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Scooter Crash Liability Lawyer in Inland Empire

Electric scooters have quickly become a popular way to get around the Inland Empire—especially in cities like Riverside, Ontario, Redlands, and San Bernardino. Whether used for quick errands, commuting, or recreation, scooters are convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly. But with their rise in popularity has come a troubling increase in serious accidents and injuries.

In many parts of the Inland Empire, infrastructure hasn’t kept up with the growth in micromobility. High-traffic roads, limited bike lanes, potholes, uneven sidewalks, and a lack of visibility for drivers all contribute to a dangerous environment for scooter riders. When crashes happen, riders—who have little to no physical protection—are often the ones who suffer the most.

Whether your crash involved a negligent driver, a malfunctioning scooter, or hazardous road conditions, identifying who is legally responsible is key to recovering the compensation you need to heal and move forward. And that’s where we come in.

Who May Be Liable in a Scooter Crash?

Negligent Motor Vehicle Drivers

Motorists are often at fault in scooter crashes, especially in high-traffic areas like downtown Riverside or along busy streets in Ontario or San Bernardino. Common forms of driver negligence include:

  • Distracted driving (texting, adjusting GPS, eating)
  • Speeding or running red lights
  • Aggressive driving, such as tailgating or unsafe lane changes
  • Failure to yield to scooters or ignoring shared lane rules

When drivers fail to watch for smaller, more vulnerable road users like scooter riders, the consequences can be severe. If a vehicle driver’s careless behavior caused your injuries, their insurance may be liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Scooter Companies (Bird, Lime, Spin, etc.)

Not all scooter crashes are caused by outside traffic. Sometimes the scooter itself is to blame. When you rent from companies like Bird, Lime, or Spin, they have a legal responsibility to provide safe, well-maintained equipment. You may have a claim against the company if your accident was caused by:

  • Faulty brakes or electrical issues
  • Loose handlebars or structural defects
  • Tires that were worn out or improperly inflated
  • Lack of safety instructions or warning labels

Our team investigates these cases thoroughly, often using expert mechanics or product liability consultants to help prove negligence.

Government Entities

In some cases, unsafe public infrastructure is a contributing factor. Cities and counties are responsible for maintaining roads, sidewalks, signage, and lighting. When they fail to do so, riders get hurt. Government liability may apply if your crash involved:

  • Potholes or broken pavement
  • Debris in the roadway
  • Poor or missing signage
  • Inadequate street lighting or visibility

Filing a claim against a city or county involves strict deadlines and procedures—including a 6-month window for filing a notice of claim—so don’t delay seeking legal help.

Private Property Owners

Not all scooter accidents happen on public streets. You may also have a case if your crash occurred on private property—such as in a shopping center, apartment complex, or parking garage—due to:

  • Cracked or uneven walkways
  • Obstructed paths or signage
  • Hazardous design or poor maintenance

Under California premises liability laws, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. If they failed in that duty, they may be held accountable for your injuries.

Understanding California Scooter Laws

California Vehicle Code § 21235: Rules for Scooter Use

California Vehicle Code § 21235 outlines key rules for operating electric scooters, including:

  • Helmet Requirement: Riders under 18 must wear a helmet. While adults are not legally required to wear one, failure to do so may still impact a legal claim in cases involving head injuries.
  • Minimum Age: Riders must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver's license or permit.
  • Street Use: Scooters must be ridden on roads with a speed limit of 25 mph or less, or in designated bike lanes. Sidewalk riding is generally prohibited.
  • One Rider Per Scooter: No passengers are allowed on electric scooters.

Violating these laws doesn’t automatically bar you from recovering compensation, but it can impact how liability is assigned—especially under California’s comparative fault rules.

Comparative Negligence in California

California follows a pure comparative negligence system. That means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages—your total compensation will just be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example: If you're awarded $100,000 but found to be 20% at fault (e.g., not wearing a helmet or riding outside designated areas), you could still recover $80,000.

Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto riders to minimize payouts. That’s why having an experienced attorney like Tim D. Wright is critical to protecting your interests.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits

In most scooter accident cases, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in California. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, your case will likely be dismissed—regardless of how strong your evidence is.

Special Deadlines for Government Claims

If your accident was caused by a public road defect, poor city planning, or involved a government-operated vehicle, you must act much faster. Under California law:

  • You must file a claim with the government agency within six months of the date of injury.
  • If the agency rejects your claim, you have a short window to file a formal lawsuit.

These claims are complex and time-sensitive, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer immediately if you suspect a government entity may be involved.

How Tim D. Wright Law Can Help

Conducting a Thorough Investigation

We start by digging into the details:

  • Examining police reports and scene evidence
  • Securing footage from traffic cameras or businesses nearby
  • Retrieving GPS data and maintenance logs from scooter companies
  • Interviewing witnesses and accident experts

Our goal is to identify every liable party, from negligent drivers and rideshare companies to cities and scooter manufacturers.

Partnering with Experts to Strengthen Your Case

To prove the full impact of your injuries, we work with a network of trusted professionals:

  • Accident reconstruction experts to explain how the crash happened
  • Medical specialists to evaluate your injuries, treatment needs, and long-term prognosis
  • Vocational experts (if you’ve lost work or earning capacity)

This evidence helps us build a strong, fact-based case that insurance companies and defense attorneys can't ignore.

Handling All Insurance and Legal Communications

Dealing with insurance adjusters and legal paperwork can be overwhelming. We take that burden off your shoulders:

  • Responding to insurers and scooter companies on your behalf
  • Protecting you from lowball offers or unfair blame
  • Preparing and filing all necessary legal documents
  • Taking your case to trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered

You focus on healing—we’ll handle the legal fight.

Fighting for Full and Fair Compensation

We aggressively pursue the maximum compensation available under California law, including:

  • 💵 Medical bills (hospital visits, surgery, therapy, medication)
  • 💼 Lost wages from missed work or job loss
  • 💔 Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of quality of life
  • 🏥 Future medical care or disability support if your injuries are long-term or permanent

We don't just want a quick settlement—we want justice that lasts.

Free Consultation and Contact Info

Injured in a scooter accident? Let us fight for your recovery. At Tim D. Wright Law, we know how overwhelming life can feel after a serious scooter crash—especially when you're facing medical bills, time off work, and pressure from insurance companies. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your rights and take the first step toward justice.

You don’t pay anything upfront—and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Whether your accident happened in Riverside, Ontario, San Bernardino, Redlands, or anywhere in the Inland Empire, we're here to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact Us Today

📍 Burbank Office
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506

📞 Call Now: (323) 379-9995
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com

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I am very satisfied and thankful with Attorney Tim Wright and his whole team for taking care and handling my fathers personal injuries case. Thank you all very much your staff is amazing, very helpful.
Abraham Ortega
The Law Offices of Tim D. Wright were awesome. They were professional, they kept an open communication with me through out the process.  Big shout out to Sergio and Mercedes for being very helpful with my settlement.
Frank Medina

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