“E-Scooter, E-Bike and Hoverboard Injuries and Deaths Are on the Rise.” That was a breaking news headline published in an October 11th, 2022, press release by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The headline highlights the grim findings of a report published in September 2022.[1]
The report’s findings? Micro-mobility products (E-scooters, E-bikes, and hoverboards) are causing Americans injury and death.[2]
New Study Shows Spike in Injury and Death from Electric Bikes, Skateboards, Scooters, and Hoverboards
Given that E-scooters, E-bikes, and electronically powered “hoverboards” and skateboards are relatively new technology, the September 2022 CPSC report provided the first look at the accidents and injuries caused by these toys. Quoting the CPSC:
“From 2017 to 2021, injuries spiked 127 percent to 77,200 for micro-mobility devices, and the number of deaths rose from 5 to 48. E-scooters had the highest percentage increase in injuries and accounted for 68 deaths in the same time period. Consumer-owned e-scooters accounted for most ER visits (56 percent), but incidents involving rental e-scooter were not far behind (44 percent).”
Of significant concern, injuries and deaths connected to micro-mobility products spiked far higher between 2017 and 2021 than those connected to other mobility devices such as motor vehicles, trucks, airplanes, trains, or boats.
A New Consumer Market of Mobility Products Creates Concern About Insufficient Safety Regulations
Remember, and this is of particular concern, E-scooters, E-bikes, electronic skateboards, and hoverboards are classified as toys, not vehicles, even though most of these devices can achieve high enough speeds to cause serious injury or death in the event of an accident.
But because the “toys” are classified as such, they fall under different degrees of regulation, safety requirements, protective gear, laws regarding speed limits, where and how people can use the toys, etc. Essentially, the “toys” are in a gray area of consumer products, having the risk factors of cars and motorcycles but not receiving the federal or state regulations that cars or motorcycles do.
In the Event of an Injury, Seek Help from NRS Injury Law
Because safety protections, health recommendations, and traffic rules and regulations regarding micro-mobility devices are still so lacking, people injured using these products may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.
In many ways, companies that manufacture these products have somewhat “jumped the gun” on bringing their products to market before investing sufficiently in safety precautions to protect their customers. With that in mind, if you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving a micro-mobility device, contact NRS Injury Law today. Call our direct line at 855.468.4878 or fill out our online contact form.
Sources Cited:
[1] USCPSC. “E-Scooter, E-Bike and Hoverboard Injuries and Deaths Are on the Rise; Celebrate National Fire Prevention Week with the Safe Use of Micro-mobility Products.” United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2022. cpsc.gov
[2] USCPSC. “Micro-mobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017–2021.” United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2022. cpsc.gov
category: Auto Accidents
