Electric Scooter Use Can Lead to a Traumatic Brain Injury
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters have become a popular mode of transportation, particularly around big cities. Many cities have stations set up where people can rent these scooters for a short period, returning them to a different station. Like other modes of transportation, e-scooters can be involved in accidents, leading to traumatic brain injuries. Some of the information published regarding accidents involving E-scooters by Business Insider has shown that:
- Electric scooter use is on the rise, expanding across the country.
- Electric scooters led to more than 1,500 injuries in 2017.
- Hospitals are reporting significant spikes in traumatic injuries due to electric scooters.
- Many hospitals do not track injuries due to electric scooters so the actual numbers might be higher.
Similar to bicycle accidents, traumatic injuries could result from accidents involving electric scooters. Therefore, everyone needs to remember some important information regarding safety while using e-scooters. These safety tips could prevent a life-changing injury or even wrongful death.
Safety While Using an Electric Scooter
Those who live in large cities have likely been frustrated by traffic. E-scooters have become a popular way to travel from place to place quickly while avoiding the frustration of sitting in a stopped car. Even though e-scooters are a quick and efficient mode of transportation throughout large cities, they still have the potential to be involved in accidents. As e-scooters become more common than ever before, there are a few safety tips that everyone should keep in mind. Following these tips can prevent serious injuries from resulting. Some of these include:
- Make sure to wear the recommended safety equipment at all times.
- Ensure that the tires on the scooter are adequately inflated.
- Remember to watch for pedestrians.
- Watch for slippery surfaces that can lead to severe accidents.
- Remember that barriers such as construction signs, plants, and light poles can lead to severe injuries.
While some people might be resistant to wearing a helmet while on an electric scooter, they can protect the head against a serious traumatic brain injury.
Watch YouTube Video: Rise of Electric Scooters Also Contributing to Injuries. CBS This Morning reports on how the rise of electric scooters is causing injuries to riders.
Brain Injuries in Accidents Involving Electric Scooters
Traumatic brain injuries can happen in accidents involving electric scooters. When people fall from the scooter, they could strike their head on the sidewalk, pavement, or even a nearby object. This blow to the head can lead to a change in the way that the brain functions, leading to a variety of symptoms. Some of the signs of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Severe, recurrent headaches
- Irritability caused by bright lights and loud noises
- Issues with vision and hearing
- Difficulty with memory
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Shooting pains that travel throughout the body
To guard against a TBI, everyone should make sure that they wear a helmet at all times. Individuals who are noticing these symptoms following an accident involving an electric scooter might have suffered a traumatic brain injury. These are always serious because they could lead to lifelong complications. Fortunately, there are some treatment options available.
Treatment of Head and Brain Injuries
After someone has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, the treatment process will start. In the first few minutes to hours after a TBI, the focus will be on the management of intracranial pressure. This is important because it can prevent the brain from herniating. Once an individual has been stabilized, long-term treatment plans can be established. This often involves extensive rehabilitation with specialists such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists. It might be a long time before an individual with a TBI can return to work.
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