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E-bikes and e-scooters: A shocking recent rise in crash rates

On Behalf of | Oct 11, 2024 | Personal Injury

For several years, e-scooters and e-bikes have been some of the most popular holiday presents in the U.S. They have also become an increasingly common form of transportation among adults. People frustrated by the costs of insurance and the rising expense of purchasing even a used vehicle may turn to these alternate forms of transportation for running local errands or their daily commute to work.

E-bikes and e-scooters are fun, affordable and efficient. However, they are also a bit risky. They allow people to travel at relatively fast speeds but offer minimal protection in the event of a crash with another vehicle. Unfortunately, the number of crashes involving e-bikes and e-scooters has increased significantly in recent years.

Reported injuries have doubled every year since 2017

Traffic collisions involving e-bikes and e-scooters have increased significantly over the last few years. In 2017, there were only 751 e-bike injuries reported nationwide. Every year since then, the number of injuries reported by e-bike users has increased significantly. In 2022, there were 24,493 injuries reported by e-bike users.

E-scooters have seen a similar increase in injury rates. There were 8,566 injuries reported in 2017, and that figure soared to 56,847 in 2022. During that same time, scooter injuries rose at a slower rate, and bicycle injuries actually decreased.

While many people might think that e-scooter and e-bike injuries are issues for young people, they are actually more of a concern for people in the crimes of their lives. The average age of a person injured on a traditional scooter is 11, while the average age of e-scooter injury sufferers is 30.

Similarly, the median age of the person injured in a cycling collision is 30, but that increases to 39 for those hurt on e-bikes. The people involved in e-bike and e-scooter incidents may have to worry about not just property damage and medical expenses but also lost wages while they recover from their injuries.

Pursuing appropriate compensation after an e-bike or e-scooter crash may require a personal injury lawsuit, rather than just an insurance claim. Recognizing that the risk inherent in e-scooter and e-bike transportation is on the rise might help riders make safer choices in traffic and/or feel more confident about their decision to take legal action after getting hurt.