Some hospitals in the United Arab Emirates have reported an increase in the number of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents. Doctors have advised riders to wear helmets and elbow pads and go with traffic rules.
Orthopaedic sports surgeon at Medeor Hospital, Dr Shibu Varghese, stated that the Electric scooters are a rapidly increasing form of transportation. However, several new cases of injuries are being witnessed due to e-scooter accidents. Riders should stay mindful of many factors before taking scooters to the streets.
As per the published studies, 80% of injuries happen when the riders fall off the scooter after hitting off a bump or bouncing off the sidewalk, and not due to colliding with an object or vehicle.
Dr Varghese highlighted that riding e-scooters need a good level of coordination and skills that are usually found lacking, resulting in an accident on the streets.
“Some riders do not have the core strength or balance between staying straight on e-scooters. They should prepare themselves well before hitting the streets. Also, these scooters are more difficult to control at faster speeds. And some have smaller wheels making them less stable on the road,” he further said.
Specialists of orthopaedics, Aster Hospital, Qusais, said that the e-scooter riders must obey all safety standards and manage speed on the streets.
“It is possible that individuals riding e-scooters can suffer from nominal injuries to extreme injuries following a fall. So, they must follow all the safety measures while riding an e-scooter. The most common injuries we usually witness following an e-scooter accident involve the head, neck, and limbs.”
Recently, Dr Raghavendra performed a complicated surgery to save a limb of a nurse who lost her balance and fell from her e-scooter, causing many injuries and serious injuries.
Injuries can cause bruises, abrasions, concussions, lacerations and fractures. The damages may provoke damage to internal organs and arise from a severe fall. So, he added that managing the speed and wearing protective gear is critical if you use an e-scooter for your mobility.