With the rise in popularity of scooters, it is not uncommon to find yourself sharing the road with them often. Because there are a greater number of scooters on the roads today, scooter accidents happen much more frequently, leaving scooter riders injured and facing financial losses.
If you’re injured in a scooter accident, do not wait to get legal help from a skilled personal injury lawyer. An attorney can provide the highest-quality advice, support, and representation on your path to fair compensation.
Scooter Accidents Happen Frequently, Causing Extensive Injuries
Scooters have been in the news in the last few years, and often not for good reasons. With the increased use of scooters for everyday use, there has also been a substantial growth in the number of accidents and injuries on the roads.
From 2017 to 2022, there were an estimated 360,800 visits to the emergency room, all related to micromobility devices, including scooters. From 2021 to 2022 alone, there was a 21% increase in injuries resulting from micromobility device collisions.
Since 2017, when scooters started becoming more common, there has been a steady upward trend of crashes and injuries. And with the continued use of scooters, the numbers are likely to remain high.
Top Causes of Scooter Collisions
Scooter accidents, like other types of vehicular collisions, happen for a variety of reasons. Pinpointing the cause of your accident can help your personal injury attorney determine liability and pursue damages on your behalf.
Some of the most common causes of scooter accidents are as follows.
Dangerous Driving Behaviors
By far, one of the top causes of scooter crashes is dangerous driving behaviors. In Ohio, it is legal to ride scooters on streets or bike lanes, meaning scooter riders share the road with other drivers. Some of the instances that regularly cause scooter crashes include:
- Distracted driving: When a driver is inattentive, accidents are more likely to occur, as drivers often do not see scooter riders until it’s too late
- Dangerous Turns: Both left and right turns can be risky for scooter drivers, especially when drivers fail to look before turning
- Speeding: Speeding can heighten the chance of accidents and increase the severity of impact, resulting in more severe injuries for scooter operators
- Driving While Intoxicated: Alcohol and other substances can substantially impair a person’s ability to drive safely, resulting in collisions
- Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Accidents are more likely to occur when others have the right-of-way and drivers run red lights and stop signs
- Failure to Yield: Drivers are required to yield to others under certain circumstances, and failing to do so can have detrimental consequences
- Aggressive Driving: “Road rage” can cause a driver to engage in risky acts, like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and speeding
Any of these risky behaviors can cause drivers to collide with scooters, leaving scooter riders facing extensive injuries.
If dangerous driving behaviors are at the heart of your accident, you can seek compensation from the responsible driver. Ohio is a fault state, meaning you can pursue financial recovery through the driver’s insurer by filing a third-party collision claim. You may also have the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party.
Hazardous Road Conditions
Scooters are not very stable devices, and you must work to maintain your balance while riding on two small wheels. Hazardous road conditions can make it particularly difficult to ride a scooter, making it more likely for you to lose your balance and fall off your scooter.
Common dangerous road conditions include:
- Potholes
- Cracked, uneven road surfaces
- Debris
- Loose gravel and rocks
Additionally, poorly constructed roads and missing or defective road signs and lights can contribute to several types of accidents, including scooter crashes.
It is the government’s responsibility to regularly inspect and maintain roads. When they fail to do so, streets fall into disrepair, increasing the occurrences of accidents. If you’re involved in a scooter collision because of hazardous road conditions, a personal injury lawyer can help you hold the government liable for your injuries.
Scooter Malfunctions and Defects
Scooters, like other devices, can malfunction at any moment, especially when the scooters are improperly maintained. Also, scooters may be designed or manufactured with defects, causing the device to fail at some point.
Issues with scooters commonly occur mid-ride, resulting in operators losing control over the device and their balance and falling off the scooter. Malfunctions and defects can cause serious, life-altering injuries to riders.
When a problem with the scooter results in an accident, it’s important to determine the cause of the malfunction or defect. Certain parties, including manufacturers and distributors, could be liable. In addition, if you rented the scooter from a popular rental service, you may be able to hold the company responsible.
Pedestrian Negligence
While pedestrians deserve respect and frequently have the right-of-way, they can also be negligent under certain circumstances. Pedestrians often become distracted and walk around carelessly, causing different types of accidents, including car and scooter collisions.
If a pedestrian walks into your path and causes your accident, you may be able to hold the pedestrian liable for your resulting injuries and losses.
Common Scooter Accident Injuries
Scooters, while easy and convenient to ride, are incredibly unsafe. They’re not easy to balance on, and in the event of a crash, scooters provide no protection. Therefore, in an accident, scooter riders commonly suffer significant injuries, some of which include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
Scooter accident injuries can require extensive medical care, which is costly. This is especially true when you suffer complications and long-term consequences from your injuries, including nerve damage, paralysis, or brain damage.
The steep cost of healthcare and financial losses associated with accidents make it essential to pursue fair monetary recovery from the responsible party or entity. Obtaining compensation can help ensure you receive the medical treatment you need and don’t have to carry your financial burdens alone.
Seeking Legal Assistance From a Personal Injury Lawyer Following Your Scooter Accident
After a scooter accident, consult with a personal injury lawyer right away. Your attorney can determine the cause of your crash, calculate your damages, and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
The personal injury lawyers at Schiff & Associates are ready to assist you. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation.