Scooter Accidents Are More Common Than You Think In Florida

A major scooter accident is increasingly common throughout our region. Throughout Sarasota, Sanibel, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Marco Island, Punta Gorda, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Sarasota Beach, scooters are popular. For recreation and a mode of transportation to commute to and from work, scooters are a daily part of life here.

Along with the larger number of scooters on our roads comes the increase in scooter accidents. Scooter crashes are very dangerous, and the small vehicle stands no chance against autos and larger vehicles. Moreover, the much smaller scooter offers no protection for the rider, and in a collision, a serious injury is almost always the result.

Scooter Accident Law Can Be Confusing

In Florida, a conventional motor scooter is a motor vehicle. Motor scooter accident law can be confusing, however, because certain scooters are considered motorcycles, depending on the engine size (measured by cubic centimeters “cc”) and speed capability.

For example, scooters which exceed 50 cc engines are considered motorcycles under the law. Scooters with 51 cc engines are often capable of traveling up to 40 miles per hour or more, and require a motorcycle endorsement on the driver’s license. For smaller scooters, riders must have a standard driver’s license or higher when operating this motor vehicle on the public roads.

Always remember, the rider always loses in a scooter accident with a car or truck.

Riders Must Think Like Motorcyclists to Avoid a Scooter Accident

While many motor scooters have limited speed, these vehicles present dangers to riders on roads having higher speed limits. This is one of the factors scooter riders must consider when riding safely to avoid a scooter accident.

Just like many motorcycle riders, motor scooter operators must follow some basic safety measures to reduce the risk of a scooter accident injury:

• Make sure you have the correct driver’s license which corresponds to your scooter engine size.
• Drivers of cars, SUVs, and trucks often fail to share the road, endangering scooter riders.
• Blind spots of cars and trucks are danger zones for scooters.
• Wear a helmet while riding.
• Make sure your headlight, taillight, and blinkers are in good working condition.
• Check your mirrors often to view traffic behind you and on your sides to be able to react quickly to other drivers’ actions.
• Scooter rider clothing which is reflective is best so motorists can easily see you.

Aggressive Drivers and Careless Motorists Cause Scooter Accident

Many drivers take aggressive action because scooters are slower vehicles. Aggressive driving toward scooters can include tailgating, speeding, attempted passing which is close to the scooter, and drivers cutting in front of the scooter. Such actions increase the risk of a major scooter accident.

On our roads today, particularly during the morning rush or evening commute, drivers of cars, mini vans, and trucks, are not known for their patience, courtesy, or attention to traffic conditions. Inattention and distraction are among the top causes of serious auto accidents, and often the cause of a scooter crash is because of the same types of negligence.

When getting on your scooter to ride on public roads, you should always understand that other motorists are not necessarily pleased to share the road with your scooter. Because scooters are slower than other motor vehicles, the fact is that many cars try to pass the scooter. Unfortunately, many of these drivers do not have driving skills to match their ambition in getting past you, and a scooter accident results.

Compensation for You After a Scooter Accident

More often than not, a scooter scooter accident in Southwest Florida is the fault of the driver of a larger vehicle who was not paying attention, failed to yield, or did not share the road with the motor scooter rider. These crashes are preventable through simply following the rules of the road.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a scooter accident, then contact expert Sarasota accident lawyer David Harris. David serves seriously injured persons, and not insurance companies.

If David accepts your case, then from day one you will experience personal service, understanding, and David’s drive to obtain maximum money damages compensation for your harms and losses from the other driver and insurance companies. You will never have to chase David down to talk or worry that you or your needs will be ignored. You receive real responses to your calls and questions from David.

Free consultations for scooter accident injury victims are available. Just use our easy contact form or call.