California’s beautiful weather and terrible traffic conditions make the scooter an ideal method of travel. It’s convenient and inexpensive. But riding a scooter around Los Angeles County can also be risky. If you or a loved one have been injured in a scooter accident, it is important to talk to a Los Angeles County scooter accident attorney.
Our scooter accident lawyers in Beverly Hills understand that this may be a difficult time for people who have been injured, and our team of attorneys handle each case with compassion in order to make sure you are receiving the best treatment and the highest compensation for your damages.
Gould & Jefferson of Beverly Hills has experienced and dedicated scooter accident attorneys in Los Angeles County standing by to assist you. Call (310) 899-9529 now to schedule a free one-hour consultation with our team.
Beverly Hills Scooter Laws and Other Information
There is an abundance of scooters in the streets of California nowadays. Bird, who initially began the scooter system in Santa Monica, has now expanded throughout California, into the contiguous United States, and even into global markets. Companies like Lime followed suit. This came to the attention of Rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber who later decided to invest in this new market. Scooters are now the latest trend in transportation alternatives.
California’s Motorized Scooter Regulations
Since scooter travel has come into existence, the state of California has tried to regulate it. According to Vehicle Code Section 21235, “… any person operating a motorized scooter must have a valid driver’s license.” Further, the vehicle code states that no passengers are allowed to ride on scooters other than the operator. Drivers are also not allowed to have a hand occupied, meaning they may not carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents him/her from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars. Moreover, this vehicle code states that riders may not use sidewalks unless it is necessary to enter/exit a property, and they may not exceed 15mph regardless of higher posted speed limits.
Because of the high scooter usage in California, the government has enacted updated codes. Prior to January 1, 2019, vehicle code 21235 prohibited riding without a properly fitted and fastened helmet. But since January 1, 2019, a new law came into effect that eliminates the helmet requirement, mirroring the California bicycle law. (If the rider is under the age of 18, a helmet must be fastened at all times while riding a motorized scooter.) This law is noteworthy because it allows riders to drive in the street without any sort of protection and can cause more injuries and even fatalities. Even if you’ve been injured as a result of not wearing a helmet, you can still pursue damages with the help of a Beverly Hills scooter accident attorney.
Updated 2019 California Scooter Regulation
California Vehicle Code § 21235, states that:
“The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:
- Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
- Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a Class II or Class IV bikeway, except that a local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the operation of a motorized scooter outside of a Class II or Class IV bikeway on a highway with a speed limit of up to 35 miles per hour. The 15 mile per hour maximum speed limit for the operation of a motorized scooter specified in Section 22411 applies to the operation of a motorized scooter on all highways, including bikeways, regardless of a higher speed limit applicable to the highway.
- Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212, if the operator is under 18 years of age.
- Operate a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit.
- Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.
- Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
- Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
- Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
- Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
- Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.”
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 552, Sec. 1. (AB 2989) Effective January 1, 2019.)
Helmet Rules No Longer Apply in California
Even before the updated January 2019 helmet regulation, riders were not wearing helmets despite the law. When injuries occurred prior to 2019, liability would be questioned and reduced due to riders’ failure to wear helmets. This will no longer be the case. If you are injured in a scooter accident, you can recover damages as the rider regardless of your helmet usage by contacting a scooter accident lawyer in Los Angeles County. However, all riders must follow all traffic signs and street regulations, as one would with a motor vehicle.
Ways to Make Scooters Safer in Los Angeles County
Scooter companies are actively looking for ways to make scooters safer. Some proposals include “geofencing,” which automatically reduces scooter speeds from 15 mph to 8 mph in locations of high pedestrian traffic. As scooter operation has increased exponentially, drivers and pedestrians also need to be more vigilant. You can do your part to avoid accidents by being aware of your surroundings, knowing how to safely operate a scooter, obeying the laws of the road, and always wearing a helmet.
If you or a friend have been injured in a scooter accident, please contact our scooter accident attorneys in Beverly Hills for a free consultation and analysis of your case. An experienced Los Angeles County scooter accident lawyer is standing by to assist you.
Hire a Knowledgeable Scooter Accident Lawyer in Beverly Hills
Scooter accidents happen every day, many of which cause physical injury and even death. When such scooter accidents are caused by the negligence (fault) of another party, victims of these accidents are frequently compensated for their loss through monetary compensation. This recovery does not occur automatically, as insurance companies are businesses with the primary motivation of maintaining profit. Insurance adjusters will always try to get away with paying as little money as possible.
The attorneys at Gould & Jefferson know how to negotiate and settle with insurance companies to get scooter accident victims the highest compensation for their loss and injuries. Gould & Jefferson of Beverly Hills is home to knowledgeable scooter accident lawyers in Los Angeles County who know how to counter their arguments and tactics. Get an experienced and knowledgeable team fighting by your side. Call (310) 899-9529 to speak with a top Beverly Hills scooter accident lawyer.
