Study Explores Electric Scooter Injuries

 Posted on January 31, 2019 in Product Liability

Electric scooters can be a fun and efficient way to get around town. From New York to Chicago to Los Angeles, more and more people are using electric scooters for transportation. Unfortunately, these vehicles are not without risk. Because the rider stands on top of the scooter, it can be easy to fall off. Keeping your balance on a scooter may also be harder than it looks, especially in crowded or obstacle-filled streets. Until recently, there was almost formal data regarding electric scooter safety. Now, a new study shows that scooter injuries are quite common and can range in severity from bruises to serious head injuries.

Research Suggests Scooter Falls Are on the Rise

The study, which was recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 249 patients who visited the emergency room for scooter-related injuries in the Los Angeles area. Although scooters are thought of as nearly risk-free, injuries resulting from scooter falls or crashes are being more prevalent. Of the patients studied, about 40 percent suffered head injuries and roughly a third had broken bones. A noteworthy number of scooter-related injuries occurred in patients younger than 18. Simply falling off the scooter accounted for over 80 percent of the injuries studied while about 11 percent of injured scooter riders ran into an obstacle. Although most electric scooters only reach speeds of about 15 miles per hour, falling off a scooter, colliding with an obstacle, or being struck by a car while riding a scooter can cause serious injuries or even death. Dr. Joann Elmore, professor of medicine at UCLA and senior author of the study, says that scooter riders are underestimating the potential danger of these vehicles.  

Lawsuits Arising from Scooter Injuries

Some people who were involved in scooter-related injuries have filed lawsuits in order to recover compensation for medical bills or missed work. As with any personal injury lawsuit, the issue of negligence is the central concern when it comes to electric scooter lawsuits. Claimants must prove that their injury was caused by negligence in order to collect reimbursement through a civil suit of this kind. For example, if negligent design led to the injuries, the designer of the scooter may be held liable. Likewise, a scooter with faulty parts may have been manufactured carelessly which would make the manufacturer responsible for any injuries sustained. Assigning blame for defective products can be an intricate and demanding task. This is why it is critical for any person pursuing a defective product personal injury suit to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney.

Contact an Experienced Winnebago County Defective Products Attorney

Call the Rockford personal injury lawyers at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, if you have further questions about pursuing compensation for your injuries through a defective products lawsuit. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our dedicated professionals by calling 815-215-7561 today.

Sources:

https://www.livescience.com/64593-electric-scooter-injuries-study.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-electric-scooters-injuries-20180906-story.html