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Scooters are smart transportation options for people who need compact, affordable vehicles to get around crowded cities. As with all vehicles, accidents can happen, but scooter riders are especially vulnerable due to their lack of protection.
Reckless scooter riders can also pose a danger to pedestrians. If you have been hurt in a scooter accident that wasn’t your fault, whether as a rider or bystander, you deserve compensation for your injuries. A Fort Myers scooter accident lawyer can help.
At Viles & Beckman, our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers have recovered over $100 million for injured accident victims since 1995. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Causes of Scooter Accidents
Scooter accidents can occur in an almost infinite number of ways. Here are some of the most common causes in Fort Myers.
- Excessive speed and reckless driving: Scooter operators who drive too fast or take chances can injure themselves or others.
- Other motorists: Car and truck drivers may strike scooter riders when they are not paying attention.
- Highway operation: Scooters are usually not appropriate for highways, where serious accidents and injuries can occur.
- Sidewalk operation: If scooters are allowed on sidewalks, riders must be especially careful not to strike pedestrians.
- Poorly maintained roadways: Potholes and breaks in the asphalt can cause scooter riders to lose their balance and crash.
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What to Do If You Are in a Scooter Accident in Fort Myers
If you are in a scooter accident, there are important steps you can take to preserve your rights and your health. Unfortunately, motorized scooters can cause severe injuries to riders, pedestrians, and other road occupants.
- Call emergency services. Even though motorized scooters usually do not surpass 30 mph, they still can cause severe injuries to victims. If you were in a scooter accident in Fort Myers, the guidance of a skilled attorney can protect your right to pursue damages.
- Gather evidence at the accident site. If you can move around after a scooter accident, you can use your cell phone to take pictures or videos of the accident, the scooter, your injuries, and any other relevant aspect, such as a pedestrian crosswalk or a hole in the sidewalk.
- Collect contact information. You can also ask for eyewitnesses and the liable party’s contact information. That will later help your Fort Myers scooter attorney to interview key witnesses and send citations to the responsible parties.
- Talk to an attorney: If you are in a scooter accident, the liable party’s insurance company may intervene, but their main interest is to close your case with the smallest possible compensation. Immediately hiring an attorney can prevent you from a bad settlement.
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How Much Is a Scooter Accident Case Worth in Fort Myers?
A Fort Myers scooter accident can cause many types of damage. Your Fort Myers scooter accident lawyer will review your case to determine its worth. Most scooter accident claims are for compensatory damages, which means economic and non-economic damages.
In cases where extreme negligence is present, punitive damages can also be recovered. However, that is a decision only a jury or judge can make, so there is no way to know how much punitive damages are worth.
The most common compensatory damages in scooter accidents include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Future medical costs
- Drug therapy
- Surgeries
- Lost wages
- Damage to property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Click To ContactCommon Injuries in Fort Myers Scooter Accidents
Pedestrians and scooter riders are often the main victims of scooter accidents. Some of the most common injuries in Fort Myers scooter accidents are:
- Broken bones: Scooter accident victims may suffer fractures, particularly in arms, wrists, ankles, or fingers.
- Head injuries: Scooter accidents can devastate a victim, even at low speeds, since they can cause severe damage, such as traumatic brain injury.
- Road rash: Falling from a scooter or being hit by one can cause a victim to hit the ground and suffer road rash and abrasions, which occur when the skin scrapes against the road or other rough surfaces.
- Cuts and lacerations: Scooters can cause a variety of cuts and bruises because of the hard materials they are usually made of. These injuries affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons and cause pain and limited mobility.
- Spinal cord injuries: Most severe scooter accidents can throw a victim a few meters away and expose them to greater damage, such as a spinal cord injury, which can cause temporary or permanent paralysis and affect a victim’s life and earning capacity.
- Facial injuries: Scooter accidents can also cause facial injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries, which can have severe physical and emotional consequences on someone’s life.
There are many ways someone can get hurt in a scooter accident. Talking to an experienced Fort Myers scooter accident attorney can help you determine the impact of your injury and what damages you can pursue.
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Scooter Accident Laws in Fort Myers
Due to the increased number of motorized scooter accidents, Florida has specific laws and regulations for these vehicles. Here are some key points about riding a motorized scooter in Florida.
- Definition of motorized scooters: Under Florida law, a scooter is any motorized vehicle without a seat or saddle with no more than three wheels capable of propelling at a maximum of 30 mph.
- Driver’s license requirements: To operate a motorized scooter on public roads, drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
- Safety equipment: A motorized scooter must have a headlight, taillight, and brake light, and drivers should wear bicycle helmets while riding it.
- Rules of operation: Scooter drivers must ride as close to the right lane as possible and avoid high-speed roads and highways, particularly when no bike lane is available. Scooter drivers should also obey transit rules and traffic lights.
- Sidewalk riding: Motorized scooters are usually not allowed to operate on sidewalks. However, local ordinances can allow them to use a pedestrian way under certain conditions.
- Impaired scooter riding: It is illegal to operate a motorized scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Scooter operators can be subject to the same penalties and consequences as car drivers for DUI.
Talk to a Fort Myers Scooter Accident Lawyer
If you were the victim of a scooter accident in Fort Myers, there are many things you need to consider. The most important recommendation is to get a legal representative as soon as possible. Your attorney can build a strong case while you recover from injuries.
A scooter accident lawyer in Fort Myers can help you greatly if you suffer a scooter accident. Scooters are trending in Florida, and other cities around the US, and scooter accidents have spiked in recent years.
At Viles & Beckman, our team has over 40 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, during which we can discuss your legal options.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
