A motor scooter or Vespa provides a convenient and fun source of transportation for many. Yet those who own these vehicles and ride them frequently are just as vulnerable to accidents as bike and motorcycle riders. If you own this specific type of vehicle and was hit recently by a car or truck, contact a Washington DC Vespa/motor scooter accident lawyer.
A competent attorney who routinely represents clients in motor scooter-related personal injury cases understands the trauma these types of accidents can cause and wants to help as much as possible. By trusting your claim to a legal professional, you are showing the individual who hit you that your injuries are serious and should be taken as such. The damages you could win would likely cover all healthcare expenses related to the case, including physical therapy and trauma counseling. Call Gelb & Gelb, P.C. to learn more about your rights and options for compensation.
As personal mobility devices, scooters and Vespas are not considered vehicles; however, they cannot be operated by anyone under 16 years old. Riders are not required to wear helmets in D.C., though helmets are recommended for anyone on a scooter, Vespa, bike, or motorcycle. Personal mobility devices are allowed in bike lanes and on sidewalks, though sidewalk riding is not permitted in the Central Business District.
D.C. laws also state that scooter and Vespa drivers do not require licenses or insurance to operate their vehicles, but must obey all applicable traffic laws. They must also refrain from riding over 10 miles an hour and are encouraged to use both hands while operating their vehicles. Individuals who follow these rules but still get in accidents should speak with motor scooter attorneys as soon as possible.
Personal mobility device riders who get struck by other vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles, can sustain a wide variety of serious injuries. Among the most common forms of physical harm include:
Depending on the nature of the accident, scooter and Vespa accidents can also have fatal consequences and require surviving family members to file wrongful death claims with legal professional assistance.
Washington, D.C. uses the harshest negligence rules to establish fault in personal injury cases: contributory negligence. Unlike comparative negligence variations that allow plaintiffs to collect damages the majority of the time, contributory negligence does not support compensation even if a plaintiff is 1 or 2 percent at fault. For example, say a Vespa rider was not wearing a helmet and riding in a bike lane going 30 miles per hour. The rider swerved into oncoming traffic because they were going too fast and could not react in time, resulting in a collision with a car. Because the rider was driving over the speed limit and lost control, they would probably not receive compensation for their injuries.
Conversely, if that rider obeyed all traffic laws but was hit by a drunken driver, their legal representative would request numerous personal injury damages, including those covering emergency and ongoing medical care, physical therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
If you were recently injured in a personal mobility device accident, contact a Washington, D.C. Vespa/motor scooter accident lawyer today. Our firm remains dedicated to helping riders on two and three wheels receive compensation for injuries they experience on the road. Roger Gelb will fight hard for you from case start to finish, so do not hesitate to call. Reach out today to learn what we can do for you.
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