How Dangerous are Dockless Scooters?

Posted January 14, 2019 | Personal Injury Blog

In recent months, Dockless scooters, like those from Bird Scooters, Inc., have been the center of media attention. Reports of injury, property damage, and public nuisance have led municipal officials to carefully consider whether they want to allow the units on city streets. Are dockless scooters actually dangerous, or are they being overplayed by the media? What are the consequences if someone suffers an injury?

Fielding Law’s personal injury attorneys assist victims of scooter accidents in understanding their legal options and pursuing fair compensation.

An Increase in ER Visits

Recent data across the United States, including Texas, shows a significant rise in emergency room visits related to electric scooter injuries. Nationwide, injuries associated with micromobility devices like e-scooters have steadily increased in recent years, with thousands of patients seeking emergency care annually.

Studies have found that most injured riders are young adults, often between their 20s and 40s, though incidents affect a wide range of age groups. Many injuries occur when riders lose control or attempt to break a fall, leading to trauma involving the arms, wrists, and shoulders.

In Texas cities where scooters have become more common, similar patterns have emerged. Emergency departments report a growing number of cases involving fractures, head injuries, and soft tissue damage. In fact, head injuries account for a significant portion of scooter-related ER visits, while fractures and lacerations are also frequently reported.

Another concern is rider behavior. Research consistently shows low helmet usage among scooter riders and a notable number of accidents involving alcohol use. These factors significantly increase the risk of serious injury.

Beyond riders themselves, injuries can also occur due to improperly parked scooters. In cities where dockless scooters are widely used, devices are often left on sidewalks, near entrances, or in pedestrian pathways, creating hazards for others.

As micromobility continues to expand across Texas communities, including areas like Mesquite, Richardson, and Heath, safety concerns remain a growing issue for both riders and pedestrians.

What Happens After an Injury?

It is important to remember that Bird Scooters are meant to be on the road, not on sidewalks where they can run into people. However, not everyone follows the rules and both riders and other pedestrians are in danger of injury.

The peer-to-peer model of business is still developing, as is the liability law surrounding it. Unlike the largest ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft, who have insurance to cover their drivers, Bird and Lime give the liability directly to the rider of the scooter. This means that the rider of a scooter will be liable for any injuries they cause, self-inflicted or otherwise.

In Texas, e-scooters are generally not required to carry insurance. This means that if someone is injured by an e-scooter operator, there may be limited insurance coverage available.

If injuries continue to be a problem, it is possible that e-scooters will require some sort of coverage as they become more ubiquitous. For now, however, injured parties are limited in their ability to seek compensation from an insurance company, unless an accident resulted from an at-fault driver. The best option for anyone who sustains a serious injury using an e-scooter is to consult with a personal injury attorney, who can further investigate any possible legal options.

Text edited by Mitchell Fielding, a personal injury lawyer and partner at Fielding Law. Mitchell is known for his hard work ethic, friendly personality and dedication to the law. You can find out personal injury law offices in Taylorsville, UT and Mesquite, TX.