E-scooter usage is on the rise in the Miami area. Many people see these dockless scooters as a convenient form of transportation. You rent the scooters through an app on your smartphone that is connected to your credit card. You can then ride the e-scooter throughout the city and leave it on the sidewalk at your destination. E-scooters can travel up to 20 miles per hour and are generally only allowed to operate on sidewalks.
The Dangers of E-Scooters
While e-scooters are convenient, they are not always the safest mode of transportation. As e-scooter usage is on the rise, so are the number of accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that there has been an uptick in emergency department visits for fractures, dislocations, and head trauma since e-scooters started hitting the streets of American cities. The CDC noted that 45% of accidents involving e-scooters involved head trauma.
People who ride e-scooters are usually not wearing helmets or other protective gear, so if they are involved in an accident, the injuries can be very serious. E-scooter users typically agree to a waiver when they sign on to use a scooter. In the waiver, it indicates that the user will wear a helmet. However, most e-scooter users don’t use helmets.
Drivers need to be careful around e-scooters and be aware of their presence on the street just as they would with bicycles and pedestrians. Negligent drivers who don’t pay attention to the road can cause serious accidents. Because e-scooters have a low profile, drivers have to be more vigilant when they are in an area with e-scooters.
Defective E-Scooters
In addition to dangers on the road, accidents can also be the result of defective e-scooters. E-scooters with insufficient braking systems or defective acceleration can cause catastrophic injury. E-scooter companies such as Lime and Bird have an obligation to maintain their scooters and ensure that they are in good working order. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for injury.
Contact a Florida Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident, you should consult with an experienced accident attorney. Gregg Goldfarb can evaluate your case for free. Contact us online or call us at 305-374-7000 to schedule a free consultation.