While the popularity of electric scooters continues to rise, so does the chances of innocent riders getting into electric scooter accidents. Most people who rent a ridesharing electric scooter through services from companies like Bird and Lime have no idea just how much electric scooters are prone to mechanical failure and resulting accidents. Among the most common product failures our Santa Monica electric scooter accident attorneys of McGee, Lerer & Associates have seen so far include brake failures, throttles sticking at full speed, and the scooter battery dying completely in mid-ride.
If you are injured while riding an electric scooter, we know that the reality is you will likely not be thinking clearly and calmly. That is why it is so important to get knowledge about electric scooter accidents ahead of time. If there’s a possibility that you will ride an electric scooter in the future, you should prepare yourself in advance to know what to do in case of a crash.
After being injured in an electric scooter accident, you should follow these steps:
- Immediately after the accident, use the electric scooter app to end the ride. If a scooter malfunction caused the accident, report the malfunction to the electric scooter company so that they can disable the scooter to prevent other riders from riding it. After reporting the accident to the scooter company, we recommend that you have no other communication with them.
- Take photos of the scooter and its handlebars, so its model can be identified later. If it had a broken component, take photos of that part as well. If it has an ID number, take a photo of the number. We also recommend emailing the photos to yourself so you have backup files.
- If possible, keep the scooter that caused your accident. Ask a friend to come to the scene and put the scooter in their vehicle. If your injuries are serious, and if a malfunction of the scooter occurred, your attorney will want a forensic engineer to examine the scooter and determine the cause of the product failure.
- Get the name and telephone number of anyone who witnessed the accident. They might have valuable testimonials for your case.
- Take a look around. Do you see any video cameras that may have captured the accident? If it happened near a gas station, for example, they often have cameras. Ask the proprietors of any establishment with closed-circuit security cameras nearby if they would be able to give you a copy of the footage.
- Take photos of your injuries, if possible.
- Seek medical treatment right away. When asked by the doctor what happened, make sure you tell the doctor the cause of the accident. For example: “The brakes on the Bird electric scooter I was riding failed.” Medical providers often note in medical records the patient’s description of the cause of the injury. It is important that what the doctor writes matches up with what happened to you.
- Call a lawyer to find out if you should pursue legal action.
(Remember: If your injuries are serious, please call 911 for emergency medical attention as soon as you can. Do not do anything that jeopardizes your health and wellbeing.)
Call Santa Monica’s Leading Electric Scooter Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in an electric scooter accident, call the lawyers at McGee, Lerer & Associates for a free consultation. We will give you an honest assessment as to whether you have a case that is worth pursuing. If we take your case, there is no upfront fee and no fee whatsoever unless we win, giving you peace of mind as your case develops.
Start right now by dialing (310) 692-9582 or using an online contact form today.