Electric Scooter Accidents and Injuries in Chicago

 Posted on May 06,2022 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Chicago plans to bring several thousand electric scooters to city streets this spring. Scooters can help reduce traffic congestion, decrease the burden on public transportation, and even cut down on pollution. However, these scooters also have drawbacks. Scooter-related injuries can occur from collisions between scooters and motor vehicles, trip and fall accidents caused by discarded scooters, and injuries from falling off of the scooters.

When the Chicago scooter pilot program first launched in 2019, many people voiced concerns about safety issues. Steps have since been taken to reduce the chances of scooter-related injuries, but it is still unclear if enough action has been taken to address electric scooter dangers.

Are Electric Scooters Safe?

Scooters are fun, affordable, and more environmentally friendly than cars. However, scooters also present hazards to riders, motorists, and pedestrians. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), emergency room visits caused by accidents involving scooters and other micro-mobility products have increased 70 percent in the last few years. Even more concerningly, more than one-third of these emergency room visits were for head injuries.

During the 2019 e-scooter pilot, many people complained that scooters were left in the middle of the sidewalk, presenting a serious hazard to other scooter riders and pedestrians. Electric scooters are not allowed on sidewalks, but not every rider followed these directions. In response to these concerns, scooter companies introduced geofencing technology which will automatically detect when someone is riding the scooter on the sidewalk. Chicago is also requiring scooters to be “lock-to” scooters which are designed to be locked to an object, such as a light pole, between rentals.

Legal Action After a Scooter Injury

Scooter accidents can happen when a rider collides with a pedestrian, bicyclist, another scooter rider, or a motor vehicle. Sometimes, the fault for a scooter accident lies with the rider’s negligent operation of the scooter. Other times, a distracted or intoxicated motor vehicle driver is responsible. Defective design, manufacture, or maintenance.

If a party’s negligent actions lead to a scooter accident, the injured parties may be entitled to monetary compensation for damages.

Contact a Waukegan Scooter Injury Lawyer

Scooter accidents can lead to traumatic brain injury, back injuries, broken bones, and other painful injuries. If you or a loved one were hurt in a scooter accident, contact the Lake County personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP for help. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income from missed work, pain and suffering, and more. Call 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://abc7chicago.com/electric-scooter-chicago-scooters-lime-spin/11726757/

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/electric-scooter-safety-concerns-chicago