.png)
Electric scooters from companies like Bird, Lime, Spin, and others have become a common sight in Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area, offering an easy, eco-friendly way to get around town. Whether you're heading down Brand Boulevard, cruising past The Americana at Brand, or commuting through local neighborhoods, scooters are a convenient alternative to driving or walking. But with that convenience comes a growing number of accidents and injuries—many of which result in serious consequences for riders.
As e-scooter use increases, so does the risk of crashes caused by negligent drivers, unsafe road conditions, malfunctioning equipment, or even inexperienced riders. Unlike cars, scooters offer little protection in a collision, which means riders are more vulnerable to head injuries, broken bones, spinal trauma, and long-term complications. If you or a loved one is injured in a scooter accident, determining who is legally responsible is essential to recovering the compensation you need for medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Liability in a scooter crash isn’t always straightforward. Multiple parties may share fault—from vehicle drivers and scooter companies to cities or property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions. That’s why it’s so important to work with an attorney who understands both California personal injury law and the unique issues surrounding scooter accidents.
Determining who’s responsible after a scooter accident in Glendale can be more complicated than a typical car crash. In many cases, multiple parties may share fault, and identifying each one is essential for recovering the full compensation you deserve. Here’s a breakdown of who could be legally liable:
Car and truck drivers are among the most common causes of scooter accidents—especially in busy Glendale corridors like Brand Boulevard, Colorado Street, and near the Galleria. Driver negligence can include:
Establishing driver fault often relies on:
If the driver violated traffic laws or failed to exercise reasonable care, they can be held financially responsible for your injuries and related damages.
Scooter riders are also expected to follow California traffic laws. If a rider was:
...they may be found partially responsible under California’s comparative negligence law.
This doesn’t necessarily eliminate the right to compensation—it simply reduces the recovery amount by the rider’s percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by 20%.
Scooter companies have a duty to provide safe, well-maintained vehicles. Unfortunately, many scooters on the street are damaged, malfunctioning, or past their prime. These companies may be held liable for:
Companies like Bird and Lime may attempt to shield themselves with user agreements and liability waivers, but those contracts don’t always hold up in court—especially if there’s evidence of negligence or defective equipment.
Not all scooter accidents involve another driver or a malfunctioning scooter—sometimes, the road itself is the hazard. When public infrastructure is poorly maintained or designed in a way that puts riders at risk, the City of Glendale or another government agency may be held liable.
Examples include:
Filing a claim against a public agency involves a different legal process. Under California law, injury claims against a government entity must be filed within six months of the incident, and follow strict administrative procedures before a lawsuit can be filed. Failing to meet these deadlines can bar you from recovering compensation.
If your scooter crash happened on private property, such as an apartment complex, parking lot, shopping center, or business premises, the property owner may be liable under premises liability laws.
Common hazards include:
Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions and warn of known dangers. If they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, they may be required to compensate the injured party for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Sometimes the at-fault party isn’t the scooter rider, driver, or property owner—but a third party whose careless actions trigger the crash. This can include:
Proving who is at fault in a scooter crash isn’t always straightforward—especially when multiple parties may be involved. Whether your injury occurred on a busy Glendale street or a private property, the strength of your case often depends on the quality of your evidence. Gathering the right documentation early on can make or break your ability to recover full compensation.
If police responded to your crash, their accident report can provide a neutral summary of:
In addition, witness statements from pedestrians, drivers, or bystanders can help clarify how the crash occurred—especially in areas like Brand Blvd or Colorado Street, where traffic is heavy and surveillance may be limited.
Visual evidence is one of the most persuasive tools in any personal injury case. Be sure to capture:
Nearby businesses may also have security cameras that recorded the incident. An attorney can help request and preserve this footage before it’s deleted.
Your medical records serve two key purposes:
Immediate medical attention also strengthens your case by establishing a clear timeline between the accident and your symptoms.
If you were riding a rental scooter from Bird, Lime, or another provider, digital data from the app can show:
If poor road conditions played a role in your crash, city maintenance logs can reveal whether the issue had been reported—or ignored. For example:
Scooter crashes in Glendale can leave victims dealing with painful injuries, costly medical bills, and uncertain legal questions. Whether you were hit by a car, thrown from a defective scooter, or injured because of unsafe road conditions, you have the right to seek compensation—but determining who’s responsible can be complicated.
Don’t leave your recovery to chance. With multiple potentially liable parties, strict deadlines for filing claims, and insurance companies working to minimize payouts, it’s critical to have an experienced legal advocate in your corner.
At the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we’ve helped injured scooter riders across Glendale and Southern California hold negligent drivers, companies, and municipalities accountable. We’ll guide you through every step of the process—from investigating your crash to negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to court if needed.
📍 Burbank Office:
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506
📍 Van Nuys Office:
16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2
Van Nuys, CA 91406
📞 Phone: (323) 379-9995 or (818) 428-1080
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
📱 Follow us on social media for updates and legal tips:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
