Electric Scooters Are Sending People to the Emergency Room

Scooters are becoming more and more popular, especially in cities, where commuters might find a car to be inconvenient. A scooter allows for rapid transit along city streets without the hassle of parking. As scooter use increases, however, emergency room visits have sky-rocketed.

Injuries

It is common for scooter accidents to cause broken noses, wrists and shoulders, as well as facial fractures and lacerations. As with any other kind of vehicular accident, the victim may sustain permanent brain damage from blunt head trauma.

At this time there is no national data on scooter injuries, but if you talk to emergency room doctors, a picture begins to emerge. Santa Monica’s fire department responded to 34 serious accidents involving scooters last summer. A doctor at a major San Francisco hospital claims to see 10 severe scooter-related injuries a week.

“It’s just a matter of time before someone is killed,” says Michael Sise of Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. “I’m absolutely certain of it.”

Lack of Regulation

There are few laws regarding scooters – helmets are not even required – and virtually no regulations. This lack of oversight may be contributing to reported problems, such as brakes not working. Bird, one of the popular scooter companies, encourages its riders to wear helmets, but is supporting a bill in California that would exempt riders from that requirement.

Scooter companies can also leave victims out in the cold after suffering a traumatic accident. Many user agreements prohibit victims from filing lawsuits. Instead, they must submit all disputes to arbitration.

Questions abound as to the qualifications of scooter mechanics. Bird does not even ask for previous repair experience when it hires mechanics. According to former employees, training involves nothing more than watching YouTube videos. Spare parts from China are often in short supply.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a scooter accident, you need representation. Does your user agreement prohibit you from filing a lawsuit? Don’t try to deal with a big company on your own. Contact Regan Zambri Long today. We look forward to discussing your legal options.