Setareh Law
January 18, 2025
Electric scooters are a convenient mode of transportation that’s increasingly popular across California. However, accidents involving electric scooters and motor vehicles can be severe, leaving riders with significant injuries and questions about their legal rights. Handling insurance adjusters after such an incident can be tricky, as their primary goal is often to minimize the payout to the injured party. To protect yourself, understanding how to approach these conversations is essential.
If you’ve been involved in an e-scooter accident in California, Setareh Law can help you immediately. Our experienced legal team understands how to negotiate with insurance companies and advocates fiercely for your best interests. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
Frequent Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
Electric scooter accidents happen for various reasons, but the most common involve motor vehicle collisions. Drivers may fail to notice scooters due to their smaller size or because they’ve entered a blind spot.
Other factors contributing to dangerous situations for riders include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Faulty brakes
- Mechanical issues like sudden accelerations
- Poorly maintained e-scooters
- Speeding
These malfunctions, combined with unsafe road conditions, can lead to devastating injuries, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries.
Identifying Liability After an Electric Scooter Accident
Determining liability is critical in recovering damages after an e-scooter accident. Depending on the circumstances, one or more of the following parties may be at fault:
Negligent Drivers
Motor vehicle drivers are legally obligated to follow traffic laws and operate safely. Evidence such as speeding, improper lane changes, or failing to yield can help establish a driver’s negligence in an e-scooter accident.
E-Scooter Companies
Rental companies must ensure their scooters are adequately maintained and safe to use. If a malfunction caused by negligence contributed to your accident, the rental company may be held accountable for your injuries.
Electric Scooter Manufacturers
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe. Defects in design or production may make them liable under product liability laws if mechanical failures result in harm.
Local Governments
The responsible government entity might be liable if your accident occurred because of road hazards, such as potholes or unmarked construction zones. Filing claims against government bodies involves strict deadlines, so timely action is crucial.
What to Avoid Saying to an Insurance Adjuster After an E-Scooter Accident
After an e-scooter accident, your words can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained to use anything you say to their advantage, so it’s crucial to proceed cautiously.
Here’s what not to say:
- Don’t agree to be recorded: If the insurance adjusters ask for recorded statements to use later as evidence, politely decline this request.
- Avoid apologizing: Expressions of sympathy can sometimes be misinterpreted as admissions of guilt.
- Don’t downplay your injuries: Comments like “I’m okay” can lead adjusters to assume your injuries aren’t severe.
- Avoid speculating or guessing: Saying “I think” or “I guess” could weaken your claim if your assumptions are later proven incorrect.
Let your accident lawyer handle these discussions for you. By taking over these conversations, a skilled attorney protects you from tactics that could limit your compensation.
Essential Information to Share With an Insurance Adjuster
If you do need to speak with an insurance adjuster, limit the information you provide to verified facts about the accident, such as:
- Date, time, and location of the accident: Provide only basic logistical details about when and where the incident occurred.
- Details of involved parties: Share the names, contact information, and insurance details of those involved.
- The make and model of the e-scooter and other vehicles: This helps adjusters identify the specific equipment or vehicles involved.
Restricting your discussion to these neutral points prevents adjusters from using your words against you.
Let a California Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Help You
An electric scooter accident can upend your life, but you don’t have to deal with insurance adjusters alone. Setareh Law alleviates the stress of dealing with insurers and advocates for your rights on your behalf. When you partner with our California personal injury lawyers, we stand by your side.
Contact Setareh Law today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at (310) 659-1826 or complete our contact form to discuss your case and take the first steps toward financial recovery. Hablamos Español.
