At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, we understand that a scooter accident can occur in a split second—and the aftermath can be confusing, stressful, and physically painful. If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a scooter in San Francisco, it’s important to know your rights and what to do next.
Understand the Legal Landscape
Scooter accidents in San Francisco involve a mix of micro-mobility laws, traffic rules and personal-injury liability doctrine. For example:
- Under California law, operators of electric scooters must obey traffic laws, may be restricted from sidewalks and are subject to age and licensing rules.
- Liability may fall on a number of parties: the scooter rider, another motorist, the scooter-rental company, the manufacturer of the scooter, or even the city/municipality if a hazardous road condition contributed.
- California uses a “pure comparative negligence” system: even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover—but your compensation can be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
Step-by-Step: What You Should Do
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel “okay,” injury symptoms can appear later (concussion, internal injuries, etc.). Your treatment records are vital for a legal claim.
2. Secure Evidence at the Scene
- Take photos or video of the scene: the scooter, surrounding traffic, road surface (cracks, potholes), skid marks, traffic-lights, signage.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Get the driver’s info if a vehicle was involved, including license plate, insurance, driver name.
- If the scooter was a rental via an app, note the device ID, the rental company and the condition of the scooter.
3. Report the Incident and Preserve Records
File a police report (or request one), and keep a copy. If equipment malfunction or poor maintenance played a role (e.g., scooter brake failed), preserve that scooter and get any rental-company logs, maintenance records or app records.
4. Identify All Potential Liable Parties
- Motor vehicle driver: If a negligent motorist hit the scooter or forced you off the road, they may be responsible.
- Scooter rental company or manufacturer: If a defect, poor maintenance or missing safety warnings contributed, they may be liable under product-liability or premises/maintenance theories.
- Municipality or road-condition owner: If a pothole, cracked sidewalk or poorly marked lane caused the accident, you may have a claim against the city or county.
- Your own role: If you failed to follow traffic rules, rode on the sidewalk when prohibited, or ignored signage, your share of fault may reduce your compensation.
What Kind of Damages Can You Seek?
If another party is found liable, you may be entitled to recover:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress
- Costs of rehabilitation or ongoing care
- Possibly property damage (the scooter, personal effects)
Given the vulnerability of scooter riders—less protection than in a car—injuries can be serious and life-disrupting.
Why You Should Call an Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm
Scooter accident cases often involve multiple parties, complex liability chains, and nuanced regulatory issues (e.g., rental agreements, waiver language, state vehicle code exceptions). Legal counsel can help you:
- Investigate all responsible parties and collect evidence quickly
- Assess how your injuries and future impacts factor into your claim
- Navigate settlement offers versus litigation
- Ensure deadlines (statute of limitations) and procedural requirements are met
San Francisco Moped & Scooter Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a scooter accident in San Francisco, don’t wait. Contact Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn for a free consultation. Our team has the experience, resources, and dedication to help you understand your rights and fight for full compensation. Call us today at (415) 940-7176 or visit our website to schedule your review.
