Texas Accident & Injury News
e-Scooter for Christmas? Make sure your teen knows basic safety rules before hitting the road.
Teen Hospitalized With Non-life-threatening Injuries After Being Struck by Passing Vehicle While Riding e-Scooter
According to a KSAT News report, a teen boy was struck and injured while riding an e-scooter very early Sunday morning.
Police reported the accident happened at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, December 1st, at the intersection of Live Oak and Nolan Street on San Antonio’s East Side. Witnesses say a 14-year-old riding an e-scooter ran a red light at the intersection and was struck by a driver traveling westbound on Nolan Street. The driver drove away, and the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say the driver will be charged with failure to stop and render aid when caught.
Did You Know?
The CPSC reported an estimated 42,200 people were treated for e-scooter injuries in ERs in 2021, a 66% increase from 2020.
e-Scooter Safety for Teens in Texas
e-Scooters are rapidly growing in popularity, especially among teens.
They can be a lot of fun, but they’re also dangerous if used improperly — tens of thousands of children across the United States are injured (sometimes severely) while riding e-scooters.
Whether you already have an e-scooter in your home or are anticipating one for the upcoming holidays, here are safety tips every teen should follow when riding.
Safe e-Scooter Riding
In Texas, you have to be 16 to ride an e-scooter on a public road, and it can never be used on a highway. However, even if you’re only riding on private property, you can still be severely injured, so your child should always follow all guidelines whenever they ride.
- Wear a Helmet — When surveyed, 57% of parents didn’t require their children to wear a helmet while riding a scooter as opposed to a bike. Consequently, the most common injury requiring ER treatment from an e-scooter in the CPSC report was a head injury (45%).
- Ride Solo — One at a time, all the time. An e-scooter is only designed to carry one person, and two or more riders cause an imbalance that increases the risk of injury.
- No Distractions — No phones, AirPods, or other distractions while riding. Riding an e-scooter requires your child’s undivided attention to avoid accidents.
- Ride in Ideal Conditions — Most e-scooters are designed for flat, paved surfaces, mostly free of loose debris. Clear away large debris, twigs, and other hazards that may cause a tipover before you ride. E-scooters are also safer on dry roads, as wet or icy conditions will cause them to loose traction.
Most Common e-Scooter Injuries
Most e-scooter accidents requiring ER treatment happen on paved roads (71%), during dark conditions (21%), and while the rider is holding an item while riding (26%). Brake problems and fire hazards were the most common cause of injury after user error and motor vehicle accidents.
The most common injuries from e-scooter accidents were:
- Head Injuries (45%)
- Arm Fractures (27%)
- Leg Fractures (12%)
Child Injured on an e-Scooter in San Antonio? Call Shaw!
If your child was injured on an e-scooter due to a careless driver or defective scooter anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Medical Bills,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Carabin Shaw child injury attorney. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio for over 31 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.