Portland’s E-Scooters are back. The E-Scooters were taken off the streets over the winter, but the City of Portland recently permitted them to return. The return of the E-Scooters brings with them another convenient but dangerous mode of transportation. It is no secret that E-Scooter riders have suffered broken bones, muscle strains, head injuries, and even have been killed. A recent study of E-scooter crashes found that:
37% of riders claim they were going too fast on the scooters at the time of the crash;
24% of riders were travelling downhill while injured;
55% of riders were injured in the street;
33% were injured on the sidewalk;
16% were injured when colliding or swerving to avoid a car;
15% experienced a traumatic brain injury.
The statistics say a-lot. Speed and control seem to be large contributing factors to E-scooter crashes and injuries. Riders can likely reduce their chances of being injuries if they simply reduce their speed. The study also came to a rather obvious conclusion, “Studies have shown that bicycle riders reduce the risk of head and brain injuries by wearing a helmet,” the report stated. “Helmet use might also reduce the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of an e-scooter crash.” It is not only a good idea to wear a helmet on an E-Scooter, but it is also the law.
The study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and the Austin Public Health Department concluded that almost half of the injured riders had a severe injury. This included bone fractures, nerve , tendon, and ligament injuries, severe bleeding , and organ damage that required an extended stay in the hospital. These types of injuries, especially fractured bones, likely happen when the rider is traveling at a higher rate of speed, so they can be avoided if the riders slow down.
The recent Austin Texas study also claimed that the there are roughly 20 injuries per 100,000 trips taken on E-Scooters. This does not seem like that many injuries, but the report acknowledges, that it “likely underestimates the prevalence” of scooter'-related injuries.
If you or someone you know has been injured on an E-Scooter please call Portland Oregon personal injury lawyer Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658. Ross Law PDX is happy to provide a free personal injury case evaluation to persons that were injured while riding a e-scooter. Also, please remember that Ross Law PDX is not affiliated with the City of Austin or the Center for Disease Control.