VESPAs and other small scooters have become an increasingly popular way of traveling around town. With their impressive gas efficiency and substantial mobility, many people have chosen these vehicles as a way to get to work or run errands. Unfortunately, sharing the road with other vehicles while on a scooter comes with significant risks. Collisions between VESPAs and other vehicles can result in serious injuries, which often require extensive medical attention and impact a person’s quality of life and ability to earn a living.
If you were involved in a VESPA/motor scooter accident in Olive Branch, we can help you seek the compensation you need to set things right. This can include taking the lead in filing insurance claims and bringing cases to court on your behalf. Contact the Law Office of David E. Gordon to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to learn more.
Protections for Motor Scooter Drivers
A general concept under Mississippi law states that motorists assume a duty of care to keep others safe whenever they get behind the wheel. This involves following traffic regulations as well as maintaining their attention on the road to not cause any unnecessary risk of harm. Their duty extends to pedestrians, cyclists, trucks, motorized scooters, and all other travelers on the road.
Because VESPAs and other scooters are road-legal, their riders enjoy the same protections as all other motorists. As a result, a driver who is speeding, fails to yield, or is on their cell phone while driving is just as liable to provide compensation to injured scooter riders as anyone else they harm in an accident
However, even if it is clear that another driver was responsible for an incident that resulted in an injury, a case may still fail if a scooter driver does not act quickly. Mississippi Code Annotated § 15-1-49 creates the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In short, this law gives people no more than three years from the date of an injury to demand compensation. Retaining skilled legal representation in Olive Branch can help injured parties to better understand the laws that affect their rights after becoming involved in a motor scooter collision.
Types of Recovery After a VESPA Accident
Collisions between motor scooters and other vehicles can result in catastrophic losses. Scooter riders enjoy little protection beyond their own gear, and merely falling to the pavement can result in life-altering injuries. It is not uncommon for people to experience broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, friction burns, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and sadly even wrongful death.
The core of a claim for compensation will focus on the costs of medical care tied to these injuries as well as estimated future treatment. This can include an ambulance ride, emergency room care, surgery, rehabilitation, and more.
In many instances, physical injuries may not be the only way an incident impacts a person’s life. Many individuals find that they are experiencing emotional traumas connected to the crash. These can include nightmares, flashbacks, or anxiety. In addition, the incident may leave a person unable to return to work. Drivers who are at fault for accidents are liable for compensation to injured parties for lost quality of life, psychological damage, and missing income connected to their negligence. David E. Gordon can help VESPA and scooter riders to demand this compensation from at-fault motorists after an Olive Branch wreck.
Let Us Help You After Your Olive Branch VESPA/Motor Scooter Accident
Accidents that occur while riding a VESPA or other form of personal scooter can result in severe losses. However, it is only possible to collect compensation for your losses if you can prove that another driver was liable for the crash. The Law Offices of David E. Gordon can help with this process. This includes explaining the relevant laws, obtaining evidence concerning the crash, and measuring how the incident has impacted your life. If you were involved in a VESPA/ motor scooter accident in Olive Branch, reach out today to schedule a free consultation to get started.
