Two Teens Injured in Riverside E-Scooter Collision

Elderly Driver Involved in Major Injury Collision With Boys Riding E-Scooter on Mitchell Avenue in Riverside

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (August 26, 2026) – Two 14-year-old boys were seriously injured in a Riverside car accident while riding an e-scooter along Mitchell Avenue.

Riverside County officials are saying that the collision occurred around 7:45 PM on Tuesday. The two boys were attempting to cross Arlington Avenue as they were hit by a Lexus sedan that entered the intersection.

Paramedics arrived at the scene of the accident to help both of the victims. They were transported to a local area hospital in critical condition.

Video taken from the accident site showed the Lexus sedan with major damage to the windshield. Police interviewed the 88-year-old driver who remained at the scene.

A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Riverside County E-Scooter Collisions

California law requires drivers to use reasonable care to avoid collisions with cyclists and pedestrians. Drivers must maintain a safe speed and keep a lookout for potential hazards ahead of them. Even driving at the speed limit could be potentially unsafe given the prevailing conditions. Under California Vehicle Code section 21221, people using motorized scooters have the same rights and responsibilities as any other person operating a vehicle. Investigators will take into consideration risk factors when evaluating liability for any traffic collision involving an e-scooter rider.

• Right-of-way: It matters whether or not any driver was obeying traffic signals, stop signs and other traffic regulations prior to hitting a pedestrian.
• Speed: The speed of all parties involved is also hugely important. Drivers must never travel at a speed that would be greater than the road conditions they encounter.
• Electronic Evidence: Traffic intersections are normally covered by surveillance cameras. These can help reconstruct how a collision took place.
• Accident History: The number of collisions of any particular intersection can also be very important. An intersection with a high occurrence of traffic collisions may indicate underlying safety shortcomings.

When a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, they could be held legally responsible through a civil action. It is also possible that a city or other municipality could face liability for a traffic collision. This is particularly true if a traffic intersection was in a dangerous condition at the time of a crash. For example, an intersection may have an obstructed sight line due to overgrown foliage. When the city becomes aware of a dangerous condition, they must take action. Failing to correct a dangerous condition can form the basis of a negligence claim.

How Cities Can Prevent E-Scooter Collisions

E-scooter collisions remain a major public health concern across California and the rest of the United States. One report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that there were roughly 380,000 emergency department visits from 2017 through 2024 involving scooters. It is therefore imperative that cities and other municipal bodies take reasonable measures to help prevent these types of collisions. This is particularly important, given the recent popularity of micromobility devices.

• Safe Spaces: Perhaps one of the best ways to prevent car accidents is to create more spaces that totally separate pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders from vehicles. 
• Intersection Design: Protected crossing areas and clear pavement markings help make the paths that scooter riders take more visible.
• Traffic Calming: Cities can introduce traffic calming measures to reduce speeding. This can include reducing speed limits, installing speed bumps, and adding stop signs.
• Studies: Cities should study which intersections tend to have the most accidents and heavily address any safety concerns at those intersections first.

Preventing scooter accidents requires effort on the part of numerous individuals and agencies. In the vast majority of cases, e-scooter collisions can be prevented when drivers simply slow down and properly scan the road ahead of them. Unfortunately, negligent drivers and their insurance providers are not likely to accept responsibility if they seriously injure a pedestrian. This is why it is so important that victims consider their options with experienced legal counsel.

Getting Legal Help After E-Scooter Accidents

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to the children injured in this Riverside e-scooter collision and their families. It is our hope that they will be able to make a full recovery, and that all responsible parties are held accountable. City officials should strongly consider measures to help prevent other accidents like this. The sheer number of e-scooter collisions across California in recent years remains deeply concerning.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a California scooter accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of experienced Riverside County personal injury attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial assistance that they need to recover and move forward. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your unique situation, we are here to assist you. You can contact us anytime at 949-727-9300.