Introduction
An E-scooter is an electric scooter that is powered by a battery and can reach speeds of up to 20 mph. They are becoming increasingly popular as a way to get around town as an alternative to walking or biking. Accident or Injury the claim time is now.
Dangers of using E-Scooter
1. Head Injuries: Scooter users are at risk of suffering head injuries due to the lack of helmets. Without a helmet, your head is left unprotected and vulnerable to serious injury if you fall off or collide with another person or object.
2. Road Hazards: E-scooter riders are exposed to dangerous road hazards, such as potholes, debris, and traffic. Even with a helmet, you may still be at risk of serious injury if you hit a road hazard at speed.
3. Vehicle Collisions: E-scooters are not as visible to drivers as other motor vehicles and can be easily overlooked. This increases the risk of a collision with a vehicle, which can cause serious injury or even death.
4. Theft: E-scooters are small and easy to steal, and they can be expensive to replace. It is important to secure your scooter when not in use to minimise the risk of theft.
5. Battery Failure: The lithium-ion batteries used in most e-scooters are prone to failure. This can lead to unexpected power loss, which can cause you to lose control and fall off your scooter.
The cause of your road accident will be investigated by claim today where the claim time is now – get in touch with 25 years experienced Solicitor in your first call.
Department for Transport
The Government recently published A National Evaluation of E-scooter Trials, the latest step in the process of making the use of e-scooters legal. It is now only a matter of time before there are formal laws for E-scooters and they are fully legal. Claim Today have been assisting cyclists, pedestrians and E-scooter riders claim injury for many years, serving you since 1999.
Accidents on E-Scooter
E-scooter raiders have casualty rates three times higher than cyclists!
it is important the government plans for e-scooters bring in a full range of regulations to keep e-scooter riders safe on the roads, and protect the safety of pedestrians and other road and pavement users.
Statistics from USA
The exact casualty rates of e-scooters is difficult to measure due to their relative newness and lack of data in many areas. However, various studies have shown that e-scooters can pose a risk to public safety and can lead to injuries.
According to a study conducted by the University of California San Francisco, there were 20,000 e-scooter injuries in the United States in 2018 alone. A study from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found that e-scooter riders are more likely to experience head injuries than bicyclists.
Additionally, a study from the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that e-scooter riders were more likely to suffer injuries than bicyclists and pedestrians.
Overall, the data suggests that e-scooter riders are at a higher risk of sustaining injuries than other forms of transportation, such as bicycles or walking. It is important to wear protective gear and follow all safety rules when using an e-scooter in order to reduce the risk of injury.
What are the Risks in the UK?
E-scooter casualty rates in the UK vary depending on the area:
- In London, there were 1,135 reported electric scooter accidents in 2019
- In the West Midlands, there were 110 reported electric scooter casualties in 2019
- In Scotland, there were 50 reported electric scooter casualties in 2019. In Northern Ireland, there were no reported electric scooter casualties in 2019.
The Government report said that
- 71% of e-scooter users were male.
- 74%) of all users were under the age of 35
- E-scooters were rented and used most frequently by people who were male, young, on low incomes or from ethnic minority groups
- 90% of e-scooter journeys took place outside of the 7am to 9am morning rush hour
- Female e-scooter users said it was safer than walking home at night in the dark.
The risk of Injury and claim is high for E scooter riders – for advice and support get in touch Today.
E-scooter collisions: Causes
The accident rates are too high and worrying:
- 5% (one in 20) of rental e-scooter users had experienced at least one collision in the last 12 months.
- 82% of collisions were single vehicle accidents which did not involve another vehicle or pedestrian.
- 9% were collisions with cars. Inexperienced riders were more likely to have had a collision on their most recent trip.
- 38% of collisions involved first-time users, with 72% involving riders who had used an e-scooter fewer than five times.
- 40% of e-scooter users said their collision was the result of user errors, which included:
- misjudging the area being ridden
- misuse of the e-scooter
- speeding;
- riding while intoxicated (drink or drug driving);
- not paying attention to surroundings
- riding too close to other road or pavement users;
- irresponsible riding, such as “messing around”.
Other reasons for collisions included features of the (30%), such as potholes or slippery road surfaces, or actions by other road users, such as opening car doors.
Further Factors Causing E-Scooter Accidents
Many factors including the weather can cause your accident – for a no win no fee risk free claim, get in touch the claim time is now, call Claim Today
1. Distracted Driving: Riding an e-scooter while using a mobile phone, listening to music, or otherwise not paying full attention to the road can increase the risk of accidents.
2. Speeding: Going too fast for the conditions of the road or the capabilities of the scooter can lead to collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects.
3. Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, and other road hazards can cause an e-scooter to become unstable and lead to an accident.
4. Poor Visibility: Riding at night or in low-light conditions can reduce the rider’s ability to see potential hazards.
5. Inexperienced Riders: Lack of practice in controlling the scooter or understanding how to share the road with other vehicles can lead to collisions.
6. Poor Maintenance: Not properly maintaining an e-scooter can lead to mechanical failure, which can cause riders to lose control and crash.
7. Intoxication: Operating an e-scooter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause riders to make poor decisions and lead to dangerous situations.
Injuries From Accidents Involving E-Scooters
Injuries from accidents involving e-scooters can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even death.
Common causes of e-scooter accidents include crashing into a fixed object, colliding with another vehicle or person, or losing control due to a mechanical failure. Wearing a helmet and other protective gear can help reduce the risk of serious injuries or death.
The Government report says that two people have died from accidents involving e-scooters. Other serious injuries included concussion, whiplash, internal injuries, burns, severe shock and crushing. Upper limb injuries were more common than injuries to the legs and fee.
63% of e-scooter collisions led to injuries for the riders, of which 47% were limited to cuts and bruises. 70% of those who were injured did not seek medical attention, but 15% attended A&E.
Your injury can cause a lot of upset and difficulty for your personal, family and social life, make sure you get your entitlement to compensation – a recent study showed up to one and half a billions pounds of compensation is going unclaimed in the UK
Helmets
Helmets can be a big safety measure for E- scooter riders- please wear them! helmets protect e-scooter riders from head and facial injuries. Wearing a helmet while riding an e-scooter is the best way to protect yourself from potential head and neck injuries. Helmets also reduce the risk of concussion. Wearing a helmet is especially important for children, as their skulls are much more vulnerable to head injuries.
Helmets reduce the risk of skull and facial fractures for motorcyclists and pedal cyclists who are involved in RTA accidents, some reasons why not being worn:
- helmets were not automatically provided with the e-scooter
- not wearing a helmet on their last journey included not having one available (62%)
- Thinking not wasn’t necessary to wear one (27%)
- comfort (24%).
- A majority (56%) said that wearing a helmet would make it less likely to ride an e-scooter.
Future of E-Scooters
The future of e-scooters is very promising. With advances in technology and the development of new features, e-scooters will become more popular and more accessible to the general public.
The increasing demand for e-scooters in cities around the world is driving innovation, leading to increased safety features, improved battery life and range, and even the ability to connect to smart home and transportation networks. In the future, e-scooters will continue to be a popular form of transportation and will likely become even more widely adopted.
What to do after an E-Scooter Accident
After any accident minor or serious Injury these steps are important
1. Seek medical attention: If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional to ensure that you don’t have any underlying issues that you may not be aware of.
2. Gather evidence: It is important to document the scene of the accident, as well as any evidence of the accident that you can gather, such as photos of the accident scene, any damaged property, or witness statements.
3. File a police report: If you were injured in an e-scooter accident, it is important to file a police report. This will provide an official record of the accident, as well as any witness statements.
4. Contact Claim Today serving injury clients since 1999: After you have sought medical attention and gathered evidence, it is important to contact an expert in personal injuries, Claim Today have a 25 year experienced Solicitor ready to talk with you who specialises in personal injury claims. We can help you navigate the claims process, as well as advise you on the best course of action to take.
5. File a claim: Once you have consulted with Claim Today, we can file a claim for you against the responsible party who caused the accident and help you seek extra care and medical treatment if needed. We will claim loss of earnings damages for your pain and suffering and any other losses.
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