Motor Scooter Accidents
In Florida, motor scooters, such as Vespas, have become increasingly popular ways of getting around. They are a great way to beat traffic and the expense of having a car. Motor scooters come in a variety of engine sizes and have the capacity to reach high speeds. However, motor scooters don’t offer the same protection that someone surrounded by the steel of a car or a truck therefore motor scooter accidents can result in serious injury.
Common Causes of Motor Scooter Accidents
Motor scooter accidents are frequently the result of negligence on the part of the driver of a larger vehicle. Behavior by drivers that can lead to motor scooter accidents include:
- Taking their eyes off the road and driving distracted
- Failing to check blind spots
- Making turns without checking the surrounding area
- Turning in front of a scooter
- Tailgating a scooter
- Attempting to share a lane with a scooter
- A car door that is opened into a lane of traffic
Motor scooters are entitled to an entire lane in traffic, and drivers should be sure not to drive too close to them. Like motorcycles, motor scooters are less visible on the road than other vehicles. However, unlike motorcycles, motor scooters are also very quiet. Drivers must be aware of motor scooters on the road and pay attention to their surroundings at all times to avoid a collision.
Injuries From Motor Scooter Accidents
Motor scooter accidents can result in very serious injuries. Because motor scooters don’t have the same protections as a car or truck, riders of motor scooters must rely on helmets and other gear to keep them as safe as possible. Some common injuries that can result from motor scooter accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury—riding with a helmet can help a great deal, but some traumatic brain injuries are not prevented by a helmet.
- Shoulder injuries—motor scooter accidents typically result in the rider falling off the scooter. This can lead to serious shoulder injuries depending on the impact.
- Fractures—because motor scooter riders often hit the pavement with some force in an accident, bone fractures are very common
- Spinal cord injuries—the impact of a car hitting a motor scooter can lead to serious spinal cord injuries
- Road rash—a motor scooter rider sliding across the pavement without protection can suffer serious abrasions
- Neck injuries—neck injuries such as whiplash are common, especially when a motor scooter has been hit from behind.
Contact an Experienced Motor Scooter Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a motor scooter accident, you may need the help of an attorney with experience handling these types of cases. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we have over 30 years of experience helping Floridians injured in accidents. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.