Whether you ride an e-scooter on a regular basis or you use one of these devices from time to time, you should have a clear understanding of the risks you face. While riding near traffic, it is particularly important to focus on your safety. Unfortunately, negligent drivers sometimes collide with e-scooter riders, and you could suffer a serious injury if a vehicle hits you.
It is very important to review data on e-scooter accidents, which have become increasingly common in recent years.
An overview of e-scooter accidents
A fact sheet from the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows how widespread e-scooter accident injuries have become. In 2020, 25,400 people visited emergency departments after suffering an injury in an e-scooter accident. Sadly, this represents a significant increase in comparison to past years. In 2017, e-scooter accidents sent 7,700 people to emergency departments.
From 2017 to 2020, over 100,000 emergency department visits occurred as a result of accidents involving micromobility products such as e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes.
E-scooter accident risk factors
While using an e-scooter, there are many different hazards you need to watch out for. For example, bad weather (such as fog and slick roads), potholes and damage to your e-scooter can cause an accident.
In addition, you should remain vigilant near moving vehicles, especially since a reckless driver could hit you. If a car, truck or motorcycle collides with you while you are on an e-scooter, you are particularly likely to sustain a serious injury in comparison to someone riding inside a passenger vehicle.