Injuries Related to Alternative Transportation on the Rise
E-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards are everywhere in recent years. With their growing presence comes a sharp increase in injuries, some fatal, according to a recent report from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). One need look no further than the recently publicized accidents involving two celebrities. In August, Simon Cowell broke his back and required surgery after an electric bike accident. Earlier this month, pictures of a bruised Rihanna appeared following her involvement in an e-scooter crash. They are not alone – data gathered by the CPSC from 2017 through 2019 revealed that thousands of riders have sustained various injuries during those years. Dozens of others were killed in such accidents.
The CPSC report focused on these “micro-mobility” devices, which provide an easy, economical, and convenient alternative mode of short-distance travel compared to hopping on public transportation or driving a car. Users also say the mode of travel is more fun, as well. While that may be true, they also present a significant risk of injuries.
Reducing the Risks
The acting chairman of the CPSC advises that the odds of severe injuries are significantly reduced if riders simply reduce their speed and always wear a helmet. He also recommended remaining aware of your surroundings and being prepared to stop anytime.
Injury Statistics
Here are some statistics from the CPSC’s report regarding e-bikes and e-scooters:
- From 2017 through 2019, there were approximately 133,000 visits to an emergency room for injuries related to micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.
- E-scooters appear to be the biggest culprit – they accounted for 7,700 emergency room visits in 2017. That figure rose to 14,500 in 2018 and jumped in 2019 to 27,700.
- Fifty-eight percent of e-scooter injuries were sustained by people 25 years and older, while most hoverboard injuries involved kids younger than 15.
- The most common injuries caused by micro-mobility devices were fractures, contusions, and abrasions. The most commonly injured body parts were the extremities, neck, and head.
- The majority of the injuries recorded were due to falls. Other causes include crashes with other motor vehicles, loss of user control, and uneven pavement.
- The reporting on fatalities related to micro-mobility devices is incomplete. However, the CPSC noted at least 41 fatal injuries from 2017 through 2019.
Establishing Liability
Determining who may be liable (legally responsible) for such injuries can be complicated. The companies that rent the devices collect substantial data directly from the devices and riders. The information usually includes timestamps and geo-tracking locators. This information could help determine if a third party caused the accident. It is unclear whether the rental companies would be forthcoming in releasing information related to their clients.
Watch the YouTube video from Consumer Reports on e-scooter safety.
Sacramento Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. I’m Ed Smith, an electric scooter lawyer in Sacramento, California. Electric bikes and scooters are an environmentally friendly, fun, economical, and convenient way to travel short distances. They are not without substantial risk of injuries, however. Severe injuries are on the rise, especially in e-scooter use. Injuries suffered in such an accident can be severe, requiring hospitalization, surgeries, and/or extended rehabilitation. If you sustained injuries while operating a micro-mobility device due to the negligence of another, please call my office today for free, friendly advice. My local phone number is 916.921.6400, or if you will be calling from outside the 916 area code, our toll-free number is 800.404.5400. I also provide an online contact form on my website if you prefer.
Choosing an attorney can be a tough decision. With that in mind, I offer the links below so that you can read my prior clients’ reviews and review some of our case results.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/e-scooter-escooter-electric-scooter-4496668/
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