Electric scooter companies may be worth billions of dollars, but they’re also contributing to an increasing number of accidents that are either caused by faulty scooters or reckless drivers. Hospitals across the country are now reporting an increase in the number of emergencies caused by electric scooter accidents. Last year alone, electric scooters accounted for more than 1500 injuries, ranging from minor scrapes to serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, and even brain injury. The numbers could be much higher because hospitals haven’t yet started tracking scooter-related injuries. Florida-based scooter accident attorney, Jarrett Blakeley, shares a few tips that could help you to prevent these accidents:
• Wear Safety Helmets:
There are no official records on injuries that could have been prevented if injured drivers had worn helmets, but by counting patients who were hurt on electric scooters, doctors do claim that a lot of injuries could have been avoided if the drivers wore helmets. While drivers below 18 are required by law to wear helmets before riding an electric scooter, it is not mandatory for people over 18. California was one of the very few states that required all riders to wear helmets, and this too was scrapped last year. Some companies like Bird are now offering helmets for free, but not everyone’s interested in wearing them. Regardless of the law, wearing a helmet when riding an electric scooter is the right thing to do. It may seem uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it over time.
• Follow the Rules:
Some states allow the use of electric scooters only in the bike lane, or on the right-hand side of the road, but not on sidewalks. In some states, you can ride electric scooters in the bike lane or on the sidewalk. And in some states, like Colorado, riding on sidewalks is the only option available since electric scooters are considered toy vehicles. It helps to understand the rules of your local area before you ride an electric scooter. They’re not allowed on pavements and highways for obvious reasons: they’re potentially dangerous to the riders as well as other drivers. Similarly, different states follow different speed limits. In some states the speed limit is at 8 mph and in some the limit is 15 mph. And of course, it goes without saying, you cannot piggyback on an electric scooter. These are single-use vehicles only.
• Check the Scooter Before Use:
A large number of accidents are caused by damaged or malfunctioning scooters. From broken brakes to sticky accelerators and motor failures, a lot of things can go wrong when riding an electric scooter. Before you pick one, make sure that the vehicle works well. Do not ride one if you suspect it to be faulty. And if you have been injured in an accident, call an electric scooter accident attorney to help you understand the next best course of action.
