This review examines the incidence of electric scooter injuries and the effects of treatments. It also identifies limitations of the research that has been conducted on the topic. The review is based on twenty-eight peer-reviewed studies. Eleven of these studies were single-site, and 12 were multisite. The majority of the studies were conducted in the USA. However, some were conducted in other countries, including New Zealand, Denmark, France, Finland, and South Korea. In addition, four studies were conducted in the USA using the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s NEISS database.
Accidents involving electric scooters
The number of accidents involving electric scooters has dramatically increased over the past decade, and there have been many cases involving children. Emergency room physicians are concerned that this trend may be linked to the increase in the popularity of rideshare e-scooter apps. Emergency room physicians need to have a better understanding of the injuries caused by these electric scooters so that they can provide better care. In addition, this information can help parents practice safer riding practices.
According to Consumer Reports, there have been more than 1,500 reported electric scooter accidents in the United States in the last two years. However, the valid number is probably higher than this because most hospitals don’t keep track of these accidents. Moreover, many accidents involving electric scooters result in life-threatening injuries. For example, a rider in Minnesota had to undergo extensive treatment after an e-scooter accident, which resulted in the loss of part of his skull. He will also likely require years of therapy to recover from his injuries.
In most electric scooter accidents, the party at fault is typically liable for damages and injuries. Because electric scooters are new to public roadways, proving negligence may be difficult. Fortunately, there are still ways to recover from such accidents. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.
The number of electric scooter accidents is rising. In the US alone, accidents involving electric scooters increased by 220% from 2014 to 2018, and in some cities, the number of injuries has tripled since the beginning of the technology. Injuries are common among riders, with many victims suffering injuries in their upper and lower limbs. Experts recommend riders wear a helmet and check the condition of their scooters before using them. They should avoid using them while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Accidents involving electric scooters are becoming a significant concern, with more cities adopting the technology. Electric scooters have become a craze in many American cities and can often be seen on sidewalks. As they are relatively small, they are often hard to see and are a new sight for motorists.
Frequency of injuries
Many people aren’t aware of the frequency of electric scooter injuries, but this new type of scooter is causing problems. Electric scooters are growing in popularity, and millions are riding them. The frequency of injuries is almost on par with those caused by motorcycles. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent these accidents.
One study suggests that 115 cases of e-scooter-related injury occur every million rides. That’s higher than the national injury rate, which is 104 per million motorcycle, bike, and pedestrian trips. Another study found that electric scooter riders are more likely to sustain head or facial injuries.
Several factors are associated with the frequency of electric scooter injuries. The most common injury types are head injuries, followed by upper and lower-extremity injuries, with abdominal injuries less common. In addition to helmet use, many electric scooter users fail to wear helmets, which may prevent them from sustaining severe injuries. Furthermore, most studies found low helmet use rates among electric scooter users, which points to a need for interventions to increase helmet usage among this group of road users.
While most e-scooter injuries were orthopedic, there were also cases of internal injuries. These cases were more common in elderly riders. In addition, a recent study found that only eight percent of riders wore a helmet. The study also found that no one wore a helmet in the two cases involving soft-tissue injuries. However, despite the relatively low frequency of electric scooter-related injuries, the researchers noted high costs for hospitals and medical facilities.
Injuries from e-scooter use are becoming increasingly severe. According to a report published by UCLA, 21 people were sent to the hospital in critical condition due to their injuries. Two of these patients died. The researchers believe these injuries are not as severe as motorcycle crashes because e-scooter riders are not traveling as quickly. However, they say these statistics are likely to be underestimated.
The study also found that e-scooter riders were less likely to sustain chest, abdomen, or spine injuries than cyclists. The injuries most often occurred in the upper extremity, with clavicle fractures the most common and fractures of the acromioclavicular joint. Some patients also suffered fractures to the neck and radial head.
Treatment
In a recent study, several factors were associated with electric scooter-related injuries. Intoxication was a significant risk factor. The most common injury sustained was a fracture of the upper limb. Riders who did not wear helmets were also more likely to sustain injury. Most cases, patients were treated and released from the hospital, though some required surgical procedures. Alcohol and drugs also increase the risk of complex injuries and more extended hospital stays.
Electric scooters are increasingly popular in major cities. They are often convenient and affordable, but riders must realize that they can cause serious injuries that might require emergency care. Approximately one-third of electric scooter-related patients visit the emergency department. For this reason, it’s essential to understand the treatment options available.
A study published by UCLA Health examined the treatment costs of injuries caused by e-scooters. The study focused on patients treated in UCLA Health’s emergency department and 180 outpatient clinics. The study also looked at data from e-scooter companies. It also compared e-scooter injuries to bicycle injuries.
The researchers analyzed data from 249 electric scooter patients who presented to the emergency room. The majority of patients were aged 18 to 40. The study also found that only 4.4% of riders wore helmets. The most common injuries involved the head and upper extremities. The study also found that most injuries occurred in one user. The mechanism of injury was primarily a fall.
This study has several limitations. Its retrospective nature limits its ability to assess specific data endpoints. For example, several studies did not include data related to the location of the injury and its severity. A few other studies did not screen for the use of a helmet and the presence of alcohol and intoxication. While most injuries were minor, they still required treatment. The study authors noted that 6.0% of the patients were hospitalized, and 0.8% were in intensive care.
The most common injuries attributed to e-scooter use included fractures of the upper limbs. However, the mechanisms of injury were not fully understood. Many of these patients did not wear a helmet. The study authors recommend further research to characterize the causes of these injuries better and identify the most effective treatments.
Limitations of studies on e-scooter injuries
There are several limitations associated with studies of electric scooter injuries. A small sample size often limits these studies and may only represent part of the population. Additionally, they may focus on a single geographic region, which can bias results. Moreover, the data may be skewed by seasonal weather changes.
One major limitation of these studies is that they are retrospective and may not help predict future injuries. Data from the past are only sometimes available, and researchers may have missed important details. For example, not all studies assessed whether a helmet was worn and how the injury occurred. Additionally, the location of the injury was only sometimes reported. Furthermore, some studies could not evaluate the role of urban planning and infrastructure in reducing injury risk.
Further, studies focusing on the prevalence of electric scooter injuries should include standardized data, such as electric scooter usage patterns and critical clinical variables. In addition, research on interventions to prevent electric scooter injuries will help address this growing concern. These studies are also necessary for improving public health.
In conclusion, e-scooter injuries are common, but many cases are not severe. Injuries to the face and head, mainly when riding alone, may be fatal. In some instances, the injuries may result in permanent damage, affecting your mobility and overall health. In these cases, helmets are essential.
Moreover, the study included only 89 cases. These were mostly nighttime accidents, and riders were more likely to be under the influence of alcohol. In addition, 54% of e-scooter accidents involved facial injuries. While these results are relatively limited, they should be used as a basis for public education.
Although the study focused on the head, there were also many cases of injuries to other parts of the body, including the back and pelvis. The study also excluded cases that involved injuries to the abdomen. The majority of cases, however, involved head injuries and fractures of the lower extremities. Furthermore, a small percentage of participants wore protective helmets.
