Electric scooters have become a common sight in cities and neighborhoods across the United States. They offer convenience, affordability, and an easy way to travel short distances. However, the rapid rise in electric scooter use has also led to a sharp increase in serious injuries and safety concerns. Riders often underestimate the dangers associated with these devices, especially because scooters appear smaller and less intimidating than motorcycles or cars. In reality, electric scooters can travel at significant speeds, expose riders directly to traffic hazards, and provide very little physical protection in a crash.
Recent studies show that electric scooter injuries are increasing at an alarming rate. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes increased nearly 21% in 2022 alone. Emergency room visits related to these devices have surged as their popularity has grown. Many hospitals across the country have seen dramatic increases in fractures, head injuries, facial trauma, spinal injuries, and internal injuries involving scooter riders.
One of the biggest dangers associated with electric scooters is the risk of head and brain injuries. Riders are highly vulnerable because scooters provide no protective structure around the body. Even a relatively low-speed fall can result in traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, or facial fractures. Researchers studying scooter-related trauma consistently found that helmet use among injured riders was extremely low. In one CDC-related study, fewer than 1% of injured riders reported wearing a helmet at the time of their crash. Another study found that only about 4% of injured scooter riders were wearing helmets.
Medical research has shown that head injuries are among the most common and serious consequences of scooter crashes. Riders frequently suffer concussions, traumatic brain injuries, facial lacerations, dental injuries, and fractures to the jaw and orbital bones. The Brain Injury Association of America has warned that inconsistent helmet laws and low helmet usage are contributing to severe and life-changing brain injuries among scooter riders.
Electric scooters also create substantial risks because of their design. Their small wheels can become unstable when riders encounter potholes, uneven pavement, cracks, debris, wet surfaces, or railroad tracks. Unlike bicycles, scooters have a shorter wheelbase and a higher likelihood of abrupt loss of control. Many crashes occur without any collision with another vehicle. According to safety research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many e-scooter crashes are single-vehicle incidents caused by roadway conditions or loss of control.
Another serious issue is that many scooter riders share roads with larger vehicles. Motorists may fail to see scooter riders because of their smaller size and unpredictable movements. Intersections are especially dangerous. When scooters collide with cars, trucks, or SUVs, riders often suffer devastating injuries because they have no airbags, seat belts, or protective frames. Researchers have noted that injury severity increases significantly when a motor vehicle is involved in the crash.
Alcohol and distracted riding are also major contributors to scooter accidents. Several studies found that impaired riding is common among injured scooter users. Riders may falsely assume that scooters are safer than driving a car while impaired, but alcohol significantly reduces balance, reaction time, and judgment. Because scooters require constant balance and coordination, impairment can quickly lead to catastrophic crashes.
Children and teenagers face unique dangers when using electric scooters. Pediatric injury rates continue to rise as scooters become more widely available. The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned that children are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries because of inexperience, lack of helmet use, and limited understanding of traffic safety. Young riders often underestimate stopping distances and may struggle to react appropriately in traffic or crowded pedestrian areas.
Pedestrians are also at risk. Improperly parked scooters can create tripping hazards on sidewalks, and collisions between scooters and pedestrians have caused severe injuries and even fatalities. In crowded urban areas, fast-moving scooters traveling near pedestrians create dangerous situations for elderly individuals, children, and people with disabilities.
As cities continue to adopt micromobility transportation, safety concerns surrounding electric scooters will likely remain a growing issue. Dedicated bike lanes, improved roadway infrastructure, helmet use, rider education, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws may help reduce injuries. However, the reality remains that electric scooters can cause severe and permanent injuries in a matter of seconds. Riders should understand that these devices are not toys. They are motorized vehicles capable of causing life-changing harm when operated carelessly or in unsafe environments.
As a crash and accident attorney, I see the dangers of these scooters in real life. For more information about electric scooter safety and injury statistics, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
