Wallace Miller is currently investigating claims that Bird, Lime, and other electric scooter rideshare companies are responsible for serious injuries due to safety failures and inadequate operating instructions. If you or a loved one have been harmed, Wallace Miller may be able to help you find justice through an electric scooter injury lawsuit. Contact us today for more information.
Electric scooter rentals from companies like Bird and Lime are marketed as a fun and eco-friendly way to get around. Unfortunately, electric scooter ridesharing has been at the center of numerous injuries. Both passengers and bystanders have reported broken bones, sprains, concussions, and contusions as a result of electric scooter injuries, prompting several class action lawsuits accusing the manufacturers of “gross negligence” and creating a public nuisance.
Injuries and Deaths Prompt Electric Scooter Lawsuits
Electric scooters usage has soared over the past few years, and with it, so has the rate of electric scooter accidents. It’s been reported that the national average for e-scooter accidents is 2.2 per 10,000 miles. This statistic eclipses many other transportation methods; automobiles experience 0.1 accidents per 10,000 miles and motorcycles experience only 0.05 accidents per 10,000 miles.
And despite the perception of electric scooters being a “safer” method of transportation, statistics show that approximately half of all e-scooter injuries are severe. Over 25,000 emergency room visits in 2020 were a direct result of electric scooter accidents, and 71 fatalities have been recorded between 2017 and 2020. The most common reported injuries include:
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Contusions
- Sprains
Helmets are recommended while operating e-scooters, yet are rarely – if ever – provided. Scooter sharing services face few regulations, and very little safety-related innovation has been made to e-scooters. E-scooter renters are often uninformed of local traffic laws and rules regarding electric scooter usage, such as the legality of operating the vehicles on sidewalks. Bird and Lime have also been sued by plaintiffs in California who allege the companies failed to properly maintain their scooters. These companies are aware of the risks associated with electric scooters, yet have been largely silent about injuries related to their services.
These glaring issues, coupled with the growing demand for convenient transportation methods such as Chicago’s scooter sharing initiative, could have disastrous consequences.
Wallace Miller is a leader in personal injury and product liability litigation. If you or a loved one have been injured in an e-scooter accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to submit a free and confidential electric scooter injury lawsuit claim.