Scooters are a convenient, affordable way for many people to get around Gainesville. However, according to WUFT News, an affiliate of National Public Radio (NPR), scooter accidents are on the rise in Gainesville, resulting in over 90 accidents in 2018.
Motorists must remain aware of scooters at all times, and give the space necessary for scooter riders to remain safe. When a motorist fails to do this, they may become financially responsible for any injuries that they cause a scooter rider.
If you or your loved one suffered injuries as a scooter rider, then a Gainesville personal injury lawyer will manage your case. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation.
Scooter Riders Are at an Increased Risk of Injury
AAA notes that, in Florida, scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and operate their scooter with care when sharing the roadway with other vehicles. Scooter riders must either keep up with the speed of traffic or ride their scooter on the sidewalk.
While scooter riders must do their part to keep themselves safe, other motorists must also uphold their duty of care as well. There are several design features that make a scooter rider susceptible to serious injuries when a collision occurs.
Those features include:
- No external protective barrier
- No airbags
- No windshield
- No seatbelt
When an accident occurs, a scooter rider is directly exposed to the impact of the crash. For this reason, motorists must exercise extreme caution when driving in the presence of scooter riders, or face legal consequences for the damages they cause.
How Motorists May Avoid Scooter Accidents
Every motorist on today’s public roads has a civic duty of care, meaning that they must take necessary precautions to prevent an accident from happening. If a motorist strikes a scooter rider because they did not uphold their duty of care, then they can be held financially liable for any resulting damages.
A scooter rider may be comparable to a motorcyclist in terms of exposure during a motor vehicle accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries occur in 80% of all motorcycle collisions. Such rates may be similar for scooter accidents.
Motorists must take extra caution to avoid collisions with scooter riders.
Some precautions that are expected of motorists include:
- Being vigilant for smaller motor vehicles, such as scooters and motorcycles
- Maintaining a safe distance from scooter riders
- Using turn signals
- Checking blind spots and intersections thoroughly before changing lanes or making a turn
- Maintaining a safe driving speed
- Refraining from distracted and impaired driving
If you or a loved one was injured as a scooter rider and you believe that another party was at fault, then speaking with the team of a Gainesville scooter accident lawyer could be helpful.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation.
Determining the Cause of Your Accident-Related Losses
Your lawyer will review the facts and evidence that pertain to your accident. During their investigation, they may determine the cause of your accident. From there, they will be able to assign fault and liability for your damages. Your lawyer will need to examine the role of the other motorist in your accident to learn more about your case.
Some of the ways that another motorist may directly cause an accident include:
- Speeding
- Veering into your lane
- Texting while driving
- Taking photographs or videos while driving
- Making a dangerous turn
- Driving on parts of the road (like the median) where doing so is illegal or dangerous
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Failing to use headlights when necessary
- Failing to secure items inside or outside of their vehicle
Yet, while reviewing the evidence in your case, your lawyer may find that more than one party was responsible for your accident. For instance, a government municipality, university, employer, auto parts or automotive manufacturer, or mechanic could be responsible in some way for your losses.
Once your lawyer determines each of the parties responsible for your accident, they will pursue compensation for your losses.
How a Lawyer Will Pursue Financial Recovery
When you partner with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we will do everything in our power to recover compensation for you or a loved one injured in a scooter accident. While working to secure financial recovery on your behalf, we will provide advice and defend your legal rights. We will also complete several specific tasks in the service of your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Some duties that your lawyer may perform include:
- Consulting with health care professionals and accident reconstruction specialists
- Interviewing witnesses
- Acquiring evidence of your accident, including traffic camera footage
- Calculating the value of your accident-related losses
- Filing your claim or lawsuit
- Handling all claim and lawsuit-related communications
- Negotiating a settlement
- Completing a trial, if necessary
Your case may not need to go to trial. In fact, according to the American Bar Association, most personal injury cases do not go to court. If a lawsuit proves necessary, however, then your lawyer will argue your case.
If you are able to secure compensation for your losses, then your awards may cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Lowered earning capacity
- Property damage costs
- Disability
- Disfigurement
Consider hiring a lawyer to pursue compensation for losses caused by a scooter accident.
Learn More About Your Financial Recovery Options
Serious injuries can prevent you from working and engaging in basic day-to-day activities. Hiring a Gainesville scooter accident lawyer will allow you to seek fair compensation while you deal with the aftermath of the collision.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today. We can be reached.
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