The more frequent use of electric scooters and other forms of personal transportation has also increased the number of people injured because of e-scooter accidents. Being aware of California electric scooter accident statistics can help riders and others on the road drive and operate their vehicles more defensively. As the use of sharable scooters increases, more people can risk injury if they are not cautious.
Although an accessible and useful form of transport, lack of experience or care while riding an e-scooter can cause injuries to riders and pedestrians. Many e-scooter accidents are the result of inattentive or otherwise negligent drivers on the road, but lack of care by e-scooter operators can also have a role. If you were injured in an e-scooter accident, it’s important to know that you may have options to recover compensation if another party was to blame.
California E-Scooter Injuries
The use of e-scooters, e-bikes, and similar modes of public transportation has increased in recent years. Before the common use of sharable e-scooters in 2018, there were very few yearly injuries because of e-scooters, based on information from the Southern California region. The highest number of injuries was 13 in 2016, and the lowest was four reported injuries in 2014.
In 2017, there were 12 reported injuries, and once e-scooters were introduced, this increased to 595 injuries in 2018, followed by 672 in 2019. There were 1,354 distinct injured patients identified from 2014 to 2020, the majority of which were the riders on the e-scooter. This resulted in an estimated 115 injuries per 1 million e-scooter trips being treated in Southern California healthcare facilities.
E-Scooter Injuries Nationwide
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reviewed deaths, injuries, and hazards related to micromobility products from 2017 to 2022, which includes e-scooters. Its data was collected through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from hospital emergency departments.
Based on CPSC data, the total estimated number of emergency department visits related to micromobility products was 360,800 from 2017 to 2022. Within that number, an estimated 169,300 were related to e-scooters specifically or 46.92% of the reported injuries.
There were an estimated 50,000 emergency department visits associated with e-scooter accidents in 2022, an increase from just over 40,000 the previous year and approximately 25,000 in 2020. In 2022, there were an estimated 25,000 emergency visits involving e-bikes, an increase of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 from the previous year.
All micromobility products, including e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards, resulted in more than 90,000 estimated emergency visits from related accidents in 2022. Since 2017, this has been an increase of nearly 60,000 emergency visits per year.
Of individuals injured because of e-scooters between 2017 and 2022, 40% of them were between the ages of 25 and 44, with this same age group making up a comparative 27% of the census population. 1% of the injured parties were under the age of five, 16% were from ages five to 14, and 25% were between ages 15 to 24. 41% of e-scooter-related emergency department visits occurred on a street or highway and 12% on another form of public property.
Of the injuries related to e-scooters, 94% of them occurred to the rider of the scooter.
Requirements in California to Operate E-Scooters
The California Vehicle Code lists some of the restrictions for those who operate motorized scooters. Some of these restrictions state that riders can only operate their e-scooters when:
- It has working brakes that will function on level, dry, and clear pavement.
- It is within the speed limit for the e-scooter’s class type.
- They are wearing a helmet if under 18.
- They have a valid driver’s license or learning permit.
- They have no other passengers.
- It remains on the road.
FAQs
Q: How Many Accidents Happen on Electric Scooters?
A: There were an estimated 673 injuries from accidents that occurred on electric scooters in 2019. This was a slight increase from the estimated number of injuries in 2018 and a significant increase from the 12 reported injuries in 2017. These accidents became more common after the use of e-scooters for personal travel became more frequent, although the limited travel at the beginning of the pandemic also led to fewer injuries.
Q: How Safe Is an Electric Scooter?
A: Electric scooters are safe when used safely and responsibly, and they are no more or less inherently dangerous than other forms of personal transportation. They may have greater dangers due to the limited regulations as laws work to catch up with their increased use. Wearing a helmet and other protective wear can help protect riders. Riders can also operate e-scooters more safely by following the rules of the road, including following speed limits, yielding the right-of-way, and remaining cautious on the road and other paths of travel.
Q: Are E-Bikes Safer Than E-Scooters?
A: It is hard to determine whether e-bikes are safer than e-scooters. There were more emergency visits associated with e-scooters than e-bikes, based on information compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from 2017 to 2022.
In 2022, there were an estimated 25,000 injuries from e-bikes. In the same year, there were just over 50,000 estimated injuries associated with e-scooters. These statistics do not state the number of e-bikes and e-scooters on the road, which makes it hard to determine if one has a higher rate of injuries.
Q: Is It Illegal to Ride an Electric Scooter Without a Helmet in California?
A: It is not illegal to ride an electric scooter without a helmet in California as long as the rider is 18 years old or older. If the operator is younger than 18, then they must operate any motorized or e-scooter with a fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets state laws. Although it is not illegal for adults to ride e-scooters without helmets, it isn’t safe. Riders can protect themselves and avoid more serious head trauma in an accident if they wear helmets.
Contact Easton & Easton, LLP, Today
If you were operating an e-scooter and were injured because another person was negligent, or you were a bystander injured by an e-scooter rider’s negligence, you could recover compensation for your injuries. Although e-scooter accidents can be minor, they can also result in serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries and broken bones. Easton & Easton, LLP, can determine if you have a valid personal injury claim. Contact our firm today.
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