What This Page Covers:
- Scooter Laws: California mandates helmets for riders under 18, imposes a 15 mph speed limit in bike lanes, requires valid driver’s licenses, specifies left-turn procedures, and prohibits riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks.
- Economic Damages: Victims can claim compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. These costs are calculated based on documented expenses such as medical bills and pay stubs.
- Non-Economic and Punitive Damages: Compensation can be claimed for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and punitive damages if the responsible party acted maliciously or was egregiously negligent.
- How Callahan & Blaine Can Help: With 40 years of experience and a team of 29 seasoned lawyers, Callahan & Blaine offers comprehensive support to maximize compensation and handle all aspects of your claim.
- Contact Callahan & Blaine today at (714) 241-4444 or visit our contact form to discuss your case.
Electric scooters have become increasingly popular, especially in large cities like Irvine. While these vehicles can be a convenient and cost-effective way to commute to work or navigate the Irvine area, they can also be dangerous, with riders at a high risk of serious injuries. Scooter riders lack protection against larger vehicles, and other drivers may fail to follow traffic laws or pay attention to the road, causing an accident. If you have suffered injuries in a scooter accident due to another party’s negligence, Callahan & Blaine is here to help you file a claim.
In our 40 years as a law firm, our robust team of 29 lawyers has proudly provided exceptional legal services that have helped victims obtain unprecedented settlements. With over 700 years of combined trial experience and extensive insurance knowledge, we are fully prepared to take on your scooter accident claim, no matter how complex or high-value. This client-focused approach and commitment to excellence give you the peace of mind you need to prioritize your healing and have the best chance of achieving the justice you deserve.
What Are California’s Scooter Laws?
With electric scooters becoming more widespread, knowing California’s laws surrounding these vehicles and their operation is essential. Some important rules all scooter riders should know and follow include the following:
- Helmets: According to California Vehicle Code 21235, e-scooter riders under 18 must wear a helmet that fits properly and stays fastened while riding.
- Maximum Speed: CVC 22411 places a speed limit of 15 miles per hour on e-scooters using bike lanes.
- Using Bike Lanes: Unless passing another vehicle or pedestrian, completing a left turn, avoiding debris, or turning right, e-scooter riders must ride in bike lanes when available, according to CVC 21229.
- Valid License: E-scooter riders must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate the vehicle.
- Left Turns: To make a left turn on an e-scooter, riders must stop after the intersection on the right curb, dismount the scooter, and cross the road on foot. This law is in place to prevent accidents, mainly involving e-scooters and pedestrians.
- Crosswalks: According to CVC 275, sidewalks are considered crosswalks. Therefore, riding an e-scooter on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk is a violation.
Following these laws ensures you uphold your duty of care as an e-scooter rider and helps reduce the risk of an accident and serious injuries. However, even if you follow all safety protocols and traffic laws, another driver, pedestrian, or other party may breach their duty of care and cause a collision. Our skilled Irvine scooter accident lawyers thoroughly investigate to collect evidence and prove the liable party’s negligence and your damages.
3 Types of Damages You May Recover After an Irvine Scooter Accident
The impact of scooter accident injuries often goes beyond physical, causing emotional and financial damages. At Callahan & Blaine, we believe all these losses deserve recognition, so we consider every detail when calculating your claim’s value. Depending on your unique circumstances and the severity of your injuries, you may recover the following types of damages:
Economic
Economic damages are those with an objective monetary value that aim to make you whole again after the accident. These damages often include medical bills, lost wages from missed work, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. We calculate these costs by reviewing your medical bills, receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and tax returns, ensuring your settlement reflects your current and future losses.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages refer to those with a subjective, non-monetary value, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are more challenging to calculate than economic damages, but having an experienced Irvine scooter accident lawyer’s help gives you a better understanding of your claim’s worth.
Punitive
If the liable party acted maliciously, with willful intent, or egregiously negligent, you may receive punitive damages. These damages aim to punish the liable party for their behavior and discourage them from doing the same in the future.
How Callahan & Blaine Can Help With Your Irvine Scooter Accident Claim
After suffering injuries in a scooter accident, it is crucial to act quickly to preserve evidence and file your claim within California law’s two-year statute of limitations. With the valuable guidance and comprehensive support of our seasoned Irvine scooter accident lawyers at Callahan & Blaine, you can do just that while focusing on recovery. In addition to handling every aspect of your claim, we can help you achieve a successful outcome in the following ways:
Trial Experience
Our 29 lawyers have a collective 700 years of trial experience, giving us the knowledge, skills, and resources to take your claim to court and negotiate on your behalf if necessary.
Insurance Knowledge
Edward Susolik, our managing partner, has handled over 1,500 mediations in 33 years, making him one of the leading insurance experts in the U.S. This extensive knowledge perfectly positions us to take on your scooter accident claim and negotiate with adjusters for a fair settlement.
Record Breakers
With our unmatched services and dedication to our clients, we have achieved record-breaking results, including the largest personal injury settlement in U.S. history worth $50 million. With this track record, you can trust us to take on your claim, regardless of value or complexity.
Your scooter accident claim is too important to leave in the hands of an inexperienced legal team. At Callahan & Blaine, every attorney on our team has at least eight years of experience and works closely with you to understand your unique needs and give your case the attention and care it deserves.
Reach Out to Callahan & Blaine to Discuss Your Irvine Scooter Accident Claim
Navigating the aftermath of a scooter accident can be overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. At Callahan & Blaine, we turn your distress into a journey toward justice and recovery.
Let us provide the support and expertise you need to secure the compensation you deserve. Trust Callahan & Blaine to be your guide through this challenging time. Call us today at (714) 241-4444 or reach out through our contact form.
