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The world of micro-mobility is booming and understanding California electric scooter laws matters more than ever. In Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and across California, electric scooters give riders a fast and fun way to get around. At the same time the rules that govern them carry serious consequences if you ride without knowing them. Whether you were hit by a scooter, crashed your own, or just want to stay safe, Deldar Legal explains what to do and when to call a lawyer.

Table of Contents – California Electric Scooter Laws

Key Facts – California Electric Scooter Laws

  • Know the basic California electric scooter laws: age limit, helmet rules, speed and lane use.
  • After a crash your documentation, evidence and legal rights count.
  • Insurance and liability work differently for scooters compared with cars or bikes.
  • You may recover medical bills, lost wages or other damages if someone else caused the crash.
  • Deldar Legal offers bilingual support and free case reviews 24/7

California Electric Scooter Laws in 2025

Electric scooters and motorized scooters share many features, but California law treats them differently in some cases. Electric scooters run on rechargeable batteries and are designed for short-distance travel in urban areas. They usually have small electric motors, floorboards for standing, and top speeds limited by state law. Motorized scooters, on the other hand, may use gas engines or larger electric systems and can reach higher speeds.

Both types of scooters must follow traffic laws, stop at lights, and yield to pedestrians. Riders of either scooter must stay in bike lanes when available, avoid sidewalks, and obey the same right-of-way rules as cars and bicycles. Despite their size, scooters are treated as vehicles under California law:

California DMV Classification

  • A motorized scooter has 2 wheels, a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard that you can stand on while riding it.
  • You can only drive motorized scooters on a bicycle path, trail, or bikeway, not on a sidewalk, and you cannot exceed a speed of 15 mph.
  • You do not need to register motorized scooters.
  • You can drive a motorized scooter with any class driver’s license.

Age, License & Helmet Rules

  • California electric scooter laws require you must at least 16 years old to ride.
  • Riders under 18 must wear a properly fastened bicycle helmet.
  • A valid driver’s license or learner permit is required.

Speed & Usage Rules

  • You may ride only in bike lanes or on streets with speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less.
  • Electric scooters cannot exceed 15 miles per hour anywhere in California.
  • Riding on sidewalks is banned statewide and can result in fines of up to $200.

California Electric Scooter Laws Checklist After an Accident

  • Seek medical care even if your injuries appear minor.
  • Call the police so you get a report for injuries or major vehicle damage.
  • Keep the scooter, helmet or any gear as evidence.
  • Photograph the scene, scooter damage, road hazards or skid marks.
  • Get contact information for witnesses, the scooter operator or driver of the other vehicle.
  • Preserve phone data or app logs if the scooter has sharing program features.
  • Avoid giving recorded statements or signing anything without legal counsel.

Your lawyer can help you request the police report, the scooter company’s maintenance and usage logs, and any city transit or bike lane data. You should track your medical treatment and gather all related expenses. Document time off work, loss of productivity and any permanent change to your ability to earn income.

Insurance & Your Rights for California Electric Scooter Laws

After a scooter crash, insurance coverage can become confusing. Many riders assume the process is simple, but scooter accidents rarely follow the same rules as car collisions. Multiple insurance policies may come into play, and every company will try to limit what they pay. Knowing your rights before speaking to an adjuster protects your claim and helps you recover the full amount you deserve.

Who Pays

When a driver hits you while you ride an electric scooter, that driver’s liability insurance usually pays for your injuries and damages. You can file a claim directly with their insurer or work through your own company if you have the right coverage. California follows a comparative fault rule, which means your compensation can decrease if you share part of the blame. Acting quickly to gather evidence and witness statements strengthens your position and helps prove who was truly at fault.

Your Coverage Changes

Scooter riders often forget that their personal policies may cover part of an accident. Your homeowner or renter policy could apply if you own the scooter, while your auto policy might include some limited protection. Rental scooters from sharing companies may have small amounts of built-in liability coverage, but these limits are usually low. Reviewing your policies with a lawyer helps identify every available source of recovery before making a claim.

Settlement Tactics

Insurance companies move fast after a crash and may ask you for a recorded statement right away. They do this to collect details that can later reduce the value of your case. Early settlement offers may look reasonable but rarely include the cost of future care, therapy, or lost income. Speaking with a lawyer before signing anything helps you avoid mistakes and keeps control over your claim.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

When the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your uninsured or underinsured motorist policy (UIM/UM) can cover your losses. This coverage applies in many auto policies even if you were riding a scooter instead of driving a car. It can pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain caused by the crash. Checking your policy and filing the claim correctly can make the difference between a denied claim and fair compensation.

Damages to Claim Under California Electric Scooter Laws

Under California electric scooter laws, riders have the same right to pursue compensation for their injuries as any other motorist or pedestrian. If your accident was caused by another person’s negligence, a distracted driver, bicyclist, unsafe road conditions, or a defective scooter, you may be eligible to recover damages through a personal injury claim. These damages generally fall into three main categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and future care costs.

1. Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the direct financial losses tied to your scooter accident. Depending on your case, this may include:

  • Emergency room visits, hospital bills, and diagnostic testing
  • Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment
  • Replacement or repair of the damaged scooter
  • Lost wages or reduced earning capacity during recovery
  • Transportation costs to medical appointments

Documentation such as medical records, repair receipts, and employment statements help your attorney calculate the full value of your economic damages under California law.

2. Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. These can be just as significant as your financial losses. Common examples include:

  • Chronic pain or limited mobility
  • Anxiety or fear of riding again
  • Disruption to daily life or independence
  • Loss of enjoyment in outdoor or recreational activities

A skilled personal injury lawyer can use your medical notes, photos, and testimony to show how your injuries have affected your life beyond financial hardship.

3. Future Losses

Some electric scooter accidents lead to injuries that require long-term care. Your attorney can work with medical professionals to estimate the future care costs tied to your recover. This includes ongoing rehabilitation, follow-up appointments, or future surgeries. You only have one opportunity to receive your compensation, so these projected expenses should cover the treatment you may need in the months or years ahead.

Call Deldar Now

At Deldar Legal, we’re more than just attorneys, we’re your partners in recovery. If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve a top-rated scooter accident lawyer in California who will fight for your rights and help you rebuild your life. From the moment you contact us, we handle everything, from medical appointments and transportation to insurance negotiations and legal paperwork, so you can focus on healing.

Our experienced team represents clients across a wide range of personal injury cases, including:

  • Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
  • Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents
  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
  • Slip-and-fall and premises liability claims
  • Dog bites and animal attacks
  • Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic injuries
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

Deldar Legal is here to help. We offer free consultations and work on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no risk in reaching out.

Call us today at (844) 335-3271 or contact us to speak with an experienced California injury lawyer. Let Deldar Legal fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

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