What are the Risks of E-Scooters?

E-anything is usually a marketing term. The seller wants consumers to believe the product is easy and safe. E-cigarettes are a good example. Most doctors agree these contraptions are almost as unhealthy and nasty as combustion cigarettes. E-scooters are much the same. These vehicles are a mixture of bicycles and motorcycles. They’re small, fast, and difficult to operate.

The nature of e-scooters makes them very risky, as outlined below. When these risks substantially cause injury, an Oceanside personal injury lawyer obtains the compensation these victims need and deserve. They need it to pay accident-related expenses, such as medical bills, and basically put their shattered lives back together. They deserve it because responsible parties should step up to the plate. You break it, you buy it.

Manufacturing Defect

These issues are probably one of the biggest risks of e-scooters. The e-scooter market has mushroomed in the last few years, going from almost nothing in 2020 to an estimated $55 billion by 2033. In the rush to put e-scooters on the street, companies often take dangerous shortcuts. These shortcuts include:

• Design Defects: We mentioned that e-scooters are small and fast. Every year, manufacturers try to make them lighter and faster. These innovations make e-scooters more attractive to customers and more dangerous to ride.
• Production Defects: As a cost-cutting measure, many e-scooter manufacturers put cheap, imported parts in their products. These parts often don’t stand up to the incredible amount of wear and tear e-scooters take. Many e-scooters have been in accidents and remain in circulation.

Usually, manufacturers are strictly liable for the injuries their defective products substantially cause. An Oceanside personal injury lawyer can use the strict liability rule or the negligence rule to obtain compensation in these cases.

Physical Safety Risks

Operational accidents and injuries are a significant concern as well. Two-wheel vehicles are much harder to control than four-wheel vehicles. Even a small pothole or other “minor” hazard could cause e-scooter riders to lose control of their bikes.

Making matters worse, many users do not wear helmets, increasing the risk of head injuries in the event of a fall or collision. Studies have shown that e-scooter injuries commonly include fractures, head trauma, and abrasions.

In California, the failure to wear a helmet could reduce the victim’s compensation, under the Golden State’s complex helmet defense law.

In addition to user injuries, e-scooters threaten pedestrians. Scooters left haphazardly on sidewalks can become tripping hazards, particularly for individuals with disabilities or impaired vision. In crowded urban areas, fast-moving scooters can also cause collisions with unsuspecting pedestrians.

Infrastructure Challenges

We mentioned road maintenance issues above. These issues alone may cause accidents in some cases. Urban infrastructure has not fully adapted to the rise of micro-mobility devices like e-scooters.

Roads and bike lanes are not always designed with scooters in mind, and the absence of dedicated lanes forces riders to choose between dangerous roadways and crowded sidewalks. Poor lighting, inadequate signage, and lack of designated parking zones exacerbate these issues, increasing the likelihood of accidents and congestion.

Connect With a Savvy San Diego County Lawyer

Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Oceanside, contact the Pursley Law Firm. You have a limited amount of time to act.

Source:

statista.com/outlook/mmo/shared-mobility/e-scooter-sharing/worldwide