In September 2020, Seattle introduced its popular e-scooter share program, giving residents an affordable, low-maintenance mode of transportation for maneuvering city streets. Since then, residents have taken over three million trips on seated and standing scooters, with an average of 18.2 thousand trips every day.
Clearly, scooters are a popular way to get around the city. However, many wonder whether they’re safe. Discover what research data says about motor scooter safety, what hazards exist when riding these vehicles, and what you should do if you’re among the thousands injured in scooter accidents each year.
What Is Considered A Motor Scooter?
According to the Washington State Patrol, a motor scooter (also referred to as a motorized foot scooter) has a very specific definition. To be classified as a foot scooter, the vehicle must have:
- No more than two wheels that are 10 inches in diameter
- An internal combustion or electric motor that propels the device without human propulsion
- The capability to go no more than 20 miles per hour on level ground
Note that some scooters in Seattle are seated, and some of those seated scooters have wheels with a diameter that exceeds 10 inches. Nonetheless, these vehicles aren’t sophisticated enough to be classified as mopeds.
Are Motor Scooters Safe In Seattle?
With tens of thousands of daily trips throughout the city, many Seattle residents wonder what’s at stake when they choose to ride a scooter. While it’s possible to operate a scooter safely with a little training and experience, these conveyances can pose a danger to riders and those around them.
Data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission suggests that e-scooter-related medical encounters have risen sharply in recent years. After the launch of the program in late 2020, there were just three injuries bad enough to warrant medical attention. Just one year later, in 2021, there were more than 40. More than 140 riders were injured in 2023.
Unfortunately, many of these injuries were serious. Nearly half were head or neck injuries; just over 13% resulted in internal organ damage; and 10% required at least one inpatient hospital stay. This data indicates that, while many residents ride scooters without incident, accidents can and do happen quite often.
What Are The Potential Causes Of Motor Scooter Accidents?
Motor scooter accidents can have many different causes. A scooter might malfunction due to a manufacturing error or a lack of maintenance. For example, a bad engine can cause loss of control due to sudden acceleration or deceleration.
Similarly, wheel lockups, brake failures, and loose handlebars can cause riders to fall off the scooter. Users can also be thrown from the scooter or collide with cars, bike riders, pedestrians, or stationary objects.
Additionally, scooters aren’t always able to safely navigate road hazards. Riders may encounter potholes, debris, broken cement, or uneven terrain. Motor scooters don’t always do well with these dangers and can easily cause falls and collisions.
Finally, car and truck drivers often don’t know how to interact with motorcycles or motor scooters. Drivers may not know where to look out for them, whether to give them the right of way, or what the average reaction time is for a motorized scooter rider. This uncertainty and lack of knowledge can lead to serious accidents.
Contact The Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer For More Help
Unfortunately, motor scooter accidents are common and can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been involved in one, your first step should be to seek medical attention. Make sure to document the incident, gathering physical evidence and, when possible, eyewitness statements.
After that, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced Seattle personal injury attorney at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Not only do our lawyers have the resources to investigate the incident, but we can also explain your legal options and assist in determining fault.
For more information, contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation. We have convenient locations in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer – Seattle
701 5th Ave Suite 4300A, Seattle, WA 98104
(253) 948-0250
Monday to Friday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer – Tacoma
909 A St Ste 700, Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 264-0225
Monday to Friday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM