How Safe Are Motor Scooters in Clearwater, FL?
September 21, 2022 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury
Recently, motorized scooters have soared in popularity in Florida and throughout the United States.
According to Bloomberg, ridership of electric scooters in the United States increased over 100 percent, from 38.5 million in 2018 to 88.5 million in 2019. Motorized scooters like mopeds and Vespas continue to be popular options, especially in coastal communities.
There are many reasons why scooters are a popular transportation option. They are environmentally friendly, they do not require a special license to drive, and you do not need to wear a helmet if you are over the age of 16 years.
These benefits to scooters come at a cost, though. The risk of personal injury or death in a scooter crash is comparable to the risk of suffering injuries in a motorcycle wreck. Before you jump on an e-scooter or moped, then, you should be aware of the risks involved.
Scooter Injury Statistics
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, micromobility products such as e-scooters and hoverboards sent 57,800 Americans to the emergency room in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, at least 71 people died throughout the United States in accidents involving micromobility devices.
These numbers tell just a part of the story as they include only smaller devices like electric scooters and hoverboards. Some mopeds and motorized scooters are more akin to motorcycles than micromobility devices. Motorcycle-specific statistics can provide some insight into the true danger posed by motorized scooters.
Ride Smart Florida reports that an average of 550 motorcyclists are killed each year in Florida. Between 2015 and 2020, an average of 2,000 motorcyclists suffered serious injuries.
Riding motorized scooters and micromobility devices presents some of the same hazards as motorcycling, so it should come as no surprise that scooter riders are at similar risk.
Injuries Seen in Clearwater Scooter Accidents
Motorcycle accidents share something else in common with scooter and micromobility device crashes: those injured tend to suffer the same kinds of injuries. Victims of scooter accidents may experience the following.
Injuries to the Upper and Lower Extremities
Your hands, feet, arms, and legs are most likely to sustain injuries in a scooter crash. Because these parts of your body are exposed and difficult to protect in a crash, broken bones in the arms and legs are common. These injuries can both be painful and impede your mobility and ability to work.
Head Injuries
Motorcyclists who are thrown from or knocked off of their bikes can hit their heads, and scooter riders are no different. These head injuries can be severe, especially if you are not wearing a helmet. This risk of severe head injuries among scooter riders is high, given that scooter riders are not legally required to wear helmets.
By wearing a properly fitted and approved helmet, you can reduce your risk of suffering a serious head injury in a crash.
Motorcycle accidents happen in part because a motorcyclist is more difficult to see than a car or truck. This, also, is true in the case of scooter riders. Scooter riders must therefore be aware that when they are riding on streets or crossing roads, motorists may have a difficult time seeing them.
Enjoy a Safe Ride on a Motor Scooter
If you choose to ride a motorized scooter in Clearwater, do so safely. Wear a helmet and consider wearing safety gear while riding.
Pay attention to the surrounding traffic, and do not take unnecessary risks. In doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of these popular travel options while minimizing the chance of a serious accident.
Contact the Clearwater Personal Injury Law Firm of Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196
