Stephen Schultz | August 30, 2023 | Scooter Accidents
For individuals living in large cities like St. Louis, Missouri, motor scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mobility option. Classified as small vehicles with two or three wheels, motor scooters are steered using handlebars and can be operated while standing up or seated, depending on the design. Their small size and high maneuverability make motor scooters highly convenient to drive.
What these vehicles offer in convenience, however, they sacrifice in safety. Any two-wheeled vehicles that are not passenger cars, like bicycles, motorcycles, and motor scooters, leave riders exposed to and at risk of serious injury.
Riders in St. Louis who choose to use electric and motor scooters should be aware of these risks and how to keep themselves safe.
Micromobility Vehicle Safety Statistics
Small, portable vehicles such as electric and motor scooters have experienced a recent surge in use. They have become especially popular in urban areas where using a traditional car can be cumbersome. With this increase in usage, there has been an increase in the number of scooter accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that, between 2017 and 2021, injuries resulting from micromobility device use increased by 127%. Similarly, the number of deaths increased to nearly 50 over this time period. Electric scooters, or e-scooters, accounted for a significant number of these increased injuries and fatalities.
Common Injuries Sustained in Motor Scooter Crashes
Scooter riders are subject to many of the same injuries that bicyclists and motorcyclists experience. These include head injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Wearing a helmet can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of a head injury.
Broken bones are another common injury among riders of micromobility devices, especially if the crash involves the rider being struck by a car or truck. Broken legs and arms are common, and neck and spinal cord injuries cannot be ruled out.
How Do Motor Scooter Accidents Happen?
There are several ways in which motor scooter accidents tend to happen in St. Louis.
These include:
- Inexperienced riders making bad decisions or failing to control their scooters adequately
- Drivers being in a hurry and failing to notice motor scooter riders nearby
- Road users not understanding the rules that apply to motor scooters
- Older roads in the city not being maintained to accommodate motor scooter travel
A great many bicycle accidents happen along Union Boulevard and Grand Avenue. As such, it stands to reason that these locations are also dangerous corridors for motor scooter riders.
Staying Safe on Motor Scooters in St. Louis
Aside from wearing a helmet when riding your motor scooter, there are a number of steps you can take to increase your safety and reduce the risk of a crash.
For instance, you should:
- Obey all traffic signals you see
- Never turn in front of traffic unless you have the right of way and it is safe to do so
- Wear bright clothing that is easily visible
- Ride as close as you can to the right side of the roadway so other traffic can pass you
And while it may seem obvious, it is imperative that you never be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while riding your motor scooter.
You deserve to take advantage of the compact maneuverability that motor scooters can offer to St. Louis commuters. Following these simple but important steps can help you take advantage of a motor scooter’s benefits while avoiding some of the dangers they can present.
Contact Our Motor Scooter Accident Law Firm in St. Louis, MO
If you’ve been injured in a motor scooter accident, please contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:
St. Louis, MO Law Office
1430 Washington Ave Ste 225, St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-4444
Ladue, MO Law Office
9807 S 40 Dr, St. Louis, MO 63124
Columbia, MO Law Office
28 N 8th St # 502, Columbia, MO 65201
Creve Coeur, MO Law Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
