Are Scooters Safe? A Look at Scooter Accident Statistics
Scooters have taken off in popularity among children and adults in the last decade. As you might expect, this means that scooter accidents have increased as well. Because scooters haven’t been around as long as other types of non-vehicle transportation like bicycles, studies are only beginning to come out that show scooter accident, scooter injury and scooter fatality statistics.
Scooter accident attorney
Safety experts caution that anyone riding a scooter should be aware that they are risking a serious injury. If you were injured in a scooter accident because of the negligence of another, contact a scooter accident attorney as soon as you are able. The scooter injury lawyer can discuss your legal rights and may be able to help you recover damages.
Scooter accident statistics
A scooter accident study out of Southern California gathered medical records from two UCLA hospitals in Los Angeles and Santa Monica between September 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018. The study, which was released in January, 2019, counted 249 emergency room visits relating to standing electric scooters during the study period.
The vast majority of the injured riders (91.6 percent) were hurt when they fell off the scooter, crashed into another object or were hit by a vehicle/object. A small number of these scooter injuries (8.4 percent) were to pedestrians who crashed into a scooter, tripped over a scooter or were trying to lift a scooter. Only 4.4 percent of those injured in a scooter accident were wearing a helmet. No fatalities were reported but two patients were treated in the intensive care unit.
Ten percent of the injured riders were under the age of 18 and almost a quarter were between the ages of 41 and 64. More than 50 percent of those injured were men.
Reported scooter injuries:
- Bone fractures,
- Dislocations,
- Lung contusions,
- Soft-tissue injuries,
- and a splenic laceration.
Are scooters more dangerous than other types of transportation?
When comparing scooter accident data with emergency room visits to the same two emergency departments involving other types of transportation, it might be concluded that scooters are more dangerous. Compared to the 249 emergency room visits for scooter accidents, researchers identified 195 visits for bicycle injuries and 181 for pedestrian injuries over the same 12-month period. (Fatality data was not gathered and researchers say that they may have underestimated the number of scooter-related ER visits).
Scooter safety tips
- Wear a helmet which can dramatically reduce the risk of head injuries
- Avoid distractions like texting
- Stay alert to pedestrians and vehicles around you
- Never ride while intoxicated
- Make sure the scooter is in good working order
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!