Class-action lawsuit takes aim at Lime, Bird scooters

LOS ANGELES – Chipped teeth, cut lips, broken bones and bruises are some of the injuries inflicted on pedestrians hit by scooters and on scooter riders themselves, a new class-action lawsuit alleges.

The following, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, takes aim at Lime and Bird, the two most prolific providers of the on-demand, California. It also lists Segway and Xiaomi, the two manufacturers of Lime and Bird scooters, respectively.

Representing eight plaintiffs, the following alleges Lime and Bird, which is known to be distributed, which is intended for personal use. Catherine Lerer, a lawyer with the Santa Monica-based firm, McGee Lerer & Associates, who is one of two attorneys representing the plaintiffs.

Before filing the suit, she said she was getting ready for one or two calls every day on injuries from faulty scooters or from reckless scooter riders crashing into them.

"These scooters are unsafe," Lerer said. "Riders and pedestrians are being injured at an alarming rate."

A spokesman for Bird did not deny the allegations but said the safety concerns are misplaced. Personal injury lawyers "should be focused on reducing the 40,000 deaths caused by cars every year in the U.S.," along with the pollution cars cause, the company said in a statement. Lime did not immediately return a request for comment.

"At Bird, safety is our very top priority," the statement reads, "and it drives us to the road to make it safer and more livable."

While their goals are laudable, Lerer said it does not matter the companies' responsibility to provide equipment that can withstand daily, commercial use. Riders are being injured because they are seizing, brakes are failing, and handlebar posts are collapsing, among other issues, she said.

There are all kinds of mechanical issues because we believe these scooters are not adequately maintained, "Lerer said.

Lime on Friday rolled out its next-generation scooter with "larger wheels, mountain bike-style dual suspension and dual braking," which the company said leads to "safer, sturdier and smoother ride on bumpy or imperfect terrain."

Still, Lerer said they should not stop riding on their side, they should not go. Nor will it keep riders from discarding the scooters on sidewalks and creating tripping hazards, she said.

ER departments were prepared, she said.

"No one was prepared for these," Lerer said. "No one knew how to adjust to them."