What Happens If You Are Injured in an E-Scooter Accident in California?

 Posted on May 15, 2026 in Serious Injuries

Electric scooters are everywhere in 2026. Bird, Lime, and Lyft scooters can be unlocked from a phone in seconds. Riders of all ages use them for short trips, errands, and daily commutes. But as ridership has grown, so has the number of serious e-scooter and car crashes. If you were hurt while riding an e-scooter or were hit by someone on one, you may have the right to recover compensation. A Los Angeles, CA personal injury lawyer can help you figure out who is responsible and what your options are.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a California E-Scooter Accident?

Liability, meaning legal responsibility for someone's injuries, can fall on more than one party after an e-scooter crash. Who owes you money depends on how the accident happened.

A negligent driver is one of the most common liable parties. If a car or truck hit you, or turned into your path and caused you to fall, that driver's carelessness may make them responsible. California follows an at-fault system. This means the party that caused the crash generally has to pay for the damages.

A scooter company could also be at fault. If you were on a rental scooter and it had a mechanical problem, faulty brakes, a failed battery, or loose handlebars, the company that owned or maintained it may be liable. Product liability law holds businesses responsible when a defective product causes harm.

A government agency could also share fault. Potholes, broken pavement, or bad road design can all lead to e-scooter crashes. Claims against government entities follow different rules and come with much shorter deadlines, so acting quickly matters.

How Do California E-Scooter Laws Affect Your Injury Claim?

State law rules can directly affect the outcome of your case. California law places several requirements on e-scooter riders. Under California Vehicle Code § 21235 and related laws, riders generally must:

• Have a valid driver's license

• Stay at or under 15 miles per hour

• Avoid sidewalks except to enter or leave nearby property

• Wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet if under 18

If another party broke one of these rules and that caused your crash, it helps prove negligence, meaning they failed to act with reasonable care. If a rider was not following the law, the insurance company may argue they share some fault. California's comparative fault rules still let injured people recover money even when they are partly at fault. Their compensation may be reduced by their share of fault, but they can still recover money.

How Serious Are E-Scooter Injuries in California and Across the Country?

E-scooter injuries are more serious than many people expect. According to a 2025 analysis of Consumer Product Safety Commission injury data by ERideHero, emergency-room-treated e-scooter injuries in the United States rose sharply in 2024, reaching nearly 116,000 reported injuries. That is nearly four times the number recorded in 2020. Fractures and bruising are the most common results. The head, neck, and limbs take the hardest hits. Crashes with motor vehicles are often the worst, leaving riders facing surgery, long recoveries, and high medical costs -- and a strong reason to understand your legal rights.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a California E-Scooter Accident?

If another party caused your crash, California law may let you recover money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. The value of a claim depends on how badly you were hurt, how clear the liability is, and what insurance is available. Cases involving rental scooter companies or commercial drivers may come with higher coverage limits. An attorney can review the facts and find every available source of compensation.

Contact Los Angeles, CA Personal Injury Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

If an e-scooter accident left you hurt and facing medical bills, the experienced Glendale, CA accident lawyers at Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. are here to help. California has strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and claims against government entities come with even shorter windows. Missing those deadlines can mean losing your right to compensation entirely. We offer free consultations and never charge a fee unless we win. Call 818-242-8201 today to go over your options.