Stay Safe on Your Next Segway Ride

 Posted on December 31, 2017 in Food Poisoning

Segways have been a common sight in malls and among city touring groups since their debut in 2001. Although the Segway's creator hoped to fundamentally change the way we travel, potentially replacing the motor vehicle and altering pedestrian traffic, it never reached this level of influence. It was, however, adopted by many companies and organizations for use by security guards, police officers, and tour group leaders and participants.

Segways, like any other type of vehicle, can be dangerous. A Segway's top speed is 12 miles per hour, and when ridden on a sidewalk among bicyclists and pedestrians, a fast, bulky Segway can cause a collision that results in injury. They are also at risk of mechanical failures just like any other mechanical or electronic product. When an individual is injured in a Segway accident that could have been prevented through better care on another party's part, he or she can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for his or her related damages. The type of personal injury claim the individual files depends on the nature of the incident. It could be a premises liability claim, a product liability claim, or a simple claim based on negligence.

Ways You can be Injured on a Segway

A Segway accident can result in many different types of injury, depending on the circumstances of the accident. These injuries include:

• Cuts;
• Burns;
• Soft tissue injuries;
• Broken bones;
• Head and spinal cord trauma; and
• Organ damage.

Safety Tips for Riding a Segway

You can reduce your chance of being injured while riding a Segway by taking a few safety precautions. The most important precaution you can take is to only ride the Segway in a safe area that provides you with enough space to come to a complete stop at any time. Do not ride on crowded sidewalks or busy roadways, and do not ride the Segway at a speed unsafe for your environment.

Other precautions to take include:

• Wear a helmet when you ride;
• Give the Segway the same respect you give any other motor vehicle. A Segway is not a toy; and
• Before riding in public, practice handling the Segway in a safe environment.

Work with an Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Attorney

If you were injured in an accident caused by another party, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. This is true whether you suffered from food poisoning after being served contaminated food, if you were injured because of a malfunction that the object's manufacturer could have prevented, or if you were injured in a car accident or slip and fall incident on private property. Contact our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your initial consultation in our office to learn more. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Gawrisch)