Did you experience a scooter accident in the past few months?
You’re not alone. The U.S. is witnessing a rapid surge in scooter accidents which force riders to face injuries and medical expenses along with difficult legal challenges.
The good news?
By learning the main causes and legal outcomes of scooter accidents you can safeguard yourself before and after an accident takes place.
What You Need to Know
- What’s Behind the Rise in Scooter Accidents
- Most Common Causes of Scooter Accidents
- Types of Injuries from Scooter Accidents
- Legal Rights After a Scooter Accident
- Steps to Take Following a Scooter Accident
- How an Attorney Can Help Your Case
What’s Behind the Rise in Scooter Accidents
Electric scooters have become extremely popular in recent years leading to a surge in their use. The growing presence of scooters on city streets has led to a corresponding rise in accidents.
But the numbers are shocking…
E-scooter related injuries experienced a 22% rise in 2022 compared to the year before. The consistent yearly rise of 23% in micromobility-related injuries since 2017 proves this isn’t a random spike.
Experts expect scooter injuries to reach an estimated 60,000 cases by 2024.
What’s Driving This Surge? Several Factors:
- Rapid expansion of scooter-sharing programs
- Lack of dedicated infrastructure
- Insufficient safety regulations
- Low rates of helmet use
Most Common Causes of Scooter Accidents
The initial measure to prevent scooter accidents involves understanding their root causes. Accident reports and studies reveal these common factors.
Poor Road Conditions
The small wheels of scooters make them highly susceptible to road hazards that larger vehicles can usually handle without much trouble.
- Potholes and cracks in the pavement
- Uneven surfaces or unexpected drops
- Debris or objects in the roadway
- Wet or slippery surfaces
A bump which appears insignificant to a car can launch a scooter rider into the air causing critical injuries.
Rider Inexperience
A large number of scooter accidents include riders who lack experience.
- New scooter operators often lack knowledge about how to operate the vehicle correctly.
- Unfamiliarity with local traffic patterns and rules
- Riders who struggle to respond swiftly to unexpected events may face difficulties.
- Overconfidence leading to reckless riding behavior
The availability of rental scooters now allows people with little to no experience to start riding without needing any training.
Visibility Issues
The limited size of scooters makes them less noticeable to other drivers compared to most vehicles on the road.
- Their low profile renders scooters less visible to drivers
- Many scooters lack adequate lighting or reflectors
- Riders usually choose dark attire but this trend increases during nighttime hours.
- Bad weather reduces visibility for scooter riders which increases safety risks.
Research indicates that scooter accidents are primarily caused by riding while impaired and insufficient visibility.
Traffic Conflicts
Scooter riders move through traffic alongside vehicles, pedestrians, and multiple other road users.
- There is ongoing uncertainty about whether scooters should operate within bike lanes, on sidewalks, or in vehicle lanes.
- Vehicle operators who neglect to check for scooters before turning or switching lanes pose a risk.
- Pedestrians stepping into scooter paths without looking
- Conflicts with bicyclists over shared lanes
Accidents will persist until clear rules designate proper places for scooters.
Types of Injuries from Scooter Accidents
Scooter crash injuries can be minor or lead to life-threatening conditions.
- Head injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries
- Facial trauma: Cuts, dental injuries, eye damage
- Fractures: Broken arms, wrists, collarbones, and legs
- Road rash refers to skin abrasions caused by sliding across pavement surfaces.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears
E-scooter riders wear helmets less often than conventional scooter riders which results in more serious injuries. Head injuries present a significant risk because they can produce permanent damage.
Legal Rights After a Scooter Accident
Experienced scooter accident lawyers can assist you to understand your legal rights and estimate the worth of your claim. Professional legal advice becomes essential when dealing with complicated scooter accident claims.
Your legal rights might include compensation for:
- Medical expenses (both current and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
Available legal remedies rely on various conditions such as fault determination and whether the scooter was rented or owned along with the insurance coverage details.
Determining Liability in Scooter Accidents
Scooter accident liability involves several parties who may share responsibility for the incident.
- Drivers who break traffic laws or do not yield represent other motorists.
- Scooter rental companies may face liability when they supply faulty equipment or fail to provide sufficient instructions.
- Local governments can be held liable when they fail to maintain safe roadways.
- Scooter manufacturers: For design or manufacturing defects
- Property owners who create hazardous conditions or neglect to correct existing dangers
An attorney works to identify all possible liable parties which will help increase your compensation recovery.
Steps to Take Following a Scooter Accident
The steps you follow after a scooter accident will affect both your health outcomes and your legal rights.
- Get medical help right away because injury symptoms might not show up until days later.
- Contact the police to secure an official report about the accident.
- You must take pictures of the accident scene along with your injuries and the scooter.
- Record contact information for all individuals who observed the accident scene.
- Maintain the damaged scooter and all worn clothing and helmet intact as evidence.
- Inform your insurance provider about the accident but do not provide recorded statements without consulting an attorney first.
- Seek legal advice from a lawyer who specializes in scooter accident cases before agreeing to any settlement offers
Each state has different deadlines for personal injury claims so it’s crucial to act promptly.
How an Attorney Can Help Your Case
The process of dealing with post-accident procedures becomes more challenging when you are in the middle of injury recovery. An attorney specializing in scooter accidents can:
- Investigate the accident to determine liability
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Calculate your damages, including future impacts
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Negotiate for maximum compensation
- Take your case to trial if necessary
An attorney experienced with scooter accident cases understands the particular difficulties such cases present and their specific legal and insurance complexities.
Demographic Concerns in Scooter Accidents
Although children aged 14 and under only make up 18% of the U.S. population they represent 36% of people injured by micromobility devices.
Non-Hispanic Black consumers encounter significantly higher injury rates involving micromobility devices. Safety education programs need to focus on specific communities because these disparities exist.
Preventing Scooter Accidents
Preventing accidents takes priority even though it’s essential to understand legal consequences. Here are key safety tips:
- Wearing a helmet consistently helps to minimize the chance of sustaining a head injury.
- Perform a pre-ride inspection of the scooter to verify the functionality of brakes and steering mechanisms.
- Whenever bike lanes exist use them for riding your scooter
- To ensure you can be seen by others at night wear bright-colored clothing and attach lights to yourself
- You should keep both hands positioned on the handlebars to maintain control.
- Do not operate scooters when intoxicated because alcohol and drugs negatively affect your decision-making abilities.
- Adhere to traffic regulations by following signals and signs and respecting lane markings
- Ride defensively – Assume drivers don’t see you
Wrapping It All Up
Scooter accidents create severe physical injuries and result in costly financial burdens while generating complex legal issues. The increasing popularity of scooters demands that riders understand both the dangers and their legal rights.
Scooter accidents create special problems due to inadequate infrastructure, rider inexperience and legal complexities.
After sustaining an injury you should know you don’t need to handle the consequences by yourself. Working with an attorney will positively impact your recovery process.
A better self-protection strategy involves understanding accident causes while taking preventative actions and executing proper steps afterward.