With so many great places to visit and beautiful weather year round, millions of people from around the world are drawn to San Francisco, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. This vibrant city offers a wide array of great sight-seeing opportunities which prompts many visitors to take self-guided tours on Segways and other types of small vehicle transport.

Unfortunately, vacations are sometimes spoiled by accidents wherein people using these fun and convenient modes of transportation suffer serious injuries. Our San Francisco personal injury lawyers handle cases involving accidents on self-guided tours to help those injured receive the compensation they are due.

Segway Accidents

The Segway Personal Transporter is a 2-wheeled, self-stabilizing transportation device that is categorized in California as being an electric personal assisted mobility device or EPAMD. While state law allows EPAMDs to be used on public sidewalks, roads, bicycle paths, trails and in bike lanes, many jurisdictions limit their use in some ways. In San Francisco, for example, the use of EPAMDs including Segways is prohibited on public sidewalks.

People who fall off Segways or whom collide with other motor vehicles while riding these self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicles can become seriously injured. If a car or truck strikes a Segway, the rider can sustain life-changing injuries as the rider is exposed and offered very little protection. Segway riders who are struck by cars or trucks can also die. In this type of tragic case, the surviving loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death claim wherein they are compensated for their loss.

Even though a Segway only reaches the top speed of 12.5 miles per hour, serious injuries can happen when falling off the device or when colliding with something like a light pole, wall or another vehicle. Segway accidents can result in all types of injuries including:

• Contusions
• Facial injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries

There have been many reports of Segway accidents occurring throughout the years when the transporter did not act as it should in response to the controls. These vehicles have also stopped suddenly or jerked unexpectedly to throw riders off, resulting in them becoming injured.

If a Segway or another type of small vehicle transport led you in the wrong direction wherein you crashed or a malfunction triggered an accident that caused you serious injuries, you should speak with a San Francisco personal injury attorney about seeking compensation. You may be able to recover compensation to cover your medical expenses (past, present & future), lost wages and pain & suffering.

Who Can Be Held Liable

Many small vehicle transport accidents are caused by operator error. However, other times injuries can result because of some type of product defect. In California, any commercial supplier of a product can be held liable for injuries resulting from the sale of a defective product. A commercial supplier is any retailer, wholesaler or dealer that’s involved in the commercial transaction of the product in question.

In addition to retailers, wholesalers and dealers, rental companies also can be held liable for injuries sustained by small vehicle transport riders who rented the vehicles for personal use. While a rental company may require renters to sign waivers which limit their ability to recover damages if accidents occur, waivers are not always iron-clad. For example, if a rental company exhibits gross negligence which is defined as wanton or reckless indifference to the safety of others, the rental company can be held liable in spite of there being a signed waiver.

Our Bay Area personal injury attorneys are experienced in handling product liability cases involving Segways and other types of small vehicle transport. We have the resources needed successfully fight for your rights so that you are compensated for what happened to you. Call us today for a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7 to speak with you.