During a recent five-year period, the number of injuries related to motorized scooter accidents increased by 222 percent to more than 39,000 injuries, according to University of California researchers. Austin Public Health conducted a separate study, finding that for every 100,000 electronic scooter trips taken, 20 individuals will suffer injuries. According to that research, nearly half of scooter accident victims were younger than 30. Approximately one-third of the injured riders were first-time scooter riders. Nearly half of those who suffered injuries in electric scooter accidents sustained serious injuries.
Despite these alarming e scooter accident statistics, many cities are continuing to roll out electric scooters for rent as an alternative form of transportation. If you or a loved one was injured in a scooter accident, you might be entitled to compensation for the personal injuries you sustained. A scooter accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan can help you learn about your legal rights and options during a free consultation.
Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents
There are now more than 40,000 injuries stemming from scooter accidents each year. Still, many major cities are further increasing the availability of e scooters. Some of the common causes behind these elevated scooter accident rates include:
Distractions
Some scooter riders drastically underestimate the care that is necessary to handle a motorized scooter carefully. Scooter riders may text, listen to music, adjust controls, or engage in other distracting behaviors, increasing the likelihood of scooter accidents and serious injury.
Road Hazards
Many scooter riders do not realize how small electric scooters are compared to other motor vehicles. These riders may not realize that these vehicles cannot easily handle road hazards like potholes or unexpected drops. Hitting a road hazard can cause an electric scooter rider to fall off the scooter and hit the ground at 15 miles per hour.
Unsafe Riding
Some electric scooter riders do not take riding seriously. They might not wear helmets or other protective gear. They may participate in sidewalk riding or other dangerous driving behaviors, which can lead to broken bones and trips to the emergency room.
Scooter Malfunction
Some electric scooter accidents are due to scooter malfunction because the scooter companies have failed to properly maintain the vehicles. In these situations, scooter companies might be held liable for the personal injuries that arise.
Impairment
The Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Center reports that of the injured riders tested, about 48 percent of them were driving under the influence.
What To Do After an Electric Scooter Accident in Brockton, MA
If you were injured in an electric scooter accident you believe might have been caused by someone else’s negligence, follow these steps to protect your health and your legal claim:
- Seek medical attention – The first thing you should do is tend to your health. Seek immediate medical attention if you are seriously injured.
- Report the accident – Report the scooter accident to the local law enforcement agency to create a record of it.
- Contact the insurance company – Make an insurance claim regarding the scooter accident.
- Keep track of all evidence of your injuries and financial losses – Keep all original medical records, medical bills, check stubs that show lost wages, repair invoices for your vehicle, and notes regarding your pain and suffering.
- Contact an electric scooter accident attorney – A scooter accident attorney can help you make your claim. Most scooter accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not have to pay for their services unless they help you recover compensation for the scooter accident. You can contact our Brockton scooter accident lawyers for a free case evaluation to discuss your case.
Contact Our Electric Scooter Accident Attorneys in Brockton, MA Today
If you were injured in a scooter accident, contact the electric scooter accident lawyers from The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan for help determining if you have a claim and who can be held liable for your personal injuries. Our injury law firm has been successfully battling insurance companies that refuse to pay fair compensation on accident claims for years.
Receive your free consultation today when you call our injury law firm today.