PELHAM, Pelham County, N.H., Sept. 24, 2026 — A 16-year-old riding an e-scooter suffered serious injuries on Wednesday morning, September 23, after a collision with a Jeep on Atwood Road in Pelham. The Pelham Police Department and Pelham Fire Department responded to the crash near Pelham Plaza around 7:15 a.m.
According to the police, the e-scooter was traveling west on Atwood Road, against the direction of traffic, when it passed the plaza entrance. A black 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee headed east on Atwood Road was turning right into the plaza at the same time. The Jeep's driver told investigators sun glare kept them from seeing the scooter before the two collided in the intersection.
The teen, a Pelham High School student, was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening. The Jeep's driver was not hurt.
Officials said the crash remains under investigation, and they are asking anyone who saw the collision to come forward.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
What Actually Cuts Down E-Scooter and Vehicle Collisions
Speed is usually the difference between an e-scooter rider walking away and one being seriously hurt. Even a modest reduction in a vehicle's turning speed through an intersection gives a driver more time to spot a rider and more room to stop. Slower speeds also shrink the distance a scooter or its rider travels on impact, which lowers the chance of a serious injury.
Engineering changes help too. Better sightlines at intersections, sun-glare mitigation like shaded turn lanes or angled approach paths, and clear signage marking where scooters should travel can cut down on the kind of split-second visibility gap that leads to a crash. Some towns have added dedicated scooter lanes or lower speed limits near schools and plazas specifically to reduce conflict points between turning vehicles and smaller, harder-to-see traffic.
Driver behavior matters alongside road design. Checking twice before a turn, especially when facing glare, and riders traveling with the flow of traffic rather than against it both reduce the odds that paths cross unexpectedly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, passenger vehicles made up 92 percent of registered vehicles and 89 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2023, a reminder that most roads are still built around car and truck movement, which is part of why smaller, slower vehicles like e-scooters need extra design consideration to stay visible and protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe spot if possible, call 911, and exchange information with the other party. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a medical professional, since some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share of crashes occur at or near intersections, where turning vehicles, crossing pedestrians, and other traffic all meet in a small space with limited reaction time.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Slowing down before turns, scanning intersections twice, and accounting for glare or blind spots all help. Riders on scooters or bikes reduce risk by traveling with traffic flow and staying visible.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Common injuries include fractures, head and neck trauma, and soft tissue injuries. Riders on smaller vehicles like e-scooters face a higher risk of serious injury in a collision with a car or SUV.
What to Do After an E-Scooter Crash in Pelham, NH
If you or someone you know is involved in an e-scooter collision, call 911 right away and wait for police and medical responders. Even when injuries appear minor, a hospital evaluation is important, since impacts with a vehicle can cause internal or soft-tissue injuries that aren't immediately obvious. Cooperate with responding officers and provide a clear account of what happened while details are fresh. For families in Pelham navigating the aftermath of a crash like this, staying in contact with the investigating department can help clarify next steps as the case moves forward.
