Woman Seriously Injured In Berkeley Car Accident While Riding Electric Scooter Near The Intersection of College Avenue and Channing Way
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA (September 12, 2022) – A 22-year-old woman riding an electric scooter was seriously injured in a Berkeley car accident by College Avenue and Channing Way.
Alameda County officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:20 p.m. on Saturday. A woman was riding an electric scooter when she was hit by a Toyota Prius.
The force of the impact knocked the scooter rider to the ground leaving her with serious injuries. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the woman.
She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver that hit the victim remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
A full investigation into the College Avenue collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Berkeley Scooter Accidents
Companies like Lime and Bird have popularized electric scooters in the Bay Area and across California. But the increase in electric scooter users has also led to a sharp increase in the number of collisions and hospital visits. According to one report featured in Business Insider, electric scooter injuries among millennials in large cities has more than doubled over the last year. Scooter riders are particularly vulnerable for a number of reasons.
- Scooter riders have a small profile and are often overlooked by vehicles.
- Scooter riders lack the protection of enclosed vehicles.
- Scooter riders are more vulnerable to poor road conditions such as potholes.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting bicyclists, scooter riders and pedestrians. Many collisions are due to drivers that are speeding. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a driver fails to reduce their speed and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company that manufactured an electric scooter could also potentially be liable for a crash. Companies have a legal obligation to make products that are reasonably safe. They can be liable for defects in the design, manufacturing or marketing of their products. There are many ways that an electric scooter could potentially be defective and lead to a crash.
- The accelerator on an electric scooter could have stuck.
- The stem on an electric scooter could have collapsed.
- The brakes on an electric scooter could have failed.
Any person that is injured in an electric scooter accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many victims may not realize the full extend of their injuries for several weeks or months after a crash. A scooter accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Bay Area Scooter Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the woman injured in this Berkeley scooter accident. It is our sincere hope that she is able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. City officials should consider measures to make this stretch of road safer.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Berkeley scooter collision? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
