bones
- Broken Teeth
- Broken Wrists
- Shattered Knee/Elbows
- Broken Ribs
- Deep Lacerations
- Severe Road Rash
At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we are experienced in all types of injuries and know what it will take to get you full and fair compensation for your scooter injuries. Not all types of injuries are the same, and we tailor our settlement and claim for damages on what’s best for the client in light of their injuries and the impact of the injuries on their life.
Getting Hit by a Scooter
Not all accidents happen the same way, and when it comes to scooters rideshare programs, injuries aren’t limited to the scooter riders, but sometimes pedestrians and cyclists as well. Many scooter riders use the sidewalk even though it’s prohibited in some areas. Because of this, pedestrians are at high risk of an injury. A common scenario is where a person comes out of a store, and a scooter rider isn’t able to stop in time and then hits the pedestrian.
Other times cyclists and even other scooter riders will get tangled up with a scooter which can cause significant injury to the victim. Whatever the case is, we stand ready to help those who have been injured because of a scooter.
Contact a Bike Accident Lawyer
Bay Area Bicycle Law works with clients all over the State of California and is one of the state’s only personal injury law firms working exclusively with injured cyclists.
We handle cases in your area, and there are many benefits to working with a specialist.
Years of advocacy for bicycle crash victims have seasoned our attorneys with the necessary skills to handle bicycle accident cases with the utmost level of professional expertise. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest. Contact us today for a free consultation.