Legally Reviewed by Daniel Setareh on October 2, 2026
An electric scooter gets you across Fresno quickly, but it offers almost no protection when something goes wrong. A rider standing on a small deck can be thrown by a car turning across a bike lane, a pothole on a busy road, or a brake that fails at the wrong moment. Pedestrians can be hurt too when a scooter comes up fast behind them. Injuries can mean surgery, missed work, and months of recovery, while insurance companies start asking what the rider did wrong. You should not have to sort that out alone.
Riders and pedestrians hurt in scooter crashes in Fresno can call Setareh Law, APLC Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, a firm with 60 years of combined experience serving injured individuals, more than 900 five-star reviews, and seven offices across California. Electric scooter accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so you pay a fee only if we get results. Home and hospital visits are available, and se habla español.
⚠ Time-Sensitive Notice for California Scooter Riders
Most California electric scooter accident lawsuits must be filed within 2 years, and claims against a public entity can have a deadline as short as 6 months.
60 years of combined experience, more than 900 five-star reviews, and no fee unless we get results. Home and hospital visits are available.
Electric Scooter Accidents on Fresno Roads
Fresno is flat and sunny, which makes scooters a practical way to get to class, to work, or to a nearby errand. Riders are common around Fresno State and Fresno City College, along busy corridors like Shaw Avenue and Blackstone Avenue, and on short trips where a car would be a hassle. That also puts riders into traffic that was designed around cars. Many collisions happen at intersections, at driveways and shopping center exits, and where a bike lane ends and traffic merges. In winter, Central Valley tule fog can sharply cut visibility, and a small scooter with a dim light is easy for a driver to miss.
Scooter crashes are not the same as bicycle or motorcycle crashes. California has a separate set of rules for what the law calls a motorized scooter, and those rules can affect who is blamed after a collision. California also gives a scooter rider on a roadway the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, which means drivers owe riders the same right-of-way that they owe other traffic. When a driver ignores that duty, the rider may be able to pursue compensation.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents in Fresno
Most scooter crashes trace back to one of four sources, and identifying the right one is the first step in deciding who may be responsible.
Driver Mistakes
Distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, failing to yield, unsafe right turns across a bike lane, and left turns in front of an oncoming rider are among the most common causes.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Potholes, broken pavement, debris, drainage grates, uneven seams, and poorly marked bike lanes can send a rider down. Small scooter wheels make these hazards especially risky, and some are the responsibility of a city or county.
Defective Scooters and Batteries
Faulty brakes, stuck throttles, broken stems or folding mechanisms, and lithium battery failures can cause a crash or a fire, and a manufacturer or seller may share responsibility.
Collisions With Pedestrians
A rider who is going too fast, distracted, or riding where scooters are not allowed can strike someone on foot. Pedestrians hurt this way may have a claim of their own.
Many crashes involve more than one cause, which is why a careful investigation matters from the start.
California Electric Scooter Rules That Affect Your Claim
These rules often come up early in a scooter claim, because an insurance company may point to any violation to argue that the rider caused the crash.
| Rule | What It Means for Riders |
|---|---|
| Valid license or permit | Under Vehicle Code section 21235, the operator of a motorized scooter must have a valid driver’s license or instruction permit. |
| Speed limit | No one may operate a motorized scooter faster than 15 miles per hour, according to Vehicle Code section 22411. That limit applies on all roads and bikeways. |
| Where scooters may ride | A scooter may not be operated on a highway with a speed limit above 25 miles per hour unless it is in a Class II or Class IV bikeway. A local authority can allow operation outside a bikeway on roads with a limit of up to 35 miles per hour. |
| Helmets | Riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. The statute does not impose that requirement on adult scooter riders, although an insurer may still try to raise helmet use when it argues about fault. |
| Sidewalks | A scooter may not be operated on a sidewalk except as needed to enter or leave adjacent property, and a parked scooter may not block the path of pedestrians. |
| One rider and hands on the handlebars | No passengers are allowed in addition to the operator, and the operator may not carry anything that prevents keeping at least one hand on the handlebars. |
| Impaired riding | Scooter riders are subject to the same laws on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as other drivers. |
A violation by a rider does not automatically end a claim. California uses comparative fault, so a jury that finds a rider partly responsible reduces compensation by that percentage, and the rider can still recover the rest. Riders can also read about e-scooter laws to know in California in more detail, since these rules are often at issue after a collision.
Who May Be Liable After a Fresno Scooter Crash
In most cases the driver who caused the crash is the main target, and the claim is paid by that driver’s auto liability insurance. If the driver was working at the time, such as a delivery driver, a rideshare driver, or someone in a company vehicle, the employer may also be responsible. A passenger who opens a door into a rider’s path may be at fault as well, because California limits when anyone may open a vehicle door into moving traffic.
Other parties can share responsibility too. When a scooter fails because of a defective brake, throttle, frame, or battery, the manufacturer, distributor, or seller may be responsible. A property owner or contractor may be responsible when an unmarked trench, loose gravel, or a blocked path creates a hazard. When the scooter was rented through an app, the company that owns and maintains the fleet may share responsibility if poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
When a dangerous road condition is involved, the City of Fresno, Fresno County, or the State of California may be responsible. Claims against public entities follow special rules and much shorter deadlines than other injury claims, which is why they should be reviewed quickly.
Types of Electric Scooter Cases and Who May Be Responsible
The kind of crash you were in often shapes who is responsible and what evidence matters most.
| Type of Crash | Who May Be Responsible | Evidence That Often Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Rider hit by a driver | The driver, and the driver’s employer if the driver was working | Police report, photographs, witness statements, and nearby video |
| Rider hurt by a road hazard | A city, county, state agency, or private property owner | Photographs of the hazard, its exact location, and timely notice of a claim |
| Rider hurt by a defective scooter | The manufacturer, seller, or a rental fleet owner | The scooter itself, receipts, app records, and any recall information |
| Pedestrian hit by a scooter rider | The rider, and possibly a rental company or property owner | Photographs, witness names, medical records, and trip data if the scooter was shared |
Shared and Rental Scooter Claims
Many riders use shared scooters unlocked through a phone app. These cases add a layer that private scooter cases do not have. Before a trip begins, the app usually asks the user to accept terms of service, and those terms may include liability waivers or arbitration clauses. Whether those terms apply to a particular claim depends on their exact wording and the facts of the crash, and they may not bar every claim. For example, someone who never accepted the terms, such as a pedestrian or a driver, is in a different position than the rider.
Shared scooters also create useful records. The app can show when a trip started, where the scooter traveled, how fast it was moving, and whether the company had reports of problems with that unit. That data may be deleted or overwritten, so you should take screenshots of your trip, note the scooter’s identification number, and report the crash through the app. If you used a shared scooter, do not sign a release or accept a quick payment before the full picture is clear.
What to Do After an Electric Scooter Accident in Fresno
What you do in the first hours can protect both your health and your claim.
1. Get Medical Care Right Away
Call 911 for any injury. Adrenaline can hide pain, and head, neck, and internal injuries are not always obvious. A same-day medical record also links your injuries to the crash.
2. Document the Scene
When it is safe, photograph the vehicle, the scooter, the road, skid marks, signs, and your injuries before anything is moved.
3. Collect Information
Get the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance details, along with the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
4. Report the Crash
Ask the responding officer, whether from the Fresno Police Department or the California Highway Patrol, for a report number. If the scooter was a rental, report the crash in the app too.
5. Keep Your Scooter and Gear
Do not repair, return, or throw away your scooter, helmet, clothing, or phone until your attorney has documented them. Save your app trip screens.
6. Talk to a Lawyer First
Adjusters often call within days. You can decline a recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney, and you should avoid posting about the crash online.
Hurt in a Scooter Crash in Fresno? Talk With Setareh Law Today
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we get results. Home and hospital visits are available.
Evidence That Can Strengthen an Electric Scooter Claim
Scooter cases often turn on small details. Photographs of the scene, the scooter, and your injuries help show how the crash happened. Witness statements can answer disputes about who had the right of way. Surveillance video from nearby businesses and doorbell cameras can be overwritten within days, so requesting it quickly matters. If you rode a shared scooter, the app trip record may show your speed, route, and timing. If you own your scooter, its model, purchase receipt, and any maintenance records may matter if a defect is suspected.
Medical records are just as important. They connect each injury to the crash, show the treatment you needed, and support the cost of future care. Keep every bill, prescription receipt, and note about missed work. A police report, 911 call records, and the driver’s statements can also help establish fault. If a battery overheated or a scooter failed, do not try to repair it, and store it safely away from living areas until it can be examined.
Common Injuries in Fresno Electric Scooter Accidents
Scooter riders are more exposed than people in a car, and the small wheels and standing position make falls hard to control. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries and concussions, facial and dental injuries, broken wrists, collarbones, arms, hips, and legs, road rash that can scar, spinal and back injuries, internal organ damage, and neck and soft tissue injuries such as whiplash. Even a rider who wore a helmet can suffer a concussion, and symptoms sometimes appear days later.
These injuries often require emergency care, imaging, surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up visits. Some people miss weeks or months of work, and some face lasting limitations. A fair claim looks at the full picture of current bills and future needs, not only the first emergency room invoice. Burns from a battery fire can also call for long treatment and ongoing care.
Compensation Available After a Scooter Accident
Depending on the facts of the case, an injured rider or pedestrian may be able to pursue several categories of damages.
| Category | What It May Cover |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, medication, therapy, and future treatment. |
| Lost income | Wages missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same work. |
| Property damage | Repair or replacement of your scooter, helmet, clothing, phone, and other gear. |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, and the effect of the injuries on daily life. |
| Loss of enjoyment of life | The loss of activities you enjoyed, including getting around the way you used to. |
| Punitive damages | In limited cases involving especially reckless conduct, such as drunk driving, California law may allow punitive damages meant to punish the wrongdoer. |
| Wrongful death damages | When a crash is fatal, eligible family members may pursue funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. |
Every case is different, and results depend on the facts, the injuries, and the insurance available.
How Insurance Companies Handle Scooter Accident Claims
Insurance companies protect their own bottom line, and scooter claims give them several familiar ways to reduce what they pay.
Blaming the Rider
Adjusters may argue that you were in the wrong lane, were riding too fast, were not visible, or were not wearing a helmet, even when the driver broke the law.
Quick, Low Offers
An early offer may arrive before you know the full extent of your injuries or what future care will cost.
Recorded Statements
Casual answers about how you feel or what happened can be used later to dispute your claim.
Pointing at Someone Else
When several parties are involved, such as a driver, a rental company, and a city, each insurer may try to push responsibility onto the others.
Coverage can be less clear than it is for a car. California requires scooter manufacturers to tell buyers that existing insurance may not cover accidents involving a scooter, a rule found in Vehicle Code section 407.5. Your own auto policy, your health coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, or a driver’s liability policy may each play a role, depending on the facts. Our article on handling insurance adjusters after a scooter crash explains what these calls often look like. Having an attorney handle the insurance company lets you focus on healing.
Statute of Limitations for Fresno Electric Scooter Accident Cases
Deadlines are among the most important parts of a scooter claim, and missing one can end a case no matter how strong the evidence is.
| Type of Claim | Deadline | Clock Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Injury claim against a driver or private party | 2 years | Date of the crash |
| Wrongful death claim | 2 years | Date of death |
| Claim against a city, county, or other public entity | 6 months to present a government claim | Date of the crash |
The clock usually starts on the date of the crash, not on the date you finish treatment. In limited situations, such as an injury that could not reasonably have been discovered right away, the deadline may start later, but you should never count on an exception. If a public entity is involved, a late claim may be allowed only in narrow circumstances and is not guaranteed. The California Courts self-help guide on deadlines to sue explains how these time limits work. Missing a deadline is irreversible, so contact Setareh Law as soon as you can.
How Setareh Law Handles Your Electric Scooter Accident Case
Every case starts with a one-on-one conversation. We listen to what happened, review your injuries and medical needs, and explain your options in plain language. If you cannot travel, we can meet you at home or at the hospital.
From there, our team gathers the police report, photographs, witness accounts, video, app records, and medical records, and works with accident reconstruction professionals when a case calls for it. When a defect is suspected, we work to preserve the scooter so it can be examined. We handle the calls and paperwork with insurance companies, calculate the full value of your losses, negotiate for fair compensation, and file a lawsuit when that is the right step. Because we work on contingency, you pay a fee only if we get results, and Spanish-speaking clients can work with our team in their own language.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fresno Electric Scooter Accidents
Do I have a valid electric scooter accident case in Fresno?
You may have a claim if a driver, property owner, public agency, rental company, or manufacturer’s negligence caused your crash and you were hurt. Not wearing a helmet as an adult, riding outside a bike lane, or being partly at fault does not automatically end a claim, because California uses comparative fault. The right way to find out is to talk with an attorney about what happened, and Setareh Law offers free case reviews.
What is the deadline to file an electric scooter accident lawsuit in California?
Most personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of the crash or the date of death. Claims against a city, county, or other public entity generally require a government claim within 6 months. Because missing these deadlines is irreversible, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to hire an electric scooter accident lawyer in Fresno?
Setareh Law handles electric scooter accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay an attorney fee only if we get results, and your initial consultation is free. We encourage you to ask about fees and costs during your case review so you know what to expect.
Can family members file a claim if a scooter rider died in a crash?
In California, certain family members, such as a spouse, domestic partner, or children, and in some cases other dependents, may bring a wrongful death claim. These claims may recover losses such as funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. The deadline is generally 2 years from the date of death.
What if poor road conditions in Fresno caused my scooter crash?
A pothole, debris, missing signage, or a poorly designed bike lane may make a city, county, or state agency responsible. These claims have special notice rules and a 6-month deadline to present a government claim, so they should be reviewed quickly. Photograph the hazard and note its exact location as soon as it is safe to do so.
Can I still bring a claim if I used a rental scooter app that had terms and waivers?
Possibly. Rental app terms may include waivers or arbitration clauses, but whether they apply to your situation depends on their exact wording and the facts, and they may not bar every claim. A pedestrian or driver who never accepted the terms may be in a different position than the rider. Do not sign a release or accept a payment until an attorney has reviewed your options.
Talk to a Fresno Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer Today
Setareh Law brings 60 years of combined experience, more than 900 five-star client reviews, and seven California offices to every electric scooter accident case. We treat each client as a person first, and we take the time to understand how the crash changed your life.
If you were hurt in an electric scooter accident in Fresno, contact Setareh Law for a free case review, or call (310) 659-1826. There is no fee unless we get results, and se habla español.
