The city of San Diego is planning to crack down on local Segway tour operators after a $1.7 million injury settlement in June and another wrongful death lawsuit filed last spring, claiming that a defective sidewalk caused the death of a Segway rider two years ago.
According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, a proposed ordinance by city officials would require Segway tour companies to apply for special permits, adhere to safety protocols, and obtain commercial liability insurance of at least $2 million per case and $4 million per year.
New Law Aims to Reduce Injuries From Segways
Officials say they hope the new ordinance will help reduce the number of injury crashes and limit the city’s vulnerability to large payouts when Segway injuries occur. The ordinance will also establish additional guidelines, such as forbidding the use of Segways by those who are intoxicated, requiring that users under the age of 18 be in the company of an adult, requiring that tour guides have a driver’s license, and conducting on-site training for all riders before they go on tours.
The new law, however, would not apply to electric scooters, which have become increasingly popular in San Diego this year. City officials are working on drafting a separate law for these scooters, which have reportedly resulted in major injuries.
A $1.7 million payout spurred new legislation by the city for a woman who suffered a shattered pelvis in a La Jolla Segway crash three years ago. The woman sustained severe injuries after driving a Segway over a significant portion of the broken and damaged street on Camino de la Costa. She needed surgery where doctors screwed in metal plates, and was left with permanent injuries and disabilities. In another wrongful death lawsuit, a man’s family alleged that a protruding sidewalk in Old Town caused his fatal Segway crash.
The Need for Regulation For Segways
Segways and electric scooters, gaining popularity in Southern California beach towns, require strict regulations. Cities should also require these companies, be they Segway or scooter operators, to carry liability insurance so injured individuals can adequately compensate for their injuries and losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Segway or electric scooter crash, contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer who will remain by your side, fight for your rights, and help ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries, damages, and losses.
