If you have been to any major city in California, you may have seen people taking pedicabs — tricycles with a covered seat on the back, typically for multiple passengers.
Pedicabs have become a popular mode of transportation in many California cities for tourists and residents alike, as they offer an eco-friendly and fun way to navigate busy streets. Like any other vehicle, pedicabs and their drivers must meet specific safety regulations and follow state laws to ensure the safety of riders, operators, and the community at large.
California has several laws that ensure pedicabs are operated safely, including age and license requirements, speed limits, restrictions on where they can operate, passenger limits, inspections, insurance, and alcohol restrictions.
If a pedicab operator violates one or more of these laws and causes you harm, you have the right to file a claim and pursue compensation for your losses.
With the help of Jassim Law, you can seek the justice you deserve and hold the pedicab operator accountable for their negligence. Our exceptional comprehensive legal services have garnered many positive reviews from real clients that can give you peace of mind that your claim is in the right hands.
10 Important California Pedicab Safety Laws You Should Know
When anyone is operating a vehicle, they have an obligation to act safely and protect those around them from harm, which is called a duty of care. This duty also applies to pedicab drivers who must follow California’s safety laws and regulations, which include the following:
- Age: A pedicab’s operator and safety monitor must be at least 21 years of age.
- License: All pedicab operators must have a valid California driver’s license.
- Speed Limits: Pedicabs cannot operate on streets with a posted speed limit of over 30 miles per hour unless crossing an intersection.
- Alcohol: The pedicab operator and safety monitor cannot provide passengers alcohol, but passengers can bring it in sealed, unopened containers. Passengers must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
- Inspection: Pedicabs must be inspected yearly by an entity the local jurisdiction designates.
- Insurance: Pedicab operators must have a city-approved insurance policy that usually includes a minimum of $1,000,000 of general liability insurance and $500,000 of general umbrella insurance.
- Weather: Pedicab operators should not ride in weather conditions that could be unsafe for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
- Location: Pedicabs cannot operate on sidewalks or freeways and must stay as close to the right curb as possible.
- Capacity: Pedicabs should not carry more passengers than the number of available seats. Carrying too many passengers can make the vehicle difficult to control and increase the risk of an accident.
- Safety Equipment: For optimal safety, pedicabs must have seatbelts, seatbacks, reflectors, brakes, grab rails, and headlights.
While these laws are in place to keep pedicab operators, passengers, and others safe, many neglect their duty to follow them and cause serious accidents and injuries. At Jassim Law, we can help you understand these laws and how they may apply to your claim.
Our detail-oriented team can help prove the pedicab operator violated state law with evidence, such as video footage, witness testimony, and the police report. With this information, we can build a strong claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and give you the best chance of securing maximum compensation.
Contact the Experienced Lawyers at Jassim Law to Discuss Your California Pedicab Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a pedicab accident, understanding your rights and the applicable laws is critical to ensuring fair compensation. At Jassim Law, we know how devastating these incidents can be, especially when they result from an operator’s failure to follow California’s pedicab safety laws. With over two decades of experience, we take pride in helping victims seek the justice they deserve while making the community safer for everyone.
Attorney Pajman Jassim, a Super Lawyer from 2017-2024, brings extensive courtroom experience and a commitment to ensuring his clients receive fair treatment under the law. Our team offers personalized, comprehensive legal services, guiding you through every step of the process. Acting quickly is crucial after a pedicab accident, so reach out to us as soon as you are well enough to pick up the phone. For a free consultation, contact Jassim Law at (858) 524-6140 or use our contact form.