Rising E-Bike and Scooter Injuries in OC: Can You Sue If You’re Hurt?
Yes, you can sue for e-bike and scooter injuries in Orange County if someone else caused your accident. Whether it’s a careless driver, a broken bike path, or a defective scooter, you have legal rights when you get hurt through no fault of your own.
E-bike and scooter accidents in Orange County have exploded by 500% since 2020. What started as a fun, eco-friendly way to get around has turned into a serious safety crisis. Every day, riders are ending up in emergency rooms with broken bones, head injuries, and worse. The problem has become so bad that Orange County implemented strict new laws in April 2025 to attempt to control the chaos.
But here’s what many injured riders don’t know: just because you were on an e-bike or scooter doesn’t mean you can’t get compensation for your injuries. If a distracted driver hit you, if the city failed to maintain safe bike lanes, or if your rental scooter had faulty brakes, you may have a strong case for damages.
If you got hurt on an e-bike or scooter, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries. Call Hicks Law Firm, PC at 866-HICKS-LAW or (949) 541-9944 for a free consultation and let’s discuss what happened. Our Orange County bicycle accident lawyer can help.
Who is Responsible When Things Go Wrong?
When you’re hurt in an e-bike or scooter accident in Orange County, a big question comes up: Who is responsible for paying your medical bills, your lost wages, and your pain? It’s a complicated question, and the answer depends on who was at fault.
Under California law, e-bike and e-scooter riders have to follow many of the same rules as car drivers. They need to obey stop signs, traffic lights, and speed limits. However, other drivers need to share the road. If a car driver fails to yield, makes an unsafe turn, or is distracted and hits an e-bike or scooter rider, their auto insurance policy should cover the damages.
For example, if a car driver turns left through an intersection without noticing an e-bike rider coming, they would likely be at fault.
Sometimes, the rental company for a shared scooter or e-bike could be responsible if the device was poorly maintained or had a known defect. And in rare cases, a manufacturer could be at fault if a design flaw or manufacturing error led to the accident. Even the city or county could share some blame if a poorly maintained road or pathway caused the accident.
What Common E-bike Injuries Occur?
E-bike and scooter accidents often cause serious injuries because riders have little protection. The most common injuries we see include:
- Head injuries and concussions (even with helmets)
- Broken bones, especially arms, wrists, and legs
- Road rash and deep cuts
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries from impact
These aren’t minor scrapes. Many of our clients need surgery, months of physical therapy, and time off work. The medical bills add up fast, and the pain can last for years.
Can You Sue If You Get Hurt?
Yes, in California, you can file a lawsuit against the responsible party when you get hurt in an e-bike or scooter accident. Your attorney will review the details of your case, determine liability, and then file your claim seeking compensation.
The amount of compensation depends on several factors: how badly you’re hurt, who caused the accident, and how much the accident has affected your life. In successful cases, you may be able to recover money for:
- All medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to your bike or scooter
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Settlement amounts can vary widely, but significant cases can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars when liability is clear. The key is proving that someone else was responsible for your accident.
What About Insurance?
As an e-bike rider, you don’t need to carry liability insurance in California, and you’re not required to get insurance coverage to ride a scooter either. This creates a complicated situation when accidents happen.
If someone else hits you, their car insurance should cover your injuries. However, if you’re partly at fault or if the other person doesn’t have insurance, things become more complicated. Your health insurance may be your only coverage if you get hurt while using a motorized scooter or e-bike.
Some rental scooter companies do provide limited coverage, but not all companies offer this insurance, and many user agreements require riders to waive liability rights. This is why you should speak to an experienced Orange County bicycle accident attorney immediately to review your case and your legal options.
Contact Our Orange County Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today
The truth is, e-bike and scooter accidents often aren’t the rider’s fault. Poor road conditions, reckless drivers, and defective equipment cause many crashes. Yet too many people assume they’re out of luck because they weren’t in a car. That’s simply not true.
Don’t let your injuries go uncompensated. If you’ve been hurt in an e-bike or scooter accident in Orange County, you deserve to know your options. Contact our experienced Orange County personal injury team today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Your recovery starts with one phone call. Call Hicks Law Firm today at 949-541-9944.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
