When we think of two-wheeled motor vehicles, we may first think about motorcycles. However, there is an increasing number of scooters on the roads in Fort Lauderdale and around South Florida. Scooters are economical to purchase, as well as to fuel. They are convenient for parking and storage and are better for the environment. Scooters provide many benefits of bicycles without the need to pedal and with the ability to travel faster.
A recent scooter accident in Davie demonstrates that riding a scooter in traffic can be dangerous, however. News reportsindicate that a man was stopped on his scooter on State Road 84 when a vehicle crashed into the rear end of the scooter. This impact caused the scooter to go crashing into another vehicle and the driver of the scooter was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Scooter riders often have little more than a helmet to protect them from 3,000-pound metal cars colliding into them, so it is no surprise that scooter accident injuries can be life-threatening or fatal. Whether you are seriously injured or have a family member who was killed on a scooter, you may have important legal rights and should have a skilled traffic accident lawyer evaluate your situation.
Rear-end Crashes are Particularly Dangerous for Two-Wheeled Vehicles
Four-wheeled cars and trucks have airbags, crumple zones, bumpers, and other protections in accidents and rear-end collisions are often considered to be relatively minor accidents. However, two-wheeled vehicles like scooters have no such protections, leaving victims almost completely exposed to an impact. Even the best helmets cannot even protect a victim from head trauma all of the time, so a scooter rider is still vulnerable to head and brain injuries, as well.
Unlike crashes between two cars, a rear-end collision involving a two-wheeled vehicle can be particularly dangerous. Cars are much heavier than scooters and an impact can cause the rider to fly off the vehicle or to crash into another vehicle, increasing the risk of multiple traumatic injuries. Common injuries resulting from rear-end scooter crashes can include:
Skull fractures
Brain injuries and hemorrhages
Facial, jaw, and dental injuries
Broken arms or legs
Crushed or shattered bones
Torn ligaments or tendons
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
A scooter rider will often get hit by the vehicle that crashed and then may hit another vehicle and/or land on the ground with force. This provides numerous opportunities to injure multiple parts of the body and, all too often, this can result in permanent disabilities or death.
Who was Liable?
After a serious scooter accident in Florida, perhaps the most important question to ask is was another person liable for the crash? No-fault PIP insurance laws in Florida do not apply to two-wheeled vehicles. Therefore, victims must seek compensation from any negligent parties that caused the crash.
The following are some examples of negligence that can cause scooter accidents:
Distracted driving
Impaired driving
Speeding
Tailgating
Other forms of aggressive driving
Cutting a scooter off during a lane change
Not checking blind spots
Failure to yield
Violating traffic signals or stop signs
Running a scooter off the road
If you determine that another driver was negligent, you have the right to file a claim with the driver’s liability insurance or to file a lawsuit in civil court.
The type of lawsuit you may file depends on the severity of the crash. For example:
If a crash caused serious injuries, you can file a personal injury claim to be compensated for your medical expenses, lost income, future financial losses, permanent impairments, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and more.
If a crash was fatal, the personal representative of the estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This claim can seek recovery for medical and funeral expenses, lost income the deceased would have earned, loss of services and support to the family, loss of companionship and guidance, and for pain and suffering if the deceased was a child. Any compensation obtained will be distributed to the deceased’s qualified family members including a spouse, children, parents, or other dependents.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Scooter Accident Lawyer for Assistance
The Law Office of Joseph J. LoRusso knows that scooter and motorcycle accidents can be devastating for both accident victims and their families. We can evaluate whether you have the right to take action and if so, can handle insurance claims, personal injury claims, or wrongful death claims when needed. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries, please call 954-715-3260 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.
