Electric Scooters & California Law

 Although the introduction of shared electric scooters onto the streets of California was met with controversy, with some cities banning them (e.g., Beverly Hills) and others opting to allow them with regulations (Los Angeles), they appear to be here to stay.

In fact, the state has formally declared its support for electric motorized scooters as an alternative low-emission or no-emission form of transportation.

But the question of who pays for the medical bills, lost income and physical and mental changes in life suffered by the accident victim or their loved ones is more complicated than it seems at first blush. Although there can be other sources of recovery, the major ones are the careless scooter rider, the scooter rental company as owner of the scooter, and possibly the auto insurance of the victim.

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illegally riding a shared electric scooter on the sidewalk

  You stop at your local florist to buy some flowers on your way home from work. You exit the store and as you are walking to your car, you are clobbered from behind by someone illegally riding a shared electric scooter on the sidewalk. Knocked to the ground, you are in shock and your leg hurts. You look around and see the person who ran into you pick up the electric scooter and ride away. At least you saw the color and brand markings on the scooter. A good Samaritan helps you get up, but you can’t walk due to pain in your knee. Your spouse arrives and takes you to the hospital where you are told you’ve torn up ligaments and cartilage and will require surgery followed by weeks of therapy. You won’t be able to return to work for six to eight weeks and you likely will have degenerative changes in your knee that you otherwise would not have had without the trauma.
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Are Scooter Companies Liable?

  Although a claim can be pursued against an uninsured scooter rider, with little to no chance of obtaining payment due to lack of available and reachable assets and availability of bankruptcy, most attorneys will not take on the case unless there is another viable responsible party. The owner of the electric scooter, that is the rental company (e.g., Lime, Jump, Bird, Jump, Lyft, Spin, Razor), may also be a source of recovery if, for example, poor maintenance or a mechanical or design defect contributed to the crash. Failure to verify a rider’s qualifications may also be a basis of recovery, if for example, the rental company failed to verify the rider’s driver’s license thus allowing an underaged person access to unlock and ride the scooter. Scooter rental agreements, however, create roadblocks to recovery. Common clauses say the rider releases the rental company of any liability, waive the right to a jury trial, etc.
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Florida man chases after stolen Lamborghini on scooter

 A Lamborghini was stolen by a 14-year-old, and the owner used a scooter to chase after his prized possession. On Tuesday, Chris Sander heard his Lamborghini start up. “I look out the window, and I see somebody driving it away,” Sander said. He grabbed his scooter and chased after his stolen Lamborghini. The teen was eventually stopped and taken into custody, but not before running away from police. Andre Kaline was sitting on his porch when the young suspect came running up to him after ditching the vehicle. “I didn’t know if he had a weapon. I wasn’t sure how crazy he was. I was trying to talk and calm him down.” Kaline said. “He asked me for advice. He’s like, ‘I’m 14. I don’t know what to do.’” Kaline advised the teen to turn himself in and seconds later, an officer appeared.
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