In early 2021, Pennsylvania passed legislation for an electric scooter pilot program. Pittsburgh officially launched its e-scooter initiative in July with 100 scooters available at mobility hubs across the Northside, Downtown, Strip District, Uptown, and Hill District. The program continues to expand citywide. As the program rolls on, multiple agencies report rises in injuries and deaths related to e-scooters.
As the e-scooters increase in popularity, many see fun modes of transportation, few see the dangers until it impacts them. If you or a loved one has suffered an e-scooter accident, the Pittsburgh e-scooter accident attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman are here to help.
New Studies Show New Dangers in New Transportation
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that an estimated 133,000 have been injured and at least 41 people were killed between 2017 and 2019 in accidents related to e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards.
In the CPSC study, E-scooter accidents accounted for almost 15,000 emergency room visits in 2018, and the number almost doubled in 2019, totaling more than 27,000. Hoverboard injuries treated in emergency rooms usually involved children, 14 years old and younger. More than half (58%) of e-scooter-related injuries involved people 25 years old and older.
The same three-year period also saw 27 fatalities involved in e-scooter accidents. Most of these deaths involved male riders colliding with motor vehicles. Hoverboards accounted for four deaths, and e-bikes accounted for 10. Fatalities also occurred when pedestrians were struck by scooters.
E-scooters have left rental bikes in their dust as the most popular form of shared micro-mobility transportation. According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, tens of thousands of e-scooters are being rented across the country.
After several deadly accidents, Atlanta and areas in Tennessee banned the nighttime usage of e-scooters. Hoverboard warnings have been coming from the CPSC since 2015, after receiving reports the product was overheating and catching fire or exploding. After the CPSC attributed more than 250 fires to overheating hoverboards, more than 100,000 hoverboards made by 10 companies were recalled.
The reporting is ongoing with injuries and fatality data inspecting to rise as the usage of micro-mobility transportation spreads to in American cities.
CPSC safety measures have been released for micro-mobility usage in the hopes to reduce injuries and fatalities. “Many accidents can be prevented by simply slowing down,” says CPSC representatives. “Always wear a helmet, be aware of your surroundings, and be prepared to stop.”
When should I contact a lawyer?
Micro-mobility products like e-scooters, hoverboards, e-bikes, and Segway are becoming part of Pittsburgh’s landscape as commuters and tourists zip around the city. With these new modes of transportation come new dangers.
Multiple factors are examined when determining liability in micro-mobility accidents. Rental agencies or tour operators may be negligent for not properly supervising, inspecting, or maintaining the machines and accompanying equipment. Sometimes, the responsibility falls on manufacturers because of defective or faulty machines and unclear warnings.
The Pittsburgh e-scooter accident attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman investigate claims, find responsible parties, and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 1-888-988-9467.