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Electric bikes and scooters have exploded in popularity across Glendale in the last few years. Commuters use them to cover the last mile from a bus stop or to avoid parking downtown, students ride them around Glendale Community College, and delivery workers rely on them to move quickly through traffic. They’re faster, quieter, and often less familiar to drivers than traditional bicycles, which creates a distinct set of accident risks and legal questions.
If you were hurt while riding an e-bike or scooter, or if one of these devices caused your injury as a pedestrian or driver, a Glendale bicycle accident lawyer can help you sort out the rules that apply and pursue the compensation you’re owed.
Why E-Bikes and Scooters Raise Different Legal Questions
Traditional bicycles are treated fairly consistently under California law. Electric bikes and scooters occupy a more complicated legal space, because the rules depend on the specific type of device, its speed capability, and sometimes how it’s being used at the time of the crash. That complexity matters after an accident, because it can affect questions like whether the rider needed a license, what speed limits applied, and which rules of the road governed the rider’s conduct.
California’s E-Bike Classification System
California generally divides electric bicycles into three classes based on their motor assistance and top speed:
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only, with the motor providing assistance only while pedaling, up to a certain speed threshold
- Class 2: Equipped with a throttle that can propel the bike without pedaling, up to the same general speed threshold as Class 1
- Class 3: Pedal-assist only, but capable of higher speeds than Class 1 and 2, and generally requiring riders to meet a minimum age requirement
Each class has different rules regarding where it can be ridden, such as on bike paths versus roadways, and some local jurisdictions impose additional restrictions. Understanding which class of e-bike was involved in your accident, and what rules applied to it, can be an important part of establishing fault.
Electric Scooters and Their Own Rules
Rentable electric scooters, along with privately owned ones, are generally subject to their own set of state requirements, which can include:
- Riders generally must be a minimum age
- Riding on sidewalks is generally prohibited in most areas, with scooters expected to use bike lanes or, where unavailable, travel at the edge of the roadway
- Scooters are generally not permitted on roads with speed limits above a certain threshold unless a bike lane is present
- Helmet requirements may apply depending on the rider’s age
Because scooter riders are often navigating unfamiliar rules, and drivers are often unfamiliar with how to safely share the road with them, scooter accidents can raise unique disputes over who bears responsibility.
Common Causes of E-Bike and Scooter Accidents
- Drivers misjudging speed, since e-bikes and scooters can travel faster than many drivers expect from a “bicycle” or a pedestrian-adjacent device
- Dooring, where a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a fast-moving e-bike or scooter rider
- Right-hook and left-turn collisions at intersections, similar to traditional bicycle crashes but often complicated by higher rider speed
- Sidewalk-related collisions, particularly involving scooters ridden where sidewalk riding isn’t intended or permitted
- Mechanical failures, including battery, brake, or throttle malfunctions
- Rental company maintenance issues, where a shared scooter or e-bike wasn’t properly inspected or maintained
- Road hazards, which pose a heightened danger given the smaller wheels common on many scooters and some e-bikes
- Inexperienced riders, unfamiliar with how quickly these devices accelerate compared to a traditional bicycle
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties include:
- A negligent driver, for the same reasons that apply in a traditional bicycle case
- The e-bike or scooter rider, if their own negligence caused injury to a pedestrian or another road user
- A rental company, such as a scooter-share operator, for failing to properly maintain its fleet or for providing a device with a known defect
- A manufacturer, if a defect in the device itself, such as a battery or braking system, contributed to the crash
- A government entity, if a dangerous road or path condition contributed
Rental Scooter and E-Bike Companies and Liability Waivers
Many shared e-bike and scooter services require users to accept a liability waiver or terms of service through an app before unlocking a device. These waivers don’t automatically eliminate every possible claim. Depending on the circumstances, a waiver may not fully protect a rental company from liability for a defective device, inadequate maintenance, or other significant negligence on the company’s part. If you were injured while using a rental device, or were hit by a rider using one, an attorney can evaluate what the specific waiver actually covers and whether it limits your claim as much as the company might suggest.
When an E-Bike or Scooter Rider Injures Someone Else
Not every case involves a rider being hurt by a driver. Pedestrians and other cyclists are sometimes struck by e-bike or scooter riders traveling at higher speeds than a traditional bicycle, particularly on shared paths like the Chandler Bikeway or on sidewalks where these devices shouldn’t be ridden. If you were injured by a negligent e-bike or scooter rider, you may have a claim against that individual rider, and potentially against a rental company if the device was defective or improperly maintained.
Comparative Negligence
California follows pure comparative negligence. If you’re found partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but not eliminated. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault for a $150,000 loss, you could still recover $120,000.
Because e-bike and scooter cases can involve questions about whether the rider followed device-specific rules, such as age requirements or permitted riding areas, insurers may look for any violation to argue for a larger share of fault. A careful review of the actual rules that applied to the specific device involved can help push back on overreaching arguments.
Common Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Broken bones, particularly wrists, arms, and collarbones from falls
- Road rash and scarring
- Facial and dental injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Emotional trauma, including anxiety about riding or walking near traffic afterward
Because e-bikes and scooters can reach higher speeds than traditional bicycles, injuries from these accidents are sometimes more severe than a comparable low-speed bicycle crash.
What to Do After an E-Bike or Scooter Accident
- Call 911 and request police and medical help.
- Get medical attention right away, even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Report the crash and make sure a police report is filed.
- Photograph everything: the vehicle involved, the e-bike or scooter, the location, signage, and your injuries.
- If a rental device was involved, note the company name and, if visible, the device’s identification number, and take screenshots of your rental session in the app if possible.
- Do not repair or discard the device, your helmet, or your clothing before it can be documented.
- Get the other party’s information, including insurance details, and collect witness contact information.
- Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene.
- Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Follow your treatment plan and keep all medical records and bills.
- Contact a lawyer early, since rental company records and surveillance video can be limited or difficult to obtain later.
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim
- The police report and any citations issued
- Rental app records, including trip history, device ID, and any maintenance flags
- Surveillance video from nearby businesses
- Photos of the scene, the device, and any visible damage or defects
- Witness statements
- Medical records and bills
- Employment records showing lost income
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Device repair or replacement, along with damaged gear
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, if the crash was fatal
Deadlines to Keep in Mind
- Personal injury lawsuits: generally two years from the date of the accident
- Property damage claims: generally three years
- Claims against government entities: generally six months for the initial claim
- Wrongful death claims: generally two years from the date of death
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim
- Assuming a rental waiver automatically eliminates your ability to make a claim
- Failing to document the specific device and rental information involved
- Admitting fault or apologizing at the scene
- Giving a recorded statement to an insurer without advice
- Accepting a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known
- Waiting too long to consult an attorney, especially given limited rental data retention
How a Glendale Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced attorney can:
- Determine which specific rules applied to the e-bike or scooter involved in your crash
- Identify every responsible party, including rental companies and manufacturers
- Evaluate the enforceability of any liability waiver
- Preserve app data, rental records, and other time-sensitive evidence
- Work with accident reconstruction and medical experts
- Calculate the full value of your current and future losses
- Negotiate with insurers, or file suit and pursue the case through trial
Many personal injury firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you typically pay no attorney fees unless you recover compensation. Confirm the terms during your consultation.
Hurt in an E-Bike or Scooter Accident? Get Answers
These devices are still relatively new, and the rules surrounding them can be confusing, but your right to fair compensation after a negligent driver, rider, or rental company causes you harm isn’t. If you were hurt in an e-bike or scooter accident in Glendale, contact a Glendale bicycle accident lawyer to talk through what happened and learn what options may be available.
