Jump Scooters Are Accidents Waiting to Happen

Now that companies like Uber have launched large-scale Jump scooter sharing programs, the electric scooter population seems to have multiplied overnight, and with them the potential for Jump scooter accidents.

What hasn’t been as quick to evolve are the legal oversight and safety programs associated with Jump scooters, and that could spell bad news for anyone who decides to try their luck to save a buck.

Risk vs. Reward of Jump Scooter Sharing

It’s easy to see the appeal of electric scooter sharing. You pay around $1-$2 to get to where you’re going, and you don’t need to worry about storage or upkeep. They’re fun to ride, they’re a greener form of transportation, and finding or paying for parking is not a concern.

The benefits are about as shiny as the scooters themselves, which is why most people fail to recognize that the risk of Jump electric scooter accidents might be greater than the rewards.



The CDC revealed that there are around 20 Jump scooter injuries for every 100,000 trips, which may not seem like a lot when determining your odds. A total of 271 people sustained Jump scooter injuries between September 5 and November 20, 2018, almost half of which were head injuries and 15% of which were traumatic brain injuries.

Although no one died during the study period, a few deaths have been reported across the country.

People are also leaving Jump scooters in pedestrian paths that could create trip and fall hazards. In the extreme case that someone trips over a Jump scooter and becomes injured, who would be liable: The rider? The scooter rental company? The manufacturer? The property owner?

There’s also no safety training before renting the scooter, which can reach 35 miles per hour or more. You don’t need insurance to operate one, so who pays for damages if you hit a car? Who pays for your medical bills if you become injured in a Jump scooter accident?

The burden largely falls on who is at fault, which can be difficult to prove in Jump scooter accidents. Riders’ auto insurance won’t pick up the tab, either, which means you could be subjecting yourself to a costly, lengthy legal battle if you were to cause damage or injure yourself or others.



Jump’s website encourages riders to wear a helmet, and they have even partnered with manufacturers to offer discounts on helmet purchases. However, this requires the rider to treat their helmet like a cellphone or wallet and have it with them at all times, which downplays the convenience factor that makes scooters so attractive in the first place.

As dockless electric scooters grow in popularity and usage, so will the number of injuries and potential for disaster.

Overcoming Legal and Safety Challenges Is Easier Said Than Done.

City governments are being inundated with complaints regarding the electric scooter takeover. Los Angeles at first ordered electric scooter maker Bird to remove its vehicles from the city, but it also created regulations that would allow scooter-sharing programs to operate legally. Other cities like Washington D.C. have also launched pilot programs that will include rules pertaining to parking, permitting, and maintenance, as well as have someone on-call 24/7 in the event of an emergency.

Still, much of the formal focus is on the legality of the business rather than the safety of the user. Without age restrictions, safety training, insurance considerations, and general good judgment of the rider, Jump scooters are accidents waiting to happen. This not only puts the rider at risk but also endangers pedestrians and drivers who are in the rider’s proximity.

At the moment, your best (and only) option is to educate yourself on the hazards of Jump scooter accidents and the legal implications that could follow. If the current pilot programs take off, then legislation surrounding safety and liability will, too.



Sources:

https://www.theregreview.org/2019/01/03/mancuso-electric-scooter-regulations/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/20/technology/electric-scooters-are-causing-havoc-this-man-is-shrugging-it-off.html
https://electrek.co/2018/10/03/uber-jump-electric-scooters/
https://www.longbeachinjuryfirm.com/personal-injury/electric-scooter-accidents/
https://www.santamonicainjurylawfirm.com/electric-scooter-accidents/
https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2019/01/scooter-crash-accidents-safety-liability-bird-lime/577687/
https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2019/01/scooter-crash-accidents-safety-liability-bird-lime/577687/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
https://www.uber.com/ride/scooters/
https://www.ridetwowheels.com/fastest-electric-scooter/