Harlene Labrum | October 28, 2024 | Scooter Accidents
How Safe Are Motor Scooters in Nashville, TN?
Motor scooters seem to be everywhere these days.
Scooters offer a mobility solution for many young people and professionals across the U.S. They’re a fun, convenient way to get around big cities like Nashville. They’re also eco-friendly and cost-effective, and you don’t even have to worry about finding parking.
But just how safe are motorized scooters?
The Scooting Revolution
In Tennessee, a scooter is defined as a two or three-wheeled vehicle smaller than 125 cubic centimeters.
Nashville embraced electric scooters in a big way when they debuted in 2018. Within a year, there were over 4,000 scooters on the streets of Music City. Their novelty and convenience quickly made them popular with tourists and locals alike.
Soon, however, scooters littered sidewalks, overtook pedestrian areas, and were operated without oversight. This led to safety concerns, eventually prompting the city to step in with regulations. Authorities capped the number of scooters, designated parking areas, and set speed limits, yet safety issues remained.
How Safe Are Scooters?
How safe are these seemingly innocuous two-wheeled conveyances? The data on scooter accidents in the U.S. from 2014 to 2019 provides the following insights:
- The total number of hospital visits following scooter accidents was 70,644
- The number of incidents rose from 4,881 in 2014 to 29,628 in 2019
- Head injuries were the most common injury, representing 27.1% of all conditions treated
- Broken bones had the next highest incidence
- Most injuries happened to inexperienced riders aged 15 to 24 years who weren’t wearing helmets
It’s not all bad news, fortunately. Fatal scooter accidents are rare, and as riders gain experience and the city improves its infrastructure, injury rates may decline.
Possible Injuries From Scooter Accidents
Scooters are slower than cars or motorcycles, which reduces the severity of crashes. But they’re also less stable and offer less protection to the rider.
As such, riders may experience the following injuries:
- Head and brain injuries
- Sprains, strains, and dislocations
- Broken legs, arms, and ribs
- Damage to internal organs and bleeding
- Pelvic fractures
- Spinal injuries
The safety of scooters depends largely on how they’re used. To be on the safe side, ride sober, always wear a helmet, follow posted traffic laws, stay off sidewalks, and avoid riding near heavy traffic.
Common Causes of Scooter Accidents
A combination of design issues and road usage concerns contribute to motor scooter accidents. Here are some of the most notable factors:
Inadequate Safety Features
Airbags and safety belts can help reduce the severity of injuries in a car accident, but scooters lack such protective features. With the rider exposed, even minor accidents can lead to serious injuries.
Inexperience
Many scooter users don’t take the time to learn how to properly ride the vehicle as they would a motorcycle, car, or truck. They’re also likely to take fewer protective measures, increasing the risk of accidents.
Infrastructure Challenges
Nashville wasn’t designed for scooters. Like many American cities, it’s built for cars. There are relatively few bike lanes and dedicated scooter paths, forcing riders to compete with much larger vehicles on busy streets.
Compromised Visibility
Scooters are small and quiet. Because of this, it’s easy for drivers to overlook them. This is especially dangerous at night or in bad weather. Riders also have limited vision when trailing large vehicles, which reduces reaction times and can lead to fatal accidents.
Scooting Safely in Nashville, TN
Scooters aren’t inherently dangerous. However, they aren’t risk-free, either. Like any mode of transportation, their safety depends on how they’re used and the environment they’re used in.
If you choose to ride a scooter in Nashville, do what you can to prioritize your personal safety. And remember — just because you have the option to ride a scooter doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Sometimes, it’s safer to walk, take a bus, or use a rideshare service.
Contact an Experienced Scooter Accident Attorney Today
You may be facing imprisonment, fines, or even the loss of your motorcycle license if you are found to be in violation of the helmet laws. Whether you or your child are facing penalties for a violation of the motorcycle helmet laws, or have been injured in a scooter accident, we can help you.
For more information, please contact the Nashville personal injury law firm of Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 36.1660546,-86.7795518
Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers – Nashville
315 Deaderick St, Suite 1525
Nashville, TN 37238
(615) 685-8546