Who Pays for Your Medical Bills After an Electric Scooter Accident in California?

Electric scooters are everywhere in California—Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Diego, Fresno, and pretty much every city with sunshine and walkable neighborhoods. They’re convenient, affordable, and often the fastest way to get around traffic. But when a rider is hit by a car, thrown off due to a road hazard, or injured because a scooter malfunctions, the aftermath is anything but convenient.

Medical bills can pile up fast: ER visits, X-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, missed work, prescriptions, and sometimes surgery. So the biggest question riders ask is:

Who actually pays for all of this?

The answer depends on how the crash happened and who’s legally at fault. Here’s a breakdown in plain language—so you know where financial responsibility typically falls and where an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer can step in to protect you.

When a Driver Is at Fault

This is the most common scenario. A rider is following traffic rules, and a driver:

• makes an unsafe turn
• opens a car door into the scooter lane
• runs a stop sign
• speeds or tailgates
• drives distracted (texting, GPS, etc.)

In these cases, the driver’s auto insurance typically pays for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

That can include:

• ambulance and ER treatment
• orthopedic or spine treatment
• physical therapy
• future care or long-term disability
• lost income and reduced earning capacity

A strong claim backed by evidence—police report, videos, witness statements, and medical documentation—can push the insurer toward a fair settlement instead of a lowball offer.

When a Scooter Malfunctions

Sometimes, the cause isn’t a driver—it’s the scooter itself.

Examples:

• faulty brakes
• battery fires
• loose handlebars
• software errors causing unintended acceleration

In those situations, the scooter company (Bird, Lime, Spin, etc.) or even a manufacturer may be liable.

That falls under product liability.

If the defect caused or worsened your injuries, an electric scooter accident lawyer can investigate whether the company:

• failed to maintain or inspect the scooter
• released a defective product
• failed to warn users of known risks

These cases tend to be more complex, but when handled correctly, they can lead to compensation that covers the full scope of medical costs—not just what insurance decides to pay.

When Poor Road Conditions Are to Blame

California cities love scooters, but not all maintain roads for them.
Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and lack of signage can lead to devastating injuries—especially at 15 mph with no protective frame.

If poor infrastructure contributed to your crash, a public entity might be liable.

But here’s the catch—claims against government agencies have strict deadlines, often as little as 6 months. Missing that window can shut down the claim entirely.

A lawyer who handles electric scooter injury cases knows how to navigate notice requirements and preserve your rights before time runs out.

What If You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?

This comes up constantly.

No—your claim is not automatically denied.

Helmet use may affect the value of the case only if the lack of helmet directly increased the severity of injuries (like head trauma).

But it does not eliminate liability if someone else caused the crash.

You can still pursue compensation for:

• medical bills
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• future care

Riding without a helmet doesn’t excuse reckless driving or defective scooter design.

Can Your Own Insurance Pay?

If you own a car or have health insurance, you may have short-term relief options such as:

• MedPay coverage on your auto policy
• private health insurance
• Medi-Cal or Medicare

MedPay is particularly useful—it pays bills immediately, regardless of fault.

Health insurance may cover treatment upfront, but they can later request reimbursement if you receive a settlement.

That’s another reason settlements should never be rushed. You need to know who is being reimbursed, how much, and how it affects your net recovery.

What If the Driver Flees or Has No Insurance?

California has a high number of:

• uninsured drivers
• hit-and-run accidents

If this happens, a rider may still recover compensation through:

• uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
• underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage

Many people don’t realize their own auto insurance can protect them—even if they were riding a scooter at the time.

That’s why claim evaluation is crucial. Riders often have more coverage than they think.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Scooter accident claims are not treated like car-vs-car collisions.

Insurance companies often:

• argue scooters are “dangerous by nature”
• blame the rider
• minimize injuries
• refuse to acknowledge mechanical defects

In other words, the burden lands on you.

A dedicated electric scooter accident lawyer steps in to:

• investigate liability
• collect medical documentation
• negotiate with insurers
• calculate full long-term costs
• protect you from accepting a low settlement

Because the truth is—medical bills don’t end when the ER visit does.
They stretch into weeks, months, or years.

You deserve compensation that reflects the real cost of recovery.

Injured in an Electric Scooter Accident?

If you were hit by a driver, injured by a faulty scooter, or hurt due to unsafe roads, you shouldn’t be left paying the price.

Speak with an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer today.

📞 Call (818) 877-4878 for a free case review.
 No fee unless we win.

The sooner you act, the stronger your case and the easier it is to protect your rights and your future.