Scooters can be a fun and economical way to get around. Scooters often share the road with cars, though, which means they can be hazardous. Sometimes drivers fail to notice or respect scooter riders, and that can end in accidents. When a scooter and a vehicle collide, the crash can end in fatality for the rider.
If you were in a scooter accident and believe the other driver was at fault, you could be eligible for compensation. You have a right to seek compensation for damages you have paid because of someone else’s negligence, but you do not have to do this alone.
A The Villages scooter accident lawyer on our team can help. Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today at (352) 391-6031 for a free consultation regarding your personal injury case.
Scooters and Florida Law
Traffic accidents happen every day all across Florida. In 2018, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported more than 255,000 injuries from collisions.
That means victims spent a lot of money and time rehabilitating, treating injuries, and getting life back to normal. When a scooter collides with a car, the results can be catastrophic for the scooter operator.
Florida law does not require the use of a helmet while riding a scooter. Not wearing one, though, increases the risk of serious injury in a collision. The law regarding registration and titling in Florida depends on the type of scooter you are riding. The type of scooter also determines where you can ride it—whether on the sidewalk or the roadway.
In general, though, scooters have just as much right to the road as a bicycle or motorcycle. That means anyone riding a scooter deserves courtesy and respect from others on the road.
A driver does not have the right to disregard a scooter or take the right-of-way when the law does not permit it. Drivers must remain aware of all others around them, including other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and people on scooters.
Scooter and Vehicle Accident Liability
Some steps that scooter operators can take to increase safety include wearing a helmet, driving sober, and being aware of all surroundings. It is also important that scooter drivers know the law regarding their scooters. Even with all these measures, though, you cannot control other drivers. An accident can happen before you have any time to react.
A passenger vehicle driver can become distracted by eating, drinking, talking with passengers, or just adjusting the radio. They could also be using their phone while behind the wheel.
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol can also cause crashes to happen. If a driver got into a collision with you because they were disregarding traffic laws or otherwise not driving responsibly, they could be liable.
If you believe that the driver in your scooter accident was acting negligently, you can seek compensation. You have a right to pursue legal action against a driver who caused an accident in which you suffered injuries.
A The Villages scooter accident lawyer can tell you where your scooter falls within the law and how that might affect your case. Call (352) 391-6031 to speak with the team at Bogin, Munns & Munns about your case and decide how best to proceed.
To consult with an experienced scooter accident lawyer serving The Villages
855-780-9986
Compensation for Your Injuries
From the time of your accident, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida, according to Florida Statutes 95.11. It’s extremely important that you contact us as soon as possible. If you fail to file a lawsuit during this two-year time frame, you can lose out on valuable compensation for your injuries and losses.
Your scooter might have been damaged or destroyed. You may have needed a visit to an emergency room or on-site medical attention from an ambulance. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could receive compensation for the following types of damages:
- Medical bills for a trip to the emergency room, hospital stay, doctor appointments, physical therapy, and specialist appointments
- Medications to treat your symptoms or prevent infection
- Medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, to go about your daily life
- Lost wages from the time you have missed at work and time you could miss in the future
- Property damage to repair or replace your scooter
Along with these damages that have a clear dollar value, you may recover awards for non-economic damages, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and depression
Wrongful Death Damages in a Scooter Accident Case
You may be interested in filing a wrongful death claim for a loved one who died because of their injuries in a scooter accident. In this type of case, the statute of limitations allows for two years from the time of death to file.
If you are filing on behalf of a family member who died because of their scooter accident injuries, we can help. You may be able to seek compensation for the costs of their treatment before they died.
You can also recover damages to compensate you for the loss of your relationship with that person. We know how hard it is to lose a loved one, and we want to help you and your family.
Our team can help you calculate how much you can pursue in compensation and guide you through the lawsuit process. One of our scooter accident lawyers can also help you determine how Florida laws pertain to your case.
Call for Your Free Consultation
With a personal injury lawsuit, you could get back what you have lost because of your scooter accident. It allows you to seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other resulting hardships.
The team at Bogin, Munns & Munns is here for you. You have the difficult task of treating your injuries, so let us handle the legal work. We can offer a free consultation for your personal injury case.
Call us today at (352) 391-6031 to speak with a member of our firm about your accident. We have a The Villages scooter accident lawyer that can be there for you.
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