Before you jump on a scooter, you need to be aware that there are three likely dangers of riding a scooter.
- You might get injured. Obviously, no one wants to get injured and everyone assumes they won’t get injured when they get on a scooter BUT the chances of injury on a scooter are much higher than when driving a car, walking, riding a bike, or riding a motorcycle. Cars and trucks can’t see you very easily if you are riding a scooter. Runners, walkers, and bicyclists may be unaware that you are nearby and may dart out in front of you. The scooter may malfunction and cause you to be injured. You may make a mistake while riding that results in your injury. In addition, the injuries you suffer on a scooter are much more likely to be more serious because you don’t have the protection of being inside a car, most people don’t wear helmets, and scooters travel faster than you can walk or run. People break bones, suffer brain injuries, and face very serious injuries on scooters.
- You might injure someone else. No one wants to injure anyone else while they are riding a scooter and people always assume they won’t. But it happens far too often. Sometimes it may be the other person’s fault, sometimes it may be your fault. Either way, it is a terrible situation and you may face criminal penalties and/or you may get sued. This most often happens when inexperienced people ride scooters, especially in places with which they are unfamiliar, or which are not suitable for riding scooters or when they are impaired. The injuries that others suffer are just as serious as injuries you may suffer.
- You might suffer devastating financial consequences. Most people never think of this danger, but if someone is injured, whether it is you or someone else, there is always an expense associated with it. If you are injured, you will have medical bills and very likely will lose wages. Who will pay that? And how much will it cost? If you injure someone else, you will be responsible for not only that person’s medical bills and wage loss, but also an additional payment to them for the pain and suffering you caused. Those numbers can add up quickly. Unfortunately, most insurance does not cover injuries that you cause while riding a scooter and it may not provide coverage to you if you are injured. Even if you have health insurance, you will still have to pay your deductible and co-pays and there may be some things that are excluded from insurance.
Before you get on a scooter, make sure you know and understand the dangers and that you are prepared to face them physically and financially.
