Medical Study Shows Increase in Electric Scooter Injuries
Injuries caused by electric scooters are increasing dramatically, according to a medical study published in JAMA recently. The study reported the findings collected from hospital admissions between 2014 and 2018. Although e-scooters are more readily available to rent, are inexpensive, and a convenient way to get to a location, they can be hazardous and lead to serious injuries in an accident. Jerry Brown, the former governor, signed into law a bill in 2018 that exempted adults from having to wear a protective helmet.
Electric Scooters and Bikes in Sacramento
Cities such as Sacramento are focusing on decreasing traffic congestion and cleaning up the environment. This includes allowing more environmentally friendly modes of transportation, such as electric scooters. New policies may be required to keep the riders of alternate types of transportation safer.
Studies on Electric Scooter Accidents
UC San Francisco researchers employed injury data from a hospital sampling around the country, which focused on scooter accidents from 2013 through 2018. What they discovered was disturbing. Injuries to those riding scooters had tripled from six to 19 per 100,000 population.
Electric Scooters Can Cause Head Injuries
Those who were involved in accidents on electric scooters in 2018 tended to experience head or leg injuries. This was concerning because head trauma can be severe, leading to a long recuperative period. Injuries generally occurred to individuals under 34, including children.
Scooter Injuries Are at a Much Higher Rate Than Bicycles
The head author of the accident study, Dr. Benjamin Breyer, said the idea came from seeing the shared bike and scooter-related injuries at the hospital where he works in San Francisco. Although around 16 percent of those involved in a bicycle accident suffered a head injury, the rate for scooter riders was almost one in three. Dr. Breyer believes that this much higher injury rate is because those on scooters do not wear helmets and are in a standing position.
Riding Electric Scooters Safely in Sacramento
In Sacramento, the popularity of e-scooters is not only quickly increasing but is expected to continue growing. Lime and Jump operate in the area, and the city has approved plans to allow Bird and Spin to add their own scooters by spring. In addition, officials in Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova are talking to providers about possible pilot projects. Sacramento has protected lanes installed along 25 downtown city blocks and intends to add an additional 60 blocks of riding zones for bicyclists and scooter riders to increase safety.
Related Article by Sacramento Electric Scooter Injury Lawyer Ed Smith:
How an Attorney Helps
Having an attorney to represent you following an accident injury can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our investigators are sent to the accident right away to gather the evidence needed to support your claim for damages. They look over the police report for errors and talk to witnesses as well as seek traffic and business cameras that might have caught the accident on video. In addition, the investigators perform accident reconstruction and look for other evidence such as damage to the vehicles and roads. Once the investigation is complete, that information is used by our lawyers to build a strong case for court or negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Sacramento Electric Scooter Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento electric scooter lawyer. Electric scooters and bikes are a fun, economical, and environmentally friendly way to get from one location to another. However, those who are involved in an accident can suffer serious injuries that require hospitalization and a lengthy recovery period. If negligence caused your accident injury, I have free and friendly advice to offer you. Contact me at (916) 921-6400 locally or through my free long-distance line at (800) 404-5400. In addition, you can reach me by sending me a message online.
I invite you to look over client reviews and cases handled in the past by my firm at:
I’ve worked as an injury lawyer in Sacramento and Northern California since 1982. During this time, I have worked hard upholding my clients’ rights to compensation in wrongful deaths, any kind of traffic accident, and traumas such as brain injuries.
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Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-riding-on-bird-electric-scooter-1379374/
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