Many local residents enjoy riding mopeds to run errands or commute to work. Scooters are fun, practical, and relatively cheap. However, one downside of these vehicles is that Vespas and other motorized scooters do not offer much protection in a crash. Additionally, car drivers do not pay enough attention to mopeds. These factors combine to result in many moped accidents around Marietta. Scooter collisions are dangerous and frequently cause severe injuries.
If you were hurt in a Vespa or motor scooter accident in Marietta, you should consult a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer about seeking compensation. You might be entitled to reimbursement for lost wages, property damage, or pain and suffering. An experienced attorney could help you get started on your claim.
Negligence Leads to Scooter Accidents
Scooters are smaller, narrower, and lower to the ground than any standard car. Drivers can easily lose track of a moped on the road, which might result in a crash. Scooter accidents occur in the same ways as motorcycle accidents. The driver of another vehicle might:
- Open the driver’s side door into the moped’s path
- Turn right without seeing the scooter, blocking its route or forcing it off the road
- Turn left without yielding to the oncoming scooter
- Merge or change lanes into the path of the moped
- Rear-end the scooter while stopping at a light
- Back up into the scooter
- Pull into traffic without yielding to the moped
If another driver’s recklessness contributes to a crash, the negligent motorist’s insurance provider becomes financially responsible for any injuries sustained in the collision. If the careless driver’s policy does not offer enough coverage to pay for the moped rider’s damages, the driver is personally liable. An experienced Marietta attorney could protect a wounded moped rider’s legal rights and help them prove a driver’s carelessness.
A Rider’s Negligence Impacts Potential Damages
Many road and highway accidents are caused by a combination of factors, including an injured plaintiff’s negligence. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-12-33 explains that a careless plaintiff could collect damages from other negligent parties as long as they are not more than 49 percent responsible for the collision. Moped or Vespa riders who are at least 50 percent at fault for the accident or their injuries cannot receive compensation.
A scooter rider could be considered negligent if they fail to obey all applicable traffic laws. Georgia policy treats mopeds like motorcycles, so a rider must have a Class M license, wear a helmet, and refrain from dangerous practices like lane splitting or lane filtering.
A negligent party is responsible for the percentage of the damages that their behavior caused. The insurance companies that represent negligent drivers will discuss the specifics of the accident and reach a compromise on how to apportion the guilt. If a case goes to trial, a jury will assess the collision and split responsibility for the crash between multiple parties. A skilled Marietta lawyer could fight to ensure that an injured person does assume unfair responsibility for a motor scooter accident.
Seek Legal Representation Immediately
If an injured Vespa or scooter rider wishes to avoid a lawsuit, they should pursue legal counsel immediately after an accident. A manipulative insurance provider might try to take advantage of an unrepresented rider and force them to settle for less damages than they deserve.
The statute of limitations also encourages riders to meet with a lawyer right away. Injured motorists have two years to file a claim but delaying gives an attorney less time to compile evidence, interview witnesses, and build a persuasive case.
In some specific instances, the State or a local government bears some responsibility for a scooter accident. In these situations, the injured rider must notify the relevant government agency before they file a claim. The Georgia government gives injured motorists a year to submit this notice, but city administrations might require the wounded rider to file a notice within six months of their injury.
Contact a Skilled Marietta Attorney About Your Moped Accident Case
If you were hurt in a Vespa or motor scooter accident in Marietta, you are likely recovering from severe physical and emotional trauma. An experienced lawyer could fight for you by compiling evidence about your collision and helping you file a claim.
Contacting a knowledgeable attorney immediately after a crash could boost your chances of recovering damages. Call us today to get started on your case.