E-scooter accidents happen fast. One moment you're cruising down Venice Beach, the next you're on the pavement wondering what just happened. If you've been hurt in an e-scooter accident in Los Angeles or Orange County, proving your claim requires the right evidence.
Think of evidence like pieces of a puzzle. Each piece helps create a complete picture of what happened and who's responsible for your injuries. Let's break down what evidence can make or break your case, and how to protect your legal rights throughout the process.
Take Photos Immediately
Your phone camera is your best friend after an accident. Take pictures of everything you can see. This includes the accident scene, your injuries, the e-scooter, any vehicles involved, and road conditions that might have contributed to the crash.
Don't forget to photograph things that might seem unimportant at first. That pothole on Sunset Boulevard might have caused your accident. The faded crosswalk paint could show the city didn't maintain the intersection properly, creating dangerous conditions for riders like you.
Take wide shots to show the overall scene. Then zoom in for details like scrapes on the scooter or cracks in the pavement. If you're too injured to take photos yourself, ask someone else to do it for you. Time is critical here.
Get Witness Information
Witnesses can be goldmines for your case. They saw what happened with fresh eyes, without the emotional trauma you're experiencing. They're not emotionally involved like you are, which makes their testimony incredibly valuable.
Ask witnesses for their contact information right away. Don't assume the police will get everyone's details. Sometimes witnesses leave before officers arrive, especially in busy areas like downtown Los Angeles or Newport Beach where people are always rushing somewhere.
Ask witnesses to write down what they saw while it's fresh in their memory. Even a quick note on their phone helps preserve crucial details. Memory fades fast, but written statements stick around and can be referenced months later during legal proceedings.
Police Reports Matter
Call the police even if your accident seems minor. A police report creates an official record of what happened. It includes important details like the date, time, location, weather conditions, and any contributing factors the officer observes.
The officer might also note traffic violations or cite someone for causing the accident. This can be huge for your case since it establishes fault from an official source. In Orange County and Los Angeles, police departments see lots of e-scooter accidents, so they know what to look for and document properly.
Get the report number and the officer's badge number. You'll need these to get a copy of the report later, which your attorney will use to build your case.
Medical Records Are Crucial
See a doctor right after your accident, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask pain and injuries, making you think you're fine when you're actually hurt. Some injuries like concussions or soft tissue damage don't show symptoms right away but can cause long-term problems.
Your medical records create a timeline of your injuries and treatment. They show what got hurt in the accident and how it affected your life both immediately and over time. Emergency room records, X-rays, MRI scans, and doctor's notes all help prove your injuries are real and accident-related.
Keep going to all your appointments. Missing treatments can hurt your case because it looks like your injuries weren't that serious, even if you're dealing with financial constraints or transportation issues.
E-Scooter Data and Device Evidence
Modern e-scooters collect lots of data. They track speed, location, braking patterns, battery status, and maintenance records continuously while you ride. This information can show if the scooter was working properly or if you were following traffic rules at the time of your accident.
Companies like Bird, Lime, and Spin store this data digitally on their servers. But they don't keep it forever due to storage costs and privacy policies. You need to request it quickly before it gets automatically deleted, sometimes within just 30 days.
If the scooter had mechanical problems, this data can prove the company was at fault for poor maintenance. Maybe the brakes failed or the steering was loose due to inadequate repairs. The scooter's GPS can also show exactly where and when the accident happened, down to the second.
Video Surveillance
Security cameras are everywhere in Los Angeles and Orange County. Businesses, traffic lights, residential buildings, and parking lots often have cameras that might have caught your accident on film.
Act fast to find and preserve video footage. Many systems automatically delete old recordings after a few days or weeks to save storage space. Send written requests to business owners or city traffic departments to save the footage immediately.
Dashboard cameras from nearby cars might have recorded your accident too. If you see any vehicles that were around during the crash, try to get their contact information before they drive away.
Employment and Income Records
If your injuries made you miss work, you need solid proof of your lost wages. Gather pay stubs, tax returns, and employment records that show your normal income pattern over time, not just a single week or month.
Get a letter from your employer explaining how much work you missed and how much money you lost as a direct result. If you're self-employed, collect invoices, contracts, and bank statements that show your typical earnings and how the accident disrupted your ability to work.
Expert Opinions
Sometimes you need experts to explain complex parts of your case to insurance companies or juries. Accident reconstruction specialists can analyze the crash scene and determine exactly how the accident happened, including speeds and impact forces.
Medical experts can explain how your injuries will affect your future health and earning ability beyond what's obvious. Engineers might need to inspect the e-scooter to find mechanical defects that weren't apparent at first glance.
Social Media and Personal Documentation
Be careful with social media after your accident. Insurance companies often check your posts to find anything that contradicts your injury claims, like photos of you being active when you claim to be in pain.
On the flip side, your posts from before the accident might help your case significantly. They can show how active and healthy you were before getting hurt, establishing a baseline for your quality of life.
Keep a detailed journal about how your injuries affect your daily life. Write down your pain levels, activities you can't do anymore, sleep disruptions, and how the accident changed your routine in ways both big and small.
Insurance Communications
Document every conversation with insurance companies. Save emails, letters, and take notes during phone calls including the representative's name and what was discussed. Insurance companies sometimes deny claims based on technicalities, so having a complete record protects you.
Be cautious about giving recorded statements without legal guidance. What seems like a simple question might actually be designed to undermine your claim later. If you're unsure about how to handle insurance communications, getting a second opinion from an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and avoid costly mistakes.
Start Collecting Evidence Now
The best time to gather evidence is right after your accident. Don't wait and hope everything works out on its own. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, surveillance footage gets deleted, and your own memories can fade or change over time.
Building a strong e-scooter accident case takes time and attention to detail, but it's absolutely worth the effort. With the right evidence properly preserved and presented, you can prove what happened and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Remember, this evidence isn't just about money – it's about holding responsible parties accountable and potentially preventing future accidents.
