As gas prices increase, more and more people have turned to electric scooters as a fun and efficient means of transportation. Allowing people to get from point A to point B quicker than walking and without the burden that driving a car sometimes brings; however, e-scooter accidents commonly occur.
According to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, the number of emergency room visits due to electric scooter-involved accidents increased threefold between 2017 and 2019, from 7,700 to 27,700. These dos and do nots may help riders protect themselves from serious injuries while operating e-scooters.
Do focus on riding
According to the CPSC, when operating an e-scooter, people should focus on the task at hand. This means avoiding distractions such as talking on the phone or even listening to music. If distracted while riding, people may not see situations in time to respond or otherwise lose control of their micro-mobility product.
Do not attempt stunts
Attempting jumps or other stunts while operating electric scooters seems fun to many. However, riders generally benefit from avoiding such moves. In addition to the potential for injury should they fail to safely perform the maneuver, such actions sometimes cause damage to e-scooters.
Do check for damage
Damaged scooters often do not operate correctly or may malfunction in use. This sometimes leads to riders losing control and crashing. Therefore, before riding, people should check electric scooters for issues with the brakes, throttle, cables, tires, frame, handlebars, bell and lights. Should they notice such damage, reporting the problems through the service’s apps may help future riders avoid potentially serious accidents.
Some accidents involving electric scooters occur due to no fault of the rider. In such cases, riders who suffer serious injuries often pursue options to recover compensation for their associated losses.
