Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Los Angeles | E-Scooter Injury Claims

If you need an electric scooter accident lawyer in Los Angeles, Mesriani Law Group is here to help. Electric scooters from Bird, Lime, Lyft, and other companies have become a fixture on LA’s streets and bike lanes — and so have the accidents that come with them. See our overview of why electric scooters are dangerous in Los Angeles. Scooter riders face serious injury risks from negligent drivers, dangerous road conditions, and defective equipment, and determining who is legally responsible can be complex.

At Mesriani Law Group, our Los Angeles e-scooter accident attorneys have extensive knowledge of California Vehicle Code provisions governing electric scooters and have recovered compensation for injured riders and pedestrians throughout California. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

California Electric Scooter Laws You Need to Know

Understanding the legal framework governing electric scooters in California is critical both for preventing accidents and for building a successful injury claim. For a full overview, see our guide on California electric scooter laws:

• Speed limit (CVC § 22411): Electric scooters are limited to 15 mph under California law. Riding above this speed can result in a ticket of up to $250 and may affect liability in an accident claim.
• Where you can ride (CVC § 21235): E-scooters may be ridden in bike lanes, class II bikeways, and on roads with a speed limit of 25 mph or less. Riding on sidewalks is generally prohibited.
• Helmet requirement: Riders under 18 are required to wear a bicycle helmet (CVC § 21235). Riders 18 and older are no longer legally required to wear a helmet under recent California law changes, though not wearing one may be raised by insurers in head injury claims.
• Driver’s license: Riders must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. Riding without a license is illegal and may affect your claim.
• No registration required: Unlike motorcycles, electric scooters do not need to be registered with the DMV. For a definition of what qualifies as a street legal electric scooter in California, see our full guide.
• DUI applies: California’s DUI laws apply to electric scooter riders. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can affect comparative fault analysis in accident cases.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an Electric Scooter Accident?

One of the most complex aspects of e-scooter accident claims is identifying who is responsible. Multiple parties may share liability:

• Negligent drivers: The most common cause of serious scooter injuries. Drivers who fail to yield to scooter riders, cut them off, open car doors into their path, or strike them at intersections may be fully or primarily liable.
• The scooter company (Bird, Lime, Lyft): E-scooter companies are responsible for the regular maintenance, repair, and safety of their fleets. If a scooter malfunctions, has defective brakes, or is improperly maintained, the company may bear liability. Note that many scooter rental agreements contain liability waivers — our attorneys know how to challenge these in court when they are unconscionable or unenforceable.
• The scooter or component manufacturer: If a defective scooter, battery, brake system, or other component caused the accident, the manufacturer may face strict product liability.
• Government agencies: Poorly maintained roads, potholes, defective traffic signals, or inadequate bike lane infrastructure maintained by the City of Los Angeles or another government agency may contribute to scooter accidents. Claims against government entities require a tort claim filed within six months.
• Other scooter riders or pedestrians: Collisions caused by another rider’s reckless behavior or a pedestrian stepping unexpectedly into a bike lane may create liability on their part.

Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Los Angeles

• Car doors opening into the scooter’s path (dooring): A leading cause of serious scooter accidents, particularly in dense urban areas of LA
• Distracted or inattentive drivers: Drivers who fail to check for scooters at intersections, crosswalks, and driveways
• Failure to yield: Drivers making right turns without checking for scooter riders in bike lanes
• Road defects: Potholes, cracked pavement, unmarked speed bumps, and debris cause riders to lose control
• Defective scooter equipment: Brake failures, throttle malfunctions, battery fires, and unstable handlebars
• Speeding: Both scooter riders exceeding 15 mph and vehicle drivers exceeding safe speeds for areas with bike lanes
• DUI by a driver or rider: Impaired operation of any vehicle is illegal and significantly increases crash risk
• Riding on sidewalks: Scooter riders on sidewalks create collision risk with pedestrians, and sidewalk riding may affect comparative fault if the rider was violating CVC § 21235

Common Injuries in Los Angeles Electric Scooter Accidents

Because scooter riders have minimal physical protection, even low-speed accidents can result in serious injuries. See our overview of electric scooter accident statistics in California:

• Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — particularly when not wearing a helmet
• Facial injuries and dental damage from falls
• Road rash and lacerations requiring wound care or skin grafting
• Broken wrists, arms, and collar bones from bracing against falls
• Knee and joint injuries
• Spinal injuries from high-speed or vehicle-involved crashes
• Internal injuries from vehicle collisions
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological trauma
• Wrongful death in the most severe cases

Liability Waivers: Can the Scooter Company Avoid Responsibility?

Bird, Lime, Lyft, and other scooter companies require riders to agree to terms of service that typically include liability waivers. These waivers are designed to prevent riders from suing the company for injuries — but they are not always enforceable.

Under California law, liability waivers may be unenforceable if:

• The waiver is unconscionable or was not clearly presented to the rider
• The scooter company’s negligence rose to the level of gross negligence or reckless conduct
• The defect was in the scooter itself and involved a products liability claim
• The injury involved a third party (such as a negligent driver) rather than the scooter company

Our electric scooter accident lawyers in Los Angeles will analyze any waiver in your rental agreement and evaluate whether the scooter company can be held liable for your injuries.

What Compensation Can You Recover After an E-Scooter Accident?

• Medical expenses: Emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and all related costs
• Future medical care: Ongoing treatment, physical therapy, and long-term care for permanent injuries
• Lost income: Wages lost during recovery and, for permanent injuries, reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage: Repair or replacement of your scooter if you owned it, and any other personal property damaged in the crash
• Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship if a loved one died in an e-scooter accident

Electric Scooter Accident Filing Deadlines in California

• Claims against private parties: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1
• Claims against government entities: If a city road defect, defective traffic infrastructure, or government vehicle contributed to your accident, a government tort claim must be filed within six months
• Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death

Important: Evidence in scooter accident cases — scooter maintenance logs, GPS data, app records, and traffic camera footage — must be preserved quickly. Contact an electric scooter accident lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible after an accident.

What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident in Los Angeles

1. Seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries appear minor. Head injuries and internal trauma may not present symptoms right away.
2. Call 911 — report the accident and request a police report. This is essential evidence for your claim.
3. Document the scene — photograph the scooter, your injuries, the road conditions, the vehicle involved, and any skid marks or debris.
4. Screenshot the app — capture your trip data, scooter ID number, and timestamp from the rental app before the session closes.
5. Report to the scooter company — file an incident report through the app or website, but do not give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first.
6. Get driver and witness information — name, phone, license plate, and insurance information from any vehicle involved; names and numbers of witnesses.
7. Do not sign anything — from the scooter company or their insurer without attorney review.
8. Contact Mesriani Law Group — our electric scooter accident lawyers in Los Angeles will preserve critical evidence and begin building your case immediately.

Why Choose Mesriani Law Group as Your Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?

E-scooter accident claims require specific knowledge of California Vehicle Code provisions, scooter company liability structures, and the enforceability of rental waivers. At Mesriani Law Group we bring:

• Over 30 years representing personal injury victims in Los Angeles and throughout California
• Extensive knowledge of California Vehicle Code provisions governing electric scooters
• Experience challenging scooter company liability waivers
• Track record of identifying all liable parties — drivers, scooter companies, manufacturers, and government agencies
• No Win, No Fee — you pay nothing unless we win your case
• Available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Farsi

Unfortunately, as more people are using e-scooters, the number of accidents involving scooters are also increasing. Electric scooters not only pose a risk to the riders, but also to pedestrians and motorists. Determining the party responsible in an accident is a complicated task and having the right legal representation is essential to winning your case.

Mesriani Law Group have been helping personal injury victims for over 30 years and we are prepared to handle e-scooter accident claims throughout California. Our lawyers have extensive knowledge of California Vehicle Code (CVC) regarding motorized scooters and have consistently prepared the strongest case in favor of our clients. With over $100 million dollars in total recovery amount, we have a proven track record of helping clients obtain justice and the maximum compensation possible.