If you recently bought a Vespa or another motor scooter, you want to learn how to stay safe while riding and what laws you need to follow. This type of transportation has provided a lot of fun for a lot of people.
As economical and enjoyable as Vespas and other motor scooters are, they do not offer much protection if a motorist crashes into you. Vespa/motor scooter accidents in Inverness happen, and you should know what steps to take if one happens to you. Our seasoned attorneys are ready to guide you through the legal process.
What Is a Motor Scooter?
While many states differentiate between motor scooters and motorcycles because of the size of their engines, Florida does not. Vespas and other motor scooters with motors having more than two brake horsepower (BHP) are treated like motorcycles under Florida Statutes Chapter 322. However, mopeds, which are limited to 2 BHP or less, and motorized bicycles are excluded from the state’s definition of motorcycles.
State Motor Scooter Laws
Florida legislators have tweaked statutes over time because the popularity of motor scooters and motorcycles has meant accidents are also on the rise. To help lessen the number of accidents, Florida requires:
- Motor scooter riders must have a valid Florida driver’s license
- Riders are not permitted in bicycle lanes
- Riders are not permitted to ride on sidewalks
- If a rider is younger than 16, they must wear a helmet
- Insurance is not mandatory for motor scooter riders, although it is recommended
- Riders are not permitted to access interstates or highways if the motor is under 5 BHP, or the rider cannot maintain a speed of 40 miles per hour
Motor scooter accidents are often deadly due to their small size compared to larger vehicles sharing the road. Riders hurt in a motor scooter collision in Inverness should contact a knowledgeable attorney who can work to get the compensation they need.
Negligence and Compensation
Careless motorists who slam into a Vespa or motor scooter, injuring the rider, should pay for what they have done. Florida is a no-fault state for insurance, but scooter riders are not required to carry insurance. Our attorneys could negotiate with the motorist’s insurance company to secure money for medical care, rehabilitation, wages lost while recovering, and the replacement or repair cost of the scooter. A settlement could also include emotional trauma caused by ongoing pain or the knowledge that disfigurement may be lifelong.
If a lawsuit is the best solution, our attorneys fight to get the most for our clients because we care about their future. An attorney must prove the motorist had a duty to drive responsibly but did not and the negligent behavior caused an accident that injured the motor scooter rider. We take Inverness Vespa/motor scooter crashes seriously and never hand our clients off to a case manager.
Contact Us About Motor Scooter Accidents in Inverness
If you are injured by a negligent driver while riding responsibly, our attorneys can fight to get you the compensation you need to pay for your recovery, replace your wages, and place a value on your mental anguish.
We are dedicated to helping clients when a negligent motorist causes catastrophic injuries. Call Largey Law Firm to discuss your Vespa/motor scooter accident in Inverness and how we can help you.
