Stressed About Your San Francisco Scooter Accident?
Were you in a California electric scooter accident but you’re not sure what to do next? Maybe it’s the first scooter you’ve ever owned, the first time you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, and the first time you’ve even considered hiring a personal injury attorney!
We get it. At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we work with plenty of severely injured scooter riders who are struggling through situations like yours. We’d love to help you get through this challenging time and provide legal advice to get you the resources you need to recover from your accident.
Our San Francisco scooter accident team appreciates that you were just trying to find an economical and Earth-friendly way to get around the city. Scooters are fast and fun to ride – until you’re in an accident that changes your whole life.
Here in California, scooter accidents and injuries are on the rise. While all road accidents are unfortunate, scooter accidents are often among the most severe because your body is so exposed to the impacts of a crash. Even a low-speed crash can cause severe injuries or death.
This page is dedicated to helping San Francisco people who are injured while riding scooters, mopeds, Vespas, and other small electric vehicles. We want to help you understand your options after a severe road accident, especially one where you have serious injuries and need to seek financial resources to pay your bills and recover from your accident.
Right here in San Francisco, injured scooter users are securing high-value accident settlements with the help of the sympathetic team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. Here’s what you need to know about scooter law, making insurance claims, negotiating with the other side, and protecting your rights after an accident.
GET STARTED WITH YOUR FREE CONSULTATION AND CASE EVALUATIONYou’ve no doubt noticed that other drivers barely see scooters on our streets. Someone who’s driving a huge SUV or semi-truck may be oblivious to a little two-wheeled scooter riding right next to them. Suddenly, BAM! You’re hit.
Scooters bring positives and negatives to San Francisco. Our city suffers from the “last mile problem,” where it’s relatively easy to get within a mile of your destination, then extremely difficult to get through the congestion to complete the last mile. Scooters offer a great solution to this issue.
However, more scooters on the road also lead to more scooter accidents. Not everyone understands the rules of the road for scooters and many other vehicles’ drivers don’t care about the rules, feel entitled to the road, and create situations where a scooter rider can be severely injured.
Here are some of the reasons people are choosing scooters over other forms of transportation in San Francisco.
Of the top 250 brands of scooters in the United States, the least fuel-efficient models still get 50 miles per gallon or more. The most fuel-efficient models can go for up to 144 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Compare that to a nationwide average of just 25 mpg for passenger cars and even less for SUVs, trucks, and vans. Plus, some scooters are fully electric and free you from using gasoline forever.
Fuel efficiency also translates into a smaller carbon footprint, which is good for the planet. The average gasoline-powered scooter releases only a fraction of the carbon dioxide a car produces. And again, many new electric scooters are extremely Earth-friendly.
In high-density areas like San Francisco, parking can be a real struggle. Scooters fit nearly anywhere and some are even small enough that they can even be brought inside if there’s no parking available on the street.
These machines aren’t as complex as most motorcycles. Instead of a manual clutch and gears, scooters most often have automatic transmissions. Turn it on and ride.
Choosing a scooter over a car can save you money. A scooter is less expensive than a car and can be cheaper than a bus pass depending on how often you ride and where you need to go. A scooter ride is also much easier and less expensive than calling an Uber or a taxi every time you need to travel.
Construction damage to road surface A 40 year-old a self-employed graphic artist was riding his scooter on a small side street in San Francisco just a block from his home.
In order to get a clearer picture of scooter accidents, it may help to clear up some confusion about classification. Legally speaking, a “scooter” is a two-wheeled vehicle (gas or electric) with a top speed of 20 MPH. That’s not the type of vehicle we normally picture when we hear the word “scooter.” In fact, many people picture the sleek, high powered machines with 150—260cc engines—comparable to full-sized motorcycles. And, indeed, that’s exactly what they are—motorcycles with “step-through frames”.
Here are the Legal Classification of Scooters:
Some California cities have found that scooters replace up to 1 million rides that otherwise would have been taken with a car or other vehicle. But is riding a scooter safe? That depends on how you look at it.
Today’s scooters pack a lot of punch into their tiny frames. They’re high-powered compared to their predecessors in the 1970s and 1980s, giving some people a false impression about their safety. This misunderstanding about the dangers may, in turn, put you at greater risk of being involved in a San Francisco scooter accident.
Some modern scooters are legally classified as motorcycles with engines large enough to propel their riders at highway speeds or faster. They’re marketed as lighter versions of motorcycles so they seem more approachable to the public. This may entice those with no previous motorbike experience to grab the handlebars.
A study by the University of California-San Francisco found that the number of scooter injuries jumped 222% over a four-year period. And the number of scooter injuries requiring a hospital admission grew by 365% over the same period. Ride a scooter at your own risk.
Ridesharing is a very popular service in San Francisco and you’ll see Uber passengers jumping in and out of cars almost everywhere in the city. Sometimes an Uber driver doesn’t see a scooter rider or doesn’t care, and causes an accident.
If an Uber hits you while you’re on your scooter, you can start a claim with Uber and try to get Uber insurance to pay for it. California law requires rideshare companies to hold $1 million insurance policies, so you may be able to collect on a claim. If not, you may have to sue the Uber driver individually and hope they have the financial resources to pay for your damages.
If a San Francisco delivery truck hits you, or if a semi-truck driver crashes into you, the result could be severe bodily harm. You’ll be lucky to survive an accident like this.
You can start a claim with the trucking company because these companies hold huge insurance policies for situations like these. However, you will likely need the help of an experienced lawyer who knows how to handle a complex trucking company claim.
What about a motorcycle vs. scooter accident? Motorcycle accidents have a few differences from other accidents, but generally, the idea is the same – you can file an insurance claim or sue for your damages.
Motorcyclists must abide by the rules of the road and they’re required to have insurance. You may be able to recover compensation if a motorcyclist injures you.
When your accident involves a pedestrian, you’ll likely both have injuries that need medical attention. But don’t assume that the whole accident is your fault just because the other person was a pedestrian.
Although it’s your duty to beware of pedestrians and avoid getting into collisions with them, pedestrians have to follow the law just like everyone else. Your lawyer may be able to help you show that the pedestrian was partially or fully to blame for your accident.
With so many scooters on the roads in San Francisco, you could collide with another scooter rider in a crash. Plus, not every scooter user is as careful as you are!
We’d caution you to enlist the help of a San Francisco scooter accident lawyer who specializes in these kinds of accidents. Don’t assume just any lawyer can handle it because you need someone with a proven track record of successful scooter claims.
Unfortunately, you could be the victim of a drunk driver or a drugged driver who smashes into your scooter in San Francisco. These accidents can be catastrophic because the person who’s under the influence has reduced awareness and reaction time.
You will probably need a lawyer’s help to track down the evidence you need to show the other person was under the influence. You may need police reports, criminal histories, witness accounts, and other information that supports your case.
Distracted driving is on the rise across the U.S., mostly due to smartphones and other electronic devices that take drivers’ eyes off the road. If you believe your scooter accident is related to distracted driving, speak to your attorney about gathering evidence that shows the other driver’s distraction.
Chances are you’ve landed on this page because you have already suffered a scooter accident in San Francisco, so you don’t want advice on how to avoid an accident that already happened. So let’s focus on common types of accidents that involve personal injury claims.
A scooter rider is more than twice as likely as a bicyclist to have head injuries during a head-on collision. Head-on collisions are common in scooter accidents because when another vehicle does something unexpected, it’s hard for you to avoid hitting them head-on.
Other motorists seem to have a hard time seeing scooters making left-hand turns across traffic. When they’re approaching you from the opposite direction, they may not see the lights and reflectors on your scooter.
Scooter riders sometimes hit stationary objects that are unavoidable. But it’s not always the scooter rider’s fault. For example, you may be able to make a claim against someone who opens their car door into your lane and causes you to swerve into a stationary object to avoid hitting the door. Or you may have a claim against the city for leaving construction debris in the road.
BROKEN BONES
INJURIES REQUIRING SURGERY
OVERNIGHT HOSPITALIZATION
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
WRONGFUL DEATH
Now that you know how to find the best scooter accident lawyer to represent your case to insurance companies, defense attorneys, and in California courtrooms, it's time to get in touch with us. You can request a free case evaluation online right now. Find out here if we are a good fit for you and your case. Check out how the process works with us as your lawyers. From the age of 15, Sally Morin rode a moped - first a little yellow moped with pedals, followed by a 50cc scooter, then a 150cc Honda Elite, then finally a motorcycle when she moved to San Francisco to study law. This is why she’s so familiar with how scooter accidents occur, how motorists try to evade liability, and the challenges injured victims face. You’ll find a sympathetic group of talented lawyers at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. If you need to file a scooter accident claim, or if someone you love was injured in a scooter accident, contact us as soon as possible for a FREE online case evaluation.
A new California scooter bill requires companies to carry $1 million in insurance for scooter accidents. That’s good news for injured victims because it means there’s a pool of money available to cover your injuries after an accident. However, it’s sometimes difficult to get companies to pay out on claims. The major scooter companies worked to remove a line from the bill that would have prevented liability waivers. This means you may have signed something that says they’re not responsible for your accident. Still, these waivers don’t always hold up in court and you shouldn’t be afraid to pursue an accident claim. Talk to a lawyer about whether you have a good case for compensation and whether you may be able to claim insurance money for your accident.
Sometimes no amount of preparation or safe riding can keep you from getting into an accident - especially one that’s the fault of another driver. In cases like this, riders need to take certain steps to safeguard their legal rights to compensation. When it comes to a scooter accident, the cards are stacked against you. Police officers, motorists, and even witnesses can be biased against those of us traveling on two wheels. Protecting your rights comes down to doing the right things from the moment your scooter accident happens. Here are some tips for doing the right things after a San Francisco scooter crash:
Get a police report— One of the key components of demonstrating both liability and the fact that you were injured during a scooter crash is to immediately call the police to the scene of the accident. Never delay in doing this, even if the other party insists since it will make it more difficult for the police to fill out their accident report. Also, do not leave the scene of the accident until after the police have completed their investigation and documentation of the accident and you have gotten the police report number and the name of any police officers responding to the crash. Make sure that you provide a copy of the resulting accident report to any scooter accident attorney with whom you consult.
Don’t share your photos or videos— Give your photos and videos of the accident scene to your lawyer, but don’t share them online or show them to anyone else. Photos can be of immense value as evidence of damages and liability. Not only do you need photos of the accident itself, but try to get photos of the road conditions and the weather conditions at the time. Give your lawyer photos of all of the vehicles involved, the intersection or location where the accident occurred, the signage in that location, and any stoplights. Gather video evidence from nearby neighbors, businesses, and government buildings with the help of your lawyer.
Save and research the driver’s information— If you were hit on your scooter by a negligent driver, hang on to the driver’s name, phone number, insurance information, and physical address. This includes their license plate, insurance card, and license. Stay on top of where they’re located, in case they move or try to avoid you. Your lawyer can help you accomplish this.
Contact witnesses with care— Witness statements are a crucial part of your case, but it’s tricky to interact with them in a way that supports your case and doesn’t create pitfalls. Provide their contact information to your lawyer and avoid speaking with them directly.
Save your bills and documentation— Avoid the temptation to throw away bills and other documents out of frustration. You’ll need it all to prove your injuries and the compensation you’re due. Continue seeing your doctors and don’t skip appointments. Consistency in treatment, including proof of treatment, is key in the time period after your accident.
"I highly recommend Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers to anyone who's looking for professional, compassionate, competent, and reliable representation. I was involved in a motorcycle accident three years back, and it was thanks to their hard work that I was able to get some closure and the proper compensation to move on."
Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers can handle the convoluted legal red tape involved in your claim so that you can put all of your focus and energy on recovering from your injuries. With a trustworthy, experienced scooter crash lawyer on your side, there is no reason to worry and stress about your situation. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss everything that is going to occur over the following weeks and months. This includes the potential outcome that you can expect from your case, as well as things that you might be able to do to strengthen your claim. Next, we will investigate the crash itself, gathering the valuable evidence you will need for your case so that you will have the best possible chance of succeeding and getting you the settlement you deserve. We know how to create a strong, solid case for compensation.
"Sally was easily reachable, very forthcoming about her experience with cases like mine, and very flexible with her schedule. She made a house call to get the case started and explained the contract point-by-point before we moved forward. She worked hard to build the best case for me and in the end the outcome was exactly what we expected. I always felt at the top of her list regardless of how many clients she had and was very responsive to all of my calls and emails. I would recommend Sally to anyone who needs an advocate in their corner, regardless of their own experience with serious events like this."
If you’re injured in a California scooter accident by the negligence of another motorist, you could very well be entitled to financial compensation. The best way to go about getting proper compensation for your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering is to file a scooter accident claim with the proper insurance company involved in your accident.
Read on to learn more about how scooter accidents work and how to start the scooter accident claims process. You can also contact us now to find out if you have a valid scooter accident claim and whether you need a scooter accident lawyer to assist you in getting maximum compensation for your accident.
Complete Guide on what to do after an accident in San Francisco
Some of what you will get in this guide:
If you're someone who is considering an attorney for a personal accident, I highly recommend Sally Morin and her professional staff of attorneys. If you would like to know more details, feel free to contact me via Yelp and I would be happy to share more details. While I use Yelp quite often, I rarely post reviews... unless I'm truly blown away by great service (or angry with horrible service). If there were a sixth star, I would certainly give it to Rebecca and Sally!
Video Transcript
Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is an all female team of customer-focused, five-star California personal injury attorneys who exclusively handle traffic accident settlement negotiation. They have California offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Oakland.