New studies about electric scooters show what many parents in Homestead and other communities already know: e-scooters are responsible for serious injuries. While popular, electric scooters caused thousands of injuries last year and there is growing concern about the life-threatening injuries possible with this mode of transportation.
Unfortunately, many injuries with these devices affect children under the age of 18. Common injuries include head trauma, fractures, facial abrasions, and other serious injuries. You can reduce your risk of collisions if you:
- Wear a helmet. Studies have shown most serious accidents involving e-scooters involve head trauma and you can reduce your risk of this type of injury by wearing a properly-fitted and correctly-worn helmet each time you ride your scooter.
- Follow traffic laws. Many accidents are caused when scooter owners think the rules don’t apply to them. Whizzing by pedestrians on sidewalks can cause collisions with those pedestrians while trying to merge with car traffic can have fatal consequences, since drivers may not be able to see you.
- Ride sober. Alcohol was linked to multiple e-scooter injuries in the most recent study. When you ride high or inebriated, your response times are more likely to be slower and you may be more likely to make poor decisions. Driving under the influence can also affect your balance and make you more likely to tip over.
- Slow down. Scooters can go up to 15mph but because they have two wheels they may be less stable in wet conditions and bad weather. Be sure to adopt the right speed for the conditions around you and slow down as needed.
- Ride alert. Distractions can be fatal on an e-scooter. Listening to music or checking messages may not seem dire because electric scooter is much slower than a car, but even a second of inattention can be enough to cause a serious collision. Always ride defensively and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Use extra caution at night. E-scooters are smaller and pedestrians and cars may not see you. Wear reflective clothing and light colors and make sure you can see well yourself. Keep in mind that electric scooters are more vulnerable to seemingly minor obstacles. Rolling over an unexpected pothole in the dark on an e-scooter is enough to cause a crash and serious injuries.
- Limit your electric scooter to one person. E-scooters are designed to be operated by one person. Never take on two people on a vehicle intended for one. The extra weight will likely cause you to lose control of the vehicle, putting you both at risk.
There have already been a number of lawsuits around the country filed against e-scooter companies because of serious injuries caused by these vehicles. Unfortunately, a broken bone or head injury caused by a crash with this type of vehicle can cost tens of thousands of dollars or even more in medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other losses.
If you have been injured in an e-scooter collision, call Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to arrange a free accident consultation with a Homestead car accident attorney. Our offices in Hollywood, Homestead, and Miami serve the entire South Florida area and your first consultation with us is free and comes with no obligation.