Electric scooters have skyrocketed in popularity in major U.S. cities over the last several years. Although they offer a convenient mode of transportation, the rise of e-scooters has also led to thousands of accidents resulting in serious and fatal injuries. Now, a study recently published in the journal of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma has found that alcohol plays a major role in many e-scooter accidents.
Out of 103 patients treated at three hospitals for e-scooter injuries, 79 percent tested positive for alcohol and nearly half (48 percent) had blood-alcohol concentrations (BAC) of over 0.08. That’s the legal limit in nearly all U.S. states, including North Carolina and South Carolina.
And it’s not just alcohol affecting these drivers — 60 percent of patients included in the study were also screened for drugs, and 52 percent of those tested positive.
If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident, it may be possible for you to obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Contact the experienced attorneys at Stewart Law Offices for a free consultation.
How Common Are E-scooter Accidents?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the e-scooter accident rate is 14.3 per 100,000 trips. And earlier this year, a report from Rutgers University found that the number of injuries increased from 2,325 to 6,957 over a recent 10-year period.
Head injuries and broken bones are the most common injuries associated with e-scooter crashes. Disturbingly, the majority of people injured in these accidents were not wearing helmets, increasing their risks of catastrophic traumatic brain injuries.
What Are Common Causes of Electric Scooter Accidents?
In addition to alcohol and drug impairment, e-scooter accidents happen for other reasons, such as:
- Unsafe maneuvers (e.g., swerving)
- Speeding
- Riding in the road
- Failing to cross at a crosswalk with the right-of-way
- E-scooter malfunction
- User inexperience
Given the growth of the e-scooter movement in American cities, it’s important for electric scooter companies like Lime and Bird to take every possible precaution to ensure that their vehicles are safe. It’s equally important for operators to abide by the rules of the road to reduce the likelihood of serious accidents.
How To Prove That Alcohol Or Drugs Was A Factor In An E-scooter Accident
One of the best ways to prove drug or alcohol involvement in an e-scooter crash is to report the accident immediately and make sure that a police officer comes to the scene. If the officer has probable cause to do so, they can ask the e-scooter rider to submit to blood/breath alcohol testing.
What Are the Laws Against Drunk E-Scooter Driving?
In many states, you can get a drunk driving charge for operating an e-scooter while drunk. A drunk scooter driver can be asked to submit to BAC testing, and because a scooter is classified as a motorized vehicle (and may be upon a roadway) in many states, DUI charges could follow.
How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?
Whether you’re looking for a Bird e-scooter accident lawyer, a Lime e-scooter accident lawyer, or just a skilled personal injury lawyer, the attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can help. With offices throughout the Carolinas, we can determine whether you have a valid claim and, if so, pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Call or contact us today to arrange your free consultation.
