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Injuries from scooter accidents can be minimized by wearing helmets, riding at safe speeds, wearing protective gear, avoiding alcohol before riding, choosing safe riding areas, and receiving proper training.
Research using human crash models found that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 44% in electric scooter crashes, while an international review of 34 studies found that over 98% of injured riders were not wearing helmets.
Scooter accidents may result in serious injuries, and many of these are preventable. Understanding the most common risk factors can significantly reduce the likelihood of an accident and the severity of the injuries one can suffer. The following information provides practical safety measures that lower the risks of severe injuries in case of an accident.
Emerging evidence suggests that experience and rider training are linked with fewer accidents. Riders with safety training, such as how to handle turns and avoid hazards, have been associated with lower injury rates in recent studies of scooter use. Learning proper riding techniques can reduce the likelihood of crashes caused by rider error.
Head and facial injuries account for a large share of emergency visits after e-scooter accidents, making helmet use the most effective measure riders can take to reduce injury risk and severity. Public health safety recommendations from the CDC and Johns Hopkins note that helmets can prevent up to approximately 85% of head injuries in similar human-powered activities. In an international review of 29 studies, head and facial injuries were the most common and serious injuries in scooter crashes, yet helmet compliance among riders remains very low.
While helmets are the most protective equipment, elbow and knee pads can prevent a significant portion of joint injuries in wheeled activities, according to CDC guidance. Wearing protective gear reduces the risk of fractures, abrasions, and major soft tissue injuries. Pads and guards complement helmet use to protect arms, knees, and other vulnerable areas during falls.
Researchers have found that speed plays a significant role in injury severity in crash dynamics. Based on simulation results, lowering scooter and vehicle speeds reduces crash injuries and their severity. In collisions with pedestrians and riders, reducing collision speed from approximately 25 km/h (15.5 mph) to 15 km/h (about 9.3 mph) reduces head injury risk. An accident that occurs at a slower speed, especially in areas with pedestrians or heavy traffic, can be less severe.
The OECD and international safety reports emphasize that alcohol impairment increases injury risk because it slows reaction times and worsens balance and judgment. Riders under the influence are more likely to be in injury crashes. Additionally, many scooter injuries arise from interactions with uneven pavement, obstacles, and mixed traffic. Loss of balance and falls are often caused by small wheels and sensitivity to irregularities on the road surface. Riding in bike lanes, dedicated micromobility spaces, or well-maintained pavement reduces crash likelihood.
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we represent scooter accident victims who have been injured by negligent drivers, poorly maintained equipment, or dangerous road conditions. In case you have been injured in a scooter accident, please contact our Miami office for a free consultation.