Scooter and Moped Accident Lawyers Vero Beach
Vero Beach, FL
In the past, scooters and mopeds weren’t a common sight. Even when Vespas became popular, many people ignored them in favor of more traditional motorcycles, passenger vehicles, or even bikes. Yet with the advent of electric bikes, scooters, and other mobility devices, scooters and mopeds have become incredibly popular.
While scooters and mopeds are a cool way to zip around Florida’s Treasure Coast, they can also be dangerous – for the riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike. Many pedestrians and bikers worry about the potential for electric scooters to strike them on sidewalks – while e-scooter riders are concerned about careless drivers hitting them as they cross roads. If you have been involved in a scooter accident, our law firm can help you get the compensation that you deserve for your medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
Based in Vero Beach, the legal team of Gould Cooksey Fennell represents clients throughout the region who have been hurt in all types of accidents, including bike crashes, pedestrian accidents, and motorcycle accidents. We are also committed to helping people who have been injured in scooter accidents, working hard to get them maximum compensation for their losses. Reach out today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Florida scooter accident attorney.
Scooter Laws in Florida
In Florida, electric scooters and mopeds are both legal. However, some laws govern the use of these vehicles, which are categorized as micromobility devices, motorized scooters, and miniature motorcycles.
Anyone aged 16 or older can ride an electric scooter that is capable of speeds of up to 20 miles per hour (MPH) in Florida. You do not need a driver’s license to operate an e-scooter or moped. Importantly, local cities and towns may impose additional restrictions on the use and operation of e-scooters (including on the rental of these devices).
Scooter riders must follow the same rules of the road as bicyclists. They can be ridden on streets with a speed limit of 30 MPH or less and in bike lanes. You cannot ride electric scooters or mopeds on sidewalks in Florida – unless your city or town has created a regulation that permits it (often in designated areas).
When it comes to legal matters, you do not have to obtain insurance, register your e-scooter with the state, or obtain a license plate for it. This means that it is less expensive to operate an electric scooter or moped – but you won’t have coverage through your own insurance company if you are in an accident or crash into someone.
These laws reflect the acceptance of scooters and mopeds as a convenient, fun way to get around town. While they give scooter rides a fair bit of freedom, they may not go far enough when it comes to protecting others on the roads and sidewalks with them.
Common Scooter and Moped Injuries
While micromobility devices like e-scooters and mopeds are popular for a reason, they can also be incredibly dangerous. According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), injuries associated with these devices increased 21% from 2021 to 2022 – following an upward trend since 2017.
Many people who ride e-scooters don’t wear helmets or other safety gear. This can often lead to severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and even death. From 2017 to 2022, an estimated 233 people died in scooter accidents in the United States. Beyond catastrophic injuries, the CPSC found that broken bones (fractures), contusions, and abrasions are common injuries associated with e-scooters.
If you ride an electric scooter or moped, there are some simple safety precautions that you should take. This includes:
- Always wear a helmet
- Never operate a scooter under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Only ride with one person at a time on the scooter
- Use your bell or horn to alert others of your presence
- Ride slowly and stay aware of your surroundings (including uneven surfaces)
- Expect drivers and pedestrians to not see you, and operate your scooter accordingly
- Do not make unpredictable movements
Taking these steps can not protect scooter riders but the people around them. While a scooter/moped isn’t as big or as fast as a passenger vehicle, it can still cause serious injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. Using caution when operating a scooter is the best way to keep everyone safe.
Who May Be Responsible for a Scooter or Moped Accident?
If an e-scooter is involved in an accident, the responsibility for the crash will depend on who was at fault. For example, if a scooter/moped collides with a pedestrian on a sidewalk, then the scooter operator may be at fault. If a car strikes a scooter in a bike lane, then the driver will likely be responsible for any injuries.
Personal injury cases are usually based on a theory of negligence or carelessness. Legally, negligence is defined as the failure to use the level of care that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation. This can happen in any number of ways, such as riding on the sidewalk when not permitted or driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In some cases, a personal injury lawsuit is based on intentional or reckless conduct (such as intentionally driving into a pedestrian on the sidewalk).
If you were injured in a scooter or moped accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, you should also gather information at the accident scene, such as the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. You can also take photos and videos of the crash.
When you can, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation. During this appointment, your attorney will listen to your story and offer you legal advice. They may also offer you a ballpark estimate of the value of your case.
This estimate is based on the type and severity of losses that you suffered. In a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your property damage, medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, and disfigurement. In some cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages if the at-fault party acted intentionally or recklessly.
E-scooter accidents are unique because these devices do not have to be insured under Florida law. However, you may still be able to pursue a claim against the person who struck you, whether you are a scooter driver who was hit by a car or a pedestrian or bicyclist who was hit by an e-scooter. Reach out to Gould Cooksey Fennell today to set up a free consultation about your case.
Vero Beach E-Scooter Accident Attorneys
E-scooters are a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous. These motorized vehicles can cause harm – and they also don’t protect riders from accidents in the same way that a vehicle would. If you have been injured in a scooter or moped accident, we can help.
At Gould Cooksey Fennell, we understand the lure of electric scooters – along with the safety risks inherent in these devices. Our goal in each scooter accident case is to help our clients get the compensation that they deserve for their injuries. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with a Vero Beach scooter/moped accident lawyer, call our law offices at 772-231-1100 or fill out our online contact form.
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Notable CAR ACCIDENT Settlements and Verdicts
We’ve recovered over $150 million for our clients. These are real case results from real people who came to us for help. And we got them what they were owed.
Plaintiff was operating a small motorcycle/scooter when a 91 year old man turned left in front of him hitting him essentially head on. As a result of the collision, the Plaintiff sustained catastrophic injuries to his lower body, including snapped femurs and fractures to the spine and pelvis. After a two week trial the Indian River County jury returned an award totaling $9.381 million.
A Brevard County Jury awarded Plaintiff $6.4M against Defendant State Farm, following an accident that resulted in numerous catastrophic orthopedic injuries, including a below knee amputation of the Plaintiff’s left leg.
Plaintiff sustained numerous orthopedic injuries as a result of the negligence of a driver working for the State of Florida Department of Agriculture. At trial, the case resulted in a verdict of $5,582,776.82. Because the government’s damages are statutorily limited to $100,000 under Sovereign Immunity laws, Gould Cooksey Fennell’s Personal Injury Group was forced to fight in the Legislature for several years to pursue the passage of a Claims Bill. Ultimately a Bill was passed for 40 times the statutory limitations.
Indian River County crash resulting in significant injuries to a husband and wife. This matter was resolved prior to filing a lawsuit.
Obtained a Trial Verdict of $1.64 million dollars for injuries sustained by an 86 year old woman in a rollover auto accident on SR 60 in Vero Beach, Florida. After prolonged hospitalization, Mrs. Koebele never fully recovered and an Indian River County Jury awarded $1,170,130 for her injuries and $475,000 for her husband’s consortium claim.
Automobile crash in Vero Beach, FL resulting in cervical injury, including disc herniation to a 22 year old tennis professional.
While stopped at the intersection of US Hwy 1 and Vista Royale Boulevard, the Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck from behind with such force that the rear of his SUV was lifted off the ground and his vehicle slammed into the rear of the vehicle in front of him. As a result of the violent impact, Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to his cervical and lumbar spine. An Indian River County jury awarded the Plaintiff $1,487,412.99.
While stopped at the intersection of 43rd Ave and 8th Street, Plaintiff was rear-ended by the Defendant, launching her vehicle into another vehicle in front of her. Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to her right knee and cervical spine, both requiring surgical intervention in the years following the collision. After a nine day trial, an Indian River County jury returned an award of $1,259,090.73.
Indian River County jury awarded verdict against Defendant State Farm following an automobile accident where the defendant Driver was underinsured.
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