My electric wheelchair did a back flip going up a ramp

[cutlassmama]

Has anyone else had this happen? I have a bad head concussion right now. I actually hit my head (hard) on the pavement, did a somersault, and the 200 lb. chair landed on my back.

I can't figure out if it is a problem with the chair or if the ramp was too steep.

I'm really paranoid about riding in it right now, but I can't walk...so I'm laying in bed.

[aquart]

1. Take pictures, get your medical records, call a lawyer.

No way in hell that should have happened.

[izquierdista]

2. Hazard of the design

In trying to make them maneuverable, they shrink the wheelbase and width, thus making them have a smaller area more prone to tipping over when going up or down a steep incline. Is it unstable or wobbly on level ground?

Maybe you could fit it with an 'outrigger' to make it more stable on an incline. Have a couple of extension arms with wheels on the end that you could deploy prior to attempting to go up and incline. If you could reach down and pull a lever up and have the rear outrigger deploy two wheels back an extra foot or so, that added wheelbase might prevent instabilities like this.

I hope you better soon and will be back on four wheels in no time. :hi:

[cutlassmama]

3. Thank you. I'm scared.

My boyfriend talked about putting "wheelie bars" on the back. Do you think that would work?

[izquierdista]

4. That would work too

Or even a set of training wheels for a kid's bike. Something to add an additional point of stability.

[China_cat]

5. Doesn't your chair have anti-tip wheels on it?

My scooter does and most of the chairs I've seen do. They're wheels on the back that are small and on an arm, ride about 2 inches off the ground.

[cutlassmama]

6. No, they don't.

I've seen other models that do, but mine doesn't. I wondered about that!!! I notice the medical company that was selling chairs like mine has quit carrying them. I wonder how many other people flipped back???

Anyway, I'm now recovered and feeling a lot better. Thanks to the replies.

[cutlassmama]

7. UPDATE: An additional set of wheels was installed on the back

and a wheelie-bar.

It's been working fine ever since.

[China_cat]

8. That's wonderful. I'm glad you're safer now.

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

9. The more publicity to the problem, the better

Attention is the only way to bring about change in wheelchair safety. I'm not sure whether it was a defective item or if the wheelchairs and ramps are inherently unsafe in combination, but I support your efforts for justice.

If the latter is true it would have to mean a push for tighter safety regulations.

[TexasLady]

10. This scares the crap out of me

Im on coumadin (blood thinner) and bleeding of a head injury is not an option. My dog scratched me and I bled for 45 minutes.

I dont have an electric one, but worry all the time about this very thing.