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Swanson Law Group: The People’s Law Firm

If you’re seriously injured in a scooter accident in San Jose, you may have the right to recover under California personal injury law by showing that a responsible party (or parties) acted negligently, causing you harm.

We represent injured scooter riders, pedestrians, and other victims—making sure your injuries, losses, and future are accounted for.

Here’s why you should choose us:

  • Local trial leverage: We are familiar with the Santa Clara County courts, San Jose police practices, jury expectations, and insurance adjusters in the Bay Area.
  • Medical network and lien care: We arrange care through trusted specialists in San Jose / Silicon Valley, often on liens (no upfront payment required).
  • Proven results and case outcomes: We don’t just settle—we prepare for trial, and insurance companies know it.
  • Bilingual service and community trust: Spanish / English, culturally responsive, and committed to fairness in a diverse region.
  • 99% success and reputation: We bring our Swanson grit and track record to every scooter claim.

How and Where Scooter Accidents Happen, and the Injuries They Cause

E-scooters offer zero protection. That means even a low-speed crash can lead to life-changing injuries. Riders, pedestrians, and drivers alike face risks when scooters collide with vehicles, obstacles, or defective equipment.

Common Scooter Accident Injuries

  • Head trauma, such as concussions or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Skull and facial fractures, including dental damage
  • Broken arms, wrists, hands, legs, ankles, and knees
  • Neck and spinal injuries
  • Severe cuts, road rash, and deep bruising
  • Internal organ damage in high-impact crashes
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Emotional and psychological trauma

Causes Of Scooter Accidents

  • Drivers failing to see scooters when turning or changing lanes
  • “Dooring” accidents from parked cars
  • Malfunctions such as faulty brakes, steering, or battery systems
  • Unsafe roads and sidewalks (potholes, uneven pavement, debris)
  • Rider inexperience, speeding, distraction, or late braking
  • Sidewalk riding and collisions with pedestrians
  • Poor visibility at night or in bad weather
  • Distracted or impaired driving by motorists
  • Defective scooter design or lack of proper maintenance
  • Obstructions in bike lanes or construction zones

Where Scooter Accidents Often Occur

  • Bike lanes running beside moving traffic
  • Busy intersections and crosswalks
  • Sidewalks, where riding is prohibited but still common
  • Downtown corridors like central San Jose
  • Streets near bars, restaurants, and transit hubs
  • Residential neighborhoods
  • Parking lots and structures
  • Shared paths and trails next to roadways
  • College campuses and mixed-use zones

The combination of high-traffic areas, poor road conditions, and limited scooter protection explains why injuries from these accidents can be particularly severe—and why holding negligent parties accountable is crucial.

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National and Bay Area Scooter Accident Statistics

  • According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), e-scooter-related injuries seen in emergency departments in 2023 were estimated at about 40,400
  • The CPSC also reports that from 2017 to 2021, injuries related to micromobility products, including e-scooters, have trended upward, and in 2021, a special follow-up study was conducted to get more detailed data
  • In a clinical case series published in JAMA Network Open, among 249 injured e-scooter users, only 4.4 % were documented as wearing helmets
  • In San Jose in 2025, one fatal scooter hit-and-run incident occurred in a crosswalk when a pickup struck a scooter rider entering the intersection
  • Another San Jose scooter crash occurred when a suspected DUI driver struck a scooter rider in a bike lane, who later died
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Who Can Be Held Liable in a California Scooter Crash?

Liability in scooter accidents often falls on more than one party:

  • Motor vehicle drivers: If a driver causes a crash by failing to yield, turning unsafely, or driving distracted, they can be held responsible.
  • Scooter riders: Riders who speed, ignore traffic rules, or ride in prohibited areas may share fault. Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, damages are reduced by each party’s share of fault (California comparative negligence).
  • Rental companies/operators: Companies like Lime or Bird may be liable if poor maintenance or defective scooters are left in circulation.
  • Manufacturers: Strict liability applies when scooters have design or manufacturing defects that make them unsafe (CACI No. 1200).
  • Cities or state agencies: Public entities can be sued if dangerous road conditions contribute, though claims must follow special procedures under the California Tort Claims Act (Gov. Code § 815).
  • Third parties: Contractors or property owners who create hazards—like debris, blocked bike lanes, or unsafe signage—may also share liability.

Because fault is often divided, identifying every responsible party is critical to securing full compensation.

Potential Compensation Available After a Scooter Accident

If you’re hurt in a scooter crash, California Civil Codes § 1431.2 and § 3333 allow you to recover both economic and non-economic damages. This may include:

  • Reimbursement for hospital bills, surgery, medication, and ongoing care, plus future treatment you may need
  • Wages you’ve already missed and reduced earning ability in the future
  • Compensation for the physical pain and mental anguish caused by the injury.
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement when an injury leads to lasting impairment or visible scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, such as activities, hobbies, or family roles you can no longer participate in
  • Physical therapy, occupational therapy, in-home care, and transportation to medical visits
  • Repair or replacement of your scooter, helmet, phone, or other gear
  • Punitive damages in cases of fraud, oppression, or malice, to punish especially reckless conduct (Cal. Civ. Code § 3294)
  • Litigation costs and interest if the case proceeds through judgment

Our role is to document every category of harm and fight for full compensation, not just a fraction of what you’re owed.

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Why Should You Partner With Swanson Law Group for a Scooter Accident?

Scooter accident claims in California are rarely simple. Liability can involve multiple defendants, and insurance coverage is often limited or hidden behind rental company disclaimers. Our trial-tested team knows how to cut through these obstacles and hold every responsible party accountable.

We dig deep into the evidence—subpoenaing scooter data, securing traffic camera footage, and working with leading experts to prove fault. This meticulous approach has helped us recover over $100 million for injured clients.

Insurance companies know our reputation. While adjusters try to lowball unrepresented riders, they take Swanson Law Group seriously because we prepare every case as if it’s headed to trial.

With a 99% success rate and a record of multi-million-dollar verdicts, we are the firm insurers hope you never hire.

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Scooter Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim/lawsuit in California?

What does the legal process look like?

Do I have to pay attorney fees up front?

Can the scooter company disclaim liability with a waiver?

Does helmet use affect my claim?

How much is my case worth?

How long do I have to file a claim/lawsuit in California?

In general, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations. For claims against public entities, shorter deadlines may apply.

What does the legal process look like?

After you hire us, we investigate, demand compensation from insurers, negotiate, and, if necessary, file suit and litigate. Discovery, depositions, expert reports, mediation, trial—depending on how far the case goes.

Do I have to pay attorney fees up front?

No. We take e-scooter cases on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Can the scooter company disclaim liability with a waiver?

They often attempt it, but it’s not foolproof. Waivers can be challenged, especially for maintenance defects, manufacturing defects, or gross negligence.

Does helmet use affect my claim?

Helmet absence doesn’t bar your case, but insurers will certainly argue it reduces damages. If you were under 18, helmet use is legally required per CVC.

How much is my case worth?

Every case is unique. Value depends on injury severity, permanency, lost wages, pain & suffering, fault share, and available defendants. We’ll build your comprehensive case profile and pursue maximum recovery.

Your Recovery Starts With One Call

If you or a loved one was injured in a San Jose scooter (Lime, Bird, private) crash, don’t wait. Contact Swanson Law Group now at (888) 214-0261 for your complimentary consultation, or complete our online form. You pay nothing unless we win.

Get the help you need from a team you can trust

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