In late May 2019, the city of Tampa launched its electric scooter pilot program. Tampa plans to have four different vendors place 2,400 E-scooters on streets across the city. The pilot program will go on for one year, and then city officials will evaluate whether to continue the program. The scooters will not be permitted on East Seventh Street, Bayshore Boulevard, and the Tampa Riverwalk.
What are E-scooters?
Electric scooters, also known as E-scooters, are provided by a number of different companies including Bird, Lime, and Spin. To use an electric scooter, a user must download an app, enter their credit card information, and then find and scan a scooter. The E-scooter can then be left at the user’s destination. E-scooters can travel up to 20 mph and will be permitted on sidewalks only.
The Dangers of E-scooters
While E-scooters may be convenient, they are certainly not the safest mode of transportation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) foundthat there has been a recent uptick in emergency room visits for fractures, dislocations, and head trauma since the scooters have hit the streets of cities across the country. The CDC found that 45% of accidents involving scooters resulted in head injuries.
Many of these injuries result from the fact that riders are not wearing protective gear when they use scooters. While typically riders agree that they will wear a helmet when they sign in to use an E-scooter, the reality is that most riders are not wearing any protective gear. This makes them particularly vulnerable to serious injuries.
Negligent drivers can cause accidents with scooters. Because scooters have a low profile, they can be difficult for a driver to see, especially if the driver is not paying attention to their surroundings. Drivers need to respect an E-scooters space, especially when they are operating in crosswalks. A failure to do so can result in catastrophic injury.
Contact a Tampa Bay Scooter Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an E-scooter accident, you may want to consult with a scooter accident lawyer in Florida. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have been representing accident victims for over 30 years. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.