Accidents involving e-scooters are becoming more common in California. Popular e-scooter firms (such as Bird, Lime, Uber, Lyft, and others) can be blamed for the surge in e-scooter use, as well as environmental concerns and a variety of other causes.
While rising e-scooter use has several advantages, it also has a negative side: more accidents. With that in mind, if you have been in an e-scooter accident, you should take the following actions as soon as possible after the accident:
- Seek medical help right away
- Make a police report
- Keep an eye on the situation, gather proof, and trade information
- Make contact with a knowledgeable e-scooter accident lawyer
For more information, schedule a free first appointment with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas. Continue reading to discover more about what to do if you have been in an e-scooter accident in California.
Seek medical help right away
Accident injuries from e-scooters are not often obvious right away. Accidents create a burst of adrenaline, which contributes to this. However, just “shaking it off” or dealing with accident injuries later might put your health at danger and may jeopardize your ability to pursue a personal injury claim later.
You also owe a “duty of care” to anyone involved in the crash, according to California law. That means you must at the very least check to see whether they are gravely hurt, and if they are, you must immediately notify emergency medical assistance. Otherwise, you may face criminal charges.
Contact with law enforcement
Individuals engaged in an e-scooter accident must call law enforcement if any of the following apply:
- There was an impaired driver, major injury, or death as a result of the incident.
- It had been a hit-and-run situation.
- The removal of one of the automobiles from the accident scene necessitated the use of a tow truck.
- A commercial vehicle was involved in the e-scooter collision.
Minor accidents, with the exception of the situations indicated above, do not need to be reported to the police. Not calling law enforcement, on the other hand, has a number of hazards, including the inability to seek compensation for injuries discovered hours, days, or months after the event.
Remain at the accident scene as long as possible
Whether the accident results in serious injuries or little property damage, it is in your best interest to stay at the site as long as it takes to:
- Take photos and videos of the incident, the cars involved, and any injuries that may have occurred.
- Contact and insurance information should be exchanged with the other drivers involved.
- In light of the accident, identify eyewitnesses and surveillance cameras.
- Make a call to a lawyer who specializes in e-scooter accidents.
- Once you have done the on-scene actions indicated above after an e-scooter accident, you should contact an e-scooter attorney.
It is not always necessary to engage an attorney. It can, however, be useful in complex e-scooter accident cases, incidents involving several participants, and accidents resulting in serious injuries. You do not have to deal with insurance companies, find witnesses, or develop a compelling personal injury case on your own if you have been seriously injured in an e-scooter accident. We are here to assist you.
Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation.
