Motorized Vehicles, Nec (3 Or More Wheels)
Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.
Home Medical & Assistance Devices · CPSC Code 1744
Down 70% over 5 years
The verdict
Motorized Vehicles, Nec (3 Or More Wheels) carry a danger score of 41/100 (moderate risk), driven by roughly 10,753 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 70% over the last five years.
- 41/100
- danger score (moderate risk)
- 10,753
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 18.3%
- end in hospital admission
- 75+
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 1744 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 41/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume10,753 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)18.3%
- Fatality rate0.17%
- 5-year trend-70%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Motorized Vehicles, Nec (3 Or More Wheels) (CPSC product code 1744, in the Home Medical & Assistance Devices category) generate an estimated 10,753 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 215,051 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 41/100 for this category (moderate risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are declining by about 70% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2018 (23,486 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2022 (2,722 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 21,601 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by fracture to the lower trunk (11,185 cases). The 75+ age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 73,438 cases over the NEISS window, and females appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 18.3% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.17%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 8 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only
Who Gets Injured?
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 1,360 | 971 | |
| 5-14 | 1,998 | 2,044 | |
| 15-24 | 2,661 | 1,178 | |
| 25-34 | 2,800 | 3,255 | |
| 35-44 | 5,281 | 5,975 | |
| 45-54 | 11,443 | 13,875 | |
| 55-64 | 18,177 | 22,124 | |
| 65-74 | 22,103 | 26,357 | |
| 75+ | 32,879 | 40,559 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Lower Trunk | Fracture | |
| Lower Trunk | Other | |
| Lower Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Knee | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Leg | Laceration | |
| Upper Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Upper Trunk | Fracture | |
| Lower Leg | Fracture | |
| Lower Leg | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Shoulder | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Upper Trunk | Other |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
32 YOM UNRESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN A VEHICLE THAT WAS OFFROADING AND WENT OVER A CLIFF OF UNKNOWN HEIGHT. HE IS UNABLE TO MOVE HIS LEGS AND HAS LOW BACK AND PAIN. SMELLS OF ETOH AND ADMITS TO DRINKING. ETOH LEVEL 273. DX: PARAPLEGIA; ETOH; HYPOXIA
32YOM RIDING A MOBILITY SCOOTER AND STRUCK BY A CAR. C/O L LEG PAINDX TIBIA FX
80YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRAIN STRUCK. NO LOC. PT ENDORSES HEAD PAIN AND ABDOMINAL PAIN. DX: SUBDURAL HEMATOMA.
39YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR MVA. PT WAS INVOLVED IN REAR ENDING VEHICLE. PT ENDORSES NECK PAIN. NO LOC. DX: STRAIN OF NECK MUSCLE.
66YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRAIN STRUCK. PT C/O R SHOULDER AND KNEE PAIN. PT WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE. NO LOC. DX: RIGHT SHOULDER PAIN.
33YOF - PATIENT PRESENT FOR MVA. PT IS A PEDESTRAIN STRIKE WITH NECK PAIN, ABDOMINAL AND LEG PAIN. PATIENT WAS HIT BY A HIGH SPEED VEHICLE. POSSIBLE LOC. DX: PREGNANCY AND PEDESTRIAN INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING MOTOR VEHICLE.
31YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRAIN STRUCK. PT HAS + LOC AND C/O PAIN TO L KNEE AND HANDS. DX: RIB FRACTURES AND PELVIC FRACTURE.
37YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRAIN STRUCK. PT C/O BILATERAL HIP PAIN. + LOC. PT HAS SMALL ABRASION TO TEMPLE. DX: PEDESTRAIN INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING MOTOR VEHICLE.
57YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRIAN STRUCK. PT C/O NECK PAIN WITH + LOC. DX: CONCUSSION.
42YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR MVA. PT C/O NECK AND BACK PAIN. DX: PATIENT LEFT WITHOUT BEING SEEN.
22YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRAIN STRUCK. PT WAS AGITATED. DX: PEDESTRIAN INJURED IN NONTRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING MOTOR VEHICLE.
12YOM - PATIENT PRESENT FOR PEDESTRIAN STRUCK. PT WAS HIT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. NO LOC. PT C/O L LEG PAIN AND HAS ABRASION TO L FOOT. DX: PEDESTRIAN INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
I own a Pride Mobility Scooter that I use as transportation around where I live as my legs and back do not allow me to walk very far. I was riding up a hill when the scooter slowed and began rolling backwards down the hill. None of the controls, forward or backwards, operated. The scooter is designed to use the motor as the breaking action to stop. By the time I figured the scooter had a failure, I was going pretty fast backwards down a hill which was a block long. I had to stop the scooter somehow before the speed was even more dangerous so I purposely turned the scooter over causing some great discomfort to me. There is no mechanical backup for breaking action on these scooters and I strongly suspect that none of the handicap, four wheel scooters do either. They all use the motor as a generator to stop the device. However, if there is any disconnect between the motor and the battery, THERE IS NO BREAKING. In my case, the connect between the battery and the motor controller failed and that negated any breaking action. I am a retired electrical engineer so I was able to diagnose the problem and fix it. A neighbor lady has a scooter just like mine as has advanced MS and if this had happened to her, she would have been in grave danger. MY operating manual does not mention any thing about this problem. Even on level ground, having no stoping action is dangerous. How many other scooters have this problem? Shouldn't there be warnings about this?? I think all such devices should be checked for failures that negate breaking and either provide mechanical breaking or warnings about operating on inclines. How would a paraplegic stop such a scooter??
Copy of email we sent to supplier and the response we got [ [REDACTED] 07/02 01:04 Brand: MotoTec Company: Great Sports-Saferwholesale DateofPurchase: 05/30/2017 Model: ES-004(48v) Phone: 9566828794 This MOTOTEC trike was purchased 05/30/2017 and was delivered two weeks later. My wife and i assembled the trike in about two hours. I turned the power key on. I turned the throttle a little bit and nothing happened. I turned the throttle a little bit more and the trike jerked ahead and the drive wheel spun out of control on the driveway. This trike is very difficult to control at low speed. I tried to ride the bike standing on the foot platform and the front wheel jumped off the ground. There is serious problem with the throttle response. If the gas pedal on your car acted like this it would be a very dangerous event. I plan to keep the trike and will work with you in resolving this issue. Customer Support 07/05 14:55 hi [REDACTED] yes these is a very powerful scooter always have the seat on when riding the trike up must lean forward when starting to go forward the wheel will spin and that is ok try very slowly turning the hand throttle this trike has a learning curve just keep riding it you will get use to it thanks [REDACTED] I tried the suggestion made by the supplier . I backed out of our stowage shed very slowly on the driveway toward the street . As i was doing this the bike jerked back out of control and when i applied the brake,the trike toppled over backwards. I was thrown backwards on the pavement. A result of this i was laying on my back at the bottom of the drive way apron . After lay there for about five minutes i was helped up. Both elbows were bleeding. My lower back was in pain. The back of my head slammed on the pavement. My wife bandaged my elbows until i see our family doctor on Monday for head injuries. Why am i being told now by the supplier to get use to it ? I find it very easy to fine the exact pr
Mobility Scooter for disabled or elderly people: Because of the unstable rear wheel drive, slack in acceleration, free-rolling, and lack of tip-over wheels, the scooter has caused me to tip over both sideways and going up small inclines a few times; caused bruised arm and shoulder (witnessed by wife and son). Basic design and lack of standard safety equipment make the product unsafe and dangerous (as explained in attached letters where I tried to contact the company to resolve the issue). I have also "flipped" the scooter at home on tilted sidewalk and while trying to go up very small sidewalk ramp.
I was testing my new scooter and I was in reverse I applied the brakes and the scooter lifted off from the front wheels, I fell on my back to the ground hitting my head, back and shoulders.
Bought a 3 wheeler conversation kit from BVC and the welds broke and i crashed the 3 wheeler
I was riding a new Moto Tec 48V 700watt Mobility Scooter, a folding scooter that goes 10mph and weighs 65 lbs. I turned the throttle to start after having charged the battery. It took off much faster than usual. Lurching forward, the scooter folded up under my feet and threw me backward out of the seat. I hit the sidewalk on my neck. There were 3 witnesses who then helped me.
Purchased a ew-46 from Ewheels Ewheels dealers.com it was missing shock bolts, had loose nuts and brake bolts. The ew-46 mobility scooter has extremely poor braking capabilities, rolls on hills, and has in my opinion can tip on side when driving. It is top heavy with short / narrow wheel base. Forward and reverse has intermittent not working issues
I bought a Comodita Brava walker on Amazon in 2016. I really didn't use it that much until this year. It looked like new. While sitting on the seat on October 3, 2018 in Gulfport, Florida in a beach park under a gazebo, the plastic part of the walker suddenly sheared off and threw me on the ground. I had bloody elbow and knee. People helped me get up and notified the police who was nearby. He called the fire department. They wanted to transport me to ER. Instead I asked them to clean and wrap my wounds. Later that night I developed severe shoulder pain. Thankfully, there was no fracture. The force of hitting concrete floor, badly bruised my rotator cuff. I still have lingering pain. The walker is supposed to hold up to 300 pounds. I only 159 pounds. Reading a few one star comments about Comodita walkers, I realized that this is not an isolated incident and I felt I should report it. I do have pictures of my injuries, broken walker, witnesses and a police case number.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels)?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) have a danger score of 41/100 (moderate risk). An estimated 10,753 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels)?
The most common injury is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 21,601 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) increasing or decreasing?
Down 70% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels) injuries?
The 75+ age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 73,438 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels)?
Of all ER visits involving motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels), approximately 18.3% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (81.7%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with motorized vehicles, nec (3 or more wheels)?
You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
Related Products in Home Medical & Assistance Devices
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 41/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.
- See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
- Injuries cluster in the 75+ age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
- Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls
NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.
Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.
