5 Common Brain Injuries from Electric Scooter Accidents in California

Key Takeaways

Electric scooter riders in California face serious risks without proper precautions.

• Wearing a helmet, following traffic laws, and maintaining a safe speed reduce the likelihood of electric scooter injury and severe brain trauma. 

Use helmets, follow traffic laws, and maintain safe speeds to reduce the risk of serious injury.

• Lights, reflective gear, and staying visible help drivers and pedestrians anticipate your movements and avoid collisions.

Even cautious riders remain vulnerable.

• Negligent drivers, uneven roads, and sudden obstacles can still cause accidents, leading to traumatic brain injuries.

Rely on a bicycle accident lawyer to protect your rights.

• An attorney investigates incidents, documents medical and financial losses, and pursues compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care.

Electric scooters now zip through California cities at full speed, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco included. But while the convenience of riding them is real, so is the spike in electric scooter injury cases. According to the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS),  there was an average of 175 scooter-related injuries from 2022 to 2024. 

Most accidents happen fast and without warning: cars cut in, wheels catch uneven pavement, or riders brake too hard. Teens, young adults, and first-time riders face the greatest risks, especially when helmets are ignored. Even minor crashes can lead to serious legal and medical consequences. 

This article explores the most common brain injuries from electric scooter accidents, prevention measures, and how you can pursue compensation if you’re a victim.

5 Common Brain Injuries from Electric Scooter Accidents in California

Negligence often turns a scooter crash into both a medical emergency and a legal matter. Below are the most common brain injuries seen in scooter accidents and the warning signs you should never ignore.

1. Concussions

Concussions occur when your brain shifts inside your skull after a sudden impact—a risk that happens sharply with brain injury and bike injuries without a helmet. Symptoms include headaches, confusion, dizziness, or temporary memory loss due to falls from scooters, side collisions with cars, or abrupt stops. 

Even “mild” concussions can support a personal injury claim because they may affect your daily life, work, and mental health. By wearing a helmet, you significantly lower the risk of suffering from a brain or spinal cord injury. 

2. Contusions and hematomas

Contusions are bruises on the brain, while hematomas involve internal bleeding, such as epidural or subdural hematomas. These injuries can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, or neurological deficits like slurred speech or weakness. Side-impact crashes, hitting curbs, or falling off sidewalks frequently trigger them.

Quick medical evaluation and documentation matter for your recovery and legal case. Riders face higher risks of head injuries from not wearing a helmet, making these traumas more severe and complicated to treat.

3. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)

DAI often results from high-speed collisions, crashes with vehicles, or sudden stops that fling the rider forward. It can cause long-term cognitive problems, physical impairments, or permanent disability. 

Legally, these injuries often strengthen claims for significant compensation, as they demonstrate serious, lasting harm. Helmets reduce the impact but can’t always prevent fiber shearing in severe crashes.

4. Skull fractures

Skull fractures appear in several forms: linear, depressed, and basilar. Falls at high speed or striking pavement or vehicles can lead to these fractures. Skull fractures often accompany other brain injuries, increasing both medical urgency and legal weight. If you experience these injuries, you may need extensive documentation to guarantee insurance or liability claims cover medical costs and recovery.

5. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Complications

TBIs include all the injuries above and can create long-term effects like memory loss, mood disorders, and motor impairments. Even minor TBIs deserve attention, as untreated symptoms can worsen over time. Legally, documented TBIs support claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care. 

How a Pedestrian or Rider Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you or a loved one experiences a head injury with no helmet, consulting an attorney can help determine your options for recovery and compensation. Here’s how legal support helps:

1. Conduct a thorough accident investigation

Your lawyer can evaluate the incident using traffic camera footage, witness statements, and vehicle or scooter data. Detailed investigations can prove negligence, clarify fault, and build a strong foundation for your claim.

2. Evaluate who is legally responsible

Accidents can involve multiple parties, including other drivers, property owners, or municipal authorities. Consulting an attorney can help you identify liable parties and determine how negligence contributed to your injuries.

3. Organize medical records and document losses

Attorneys properly document every injury, treatment, and associated cost, such as:

• Hospital bills
• Therapy costs
• Lost income
• Long-term care expenses

These records are critical for fair compensation.

4. Handle insurance negotiations strategically

Insurance companies often minimize payouts or assign partial blame to the victim. A lawyer can negotiate assertively, presenting evidence and expert testimony to secure a settlement that reflects the full impact of your injuries.

5. Represent clients in court when necessary

If negotiations fail, an attorney can take your case to court. They advocate damages covering medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering to hold negligent parties accountable.

Protecting Your Ride and Your Rights

Brain injuries from electric scooter accidents can change your life in an instant. Even a low-speed fall or minor collision can cause concussions, contusions, or severe traumatic brain injuries. Helmets and traffic laws reduce risk, but they don’t make you invincible. So when accidents happen, you must have strong legal support to protect your health, finances, and future.

An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can make sure that your injuries are documented, liability is clear, and fair compensation is pursued. RMD Law’s personal injury attorneys can specifically guide you through every step of the claims process, from investigations to insurance negotiations and court representation. 

Schedule a free consultation today to protect your rights and recovery.

FAQs

What brain injuries can result from electric scooter accidents?

Common injuries include concussions, contusions, hematomas, diffuse axonal injuries, and skull fractures. Even mild injuries can affect daily life.

Who is most at risk for head injuries on scooters?

Teens, young adults, and inexperienced riders face the highest risks. Low visibility, traffic congestion, and unfamiliar roads increase accident chances.

How does wearing a helmet help?

A helmet protects the skull and brain during falls or collisions, reducing the severity of brain and bike injuries.

Can I pursue compensation after an accident?

Yes. An attorney can document injuries, establish liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court to secure medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care.

When should I contact a lawyer?

Reach out as soon as possible. Early legal guidance preserves evidence, strengthens your case, and guarantees your rights are protected throughout the medical and claims process.

Where can I get legal help for scooter accidents in California?

RMD Law specializes in personal injury claims for e-scooter and bike accidents. We guide victims through investigations, insurance negotiations, and court representation.