Electric scooters have surged in popularity over the past decade or so. They offer a convenient, eco-friendly way to get around town. Tourists, commuters, and casual riders use them to easily navigate congested city streets, many preferring an electric scooter to cars and bicycles because they offer a fun, compact alternative.
Unfortunately, electric scooters—or e-scooters as they’re often called—present more safety risks than most people realize. In one study published in JAMA Netw Open, researchers found that injuries associated with these devices were common, with the most frequent types of injuries being fractures, head injuries, and contusions, sprains, and lacerations. Sometimes, the injuries can be severe, resulting in lifelong disabilities.
If you were seriously injured on an e-scooter, our Virginia Beach personal injury attorneys will be happy to help. All we do is injury law, so we have a thorough understanding of how to put together a strong case on your behalf.
The Hidden Dangers of Electric Scooters
Riders may believe that e-scooters offer a fun and harmless way to get around, but recent data shows that they can be much more dangerous than people think.
According to doctors writing in Anesthesiology News, the increase in popularity of these devices has been associated with “a sharp uptick in deaths, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal organ injuries and extremity fractures.” The doctors go on to note that the speed of these scooters can also be deadly, particularly when scooter riders run into vehicles or when they crash without helmets.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported in October 2023 that injuries associated with all micromobility devices (including e-scooters, hoverboards, and e-bikes) had increased nearly 21 percent between 2021 and 2022.
Common causes of injuries with e-scooters include the following:
- Collisions with vehicles: A scooter’s small profile and silent operation can make them difficult for motorists to see.
- Poor infrastructure: Many cities don’t have proper bike lanes for scooters, leaving them to operate on sidewalks—where they may put pedestrians in danger—or on the roads, where riders must cope with vehicles, uneven surfaces, potholes, and other hazards.
- Design malfunctions: Faulty brakes and defective tires can compromise a rider’s ability to control the scooter. Software issues can also cause malfunctions and other problems. In 2019, for example, a software error in Lime scooters resulted in the front wheels locking up randomly mid-ride, causing at least 30 injuries and 155 known accidents.
- Rider behavior: Some scooter accidents are caused by reckless riders who speed, ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or weave in and out of people or cars. Riders who fail to wear helmets, as well, put themselves at risk of serious head injuries.
Who’s Liable in an E-Scooter Accident?
If you were hurt in an e-scooter accident, it’s best to call a personal injury lawyer for help. We will thoroughly investigate your case to determine who is at fault—which can be complicated sometimes, as it’s not always clear-cut.
One or more of the following may be held liable in an e-scooter accident:
- Scooter Rider: Perhaps you were a pedestrian hit by a scooter rider. If the rider was negligent and you did not otherwise contribute to the accident the rider may be held responsible for any injuries they cause to you and others.
- Motor Vehicle Driver: If you were riding a scooter and were hit by a car, the driver of that car may be at fault, particularly if they were speeding or otherwise driving distracted or under the influence.
- Scooter Rental Company: Many riders rent their e-scooters from major companies like Lime and Bird. That means these companies are responsible for properly maintaining their scooters and for providing appropriate instructions and warnings. If your scooter malfunctioned while you were riding it, the scooter company may be at fault.
- City or Municipality: If poor road conditions or infrastructure contributed to your accident, it’s unlikely but possible that the city or other municipality may be held liable.
At Shapiro, Washburn, and Sharp, we comb through eyewitness accounts, police reports, and expert analysis to draw an accurate picture of your accident and those who were involved in it. Gathering evidence to support your case, we will help negotiate with the insurance companies to get you the compensation you are entitled to.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?
E-scooter accidents can be extremely dangerous. Injured victims deserve compensation. With over 100 years of combined experience, our personal injury lawyers know how to navigate the legal process to help you put your life back together, as we did for this victim who was awarded a $1 million settlement in her case.
Contact us today—we have offices in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.