Vespa or motor scooters are fuel-efficient and can help you maneuver through traffic. They offer reliable and affordable transportation at a lower price point than most other vehicles.
However, they have a significant disadvantage compared to cars and trucks—they are more dangerous in an accident. Motor scooters do not have the same protections as other vehicles. They lack the rigid frame, seat belts, and airbags that help protect drivers and passengers.
If you are in a scooter collision, you may have substantial injuries that require time away from work and may interfere with your ability to earn a wage. You may also suffer from intangible injuries like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and more. A lawyer can help you after a Vespa/motor scooter accident in Mankato. Call our law office today to speak to an experienced bike wreck attorney.
People use the term scooter to describe all types of motorized and non-motorized vehicles. A few different types of vehicles may be involved in scooter accidents.
The first is a motorized foot scooter. The state defines those as devices with handlebars, which the operator sits or stands upon, with an internal combustion engine, two wheels, and a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. These devices are not considered to be motorized bicycles, motorcycles, or other types of vehicles.
The law treats motorized foot scooters and their drivers essentially like pedestrians or cyclists. Legally, the operators have the same rights and responsibilities as bicyclists. They should use them on the street, on bike lanes, or on bike trails.
The other type of scooter is a two-wheeled sit-on vehicle. Legally, the state might classify them as mopeds or motorcycles. Generally, two-wheeled vehicles are motorcycles unless their engines—and maximum speed—are low enough that they are mopeds.
Vespa is a particular brand of two-wheeled vehicle. Mopeds and scooters may be classified as a Vespa. Mopeds have an engine capacity of less than 50cc and usually have a top speed of under 30 miles per hour.
Scooters have an engine capacity of over 50 cc and can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Their engine capacity can be up to 300cc, with a maximum speed of 80 miles per hour.
Some of these vehicles can be large enough to be street legal on all streets, where they are treated like passenger vehicles or motorcycles in terms of the law. A Mankato lawyer can help identify the laws that pertain to a particular Vespa or motor scooter crash.
Like any other motorist, scooter operators can be at risk because of negligence on the road. Some behaviors and actions that can contribute to a wreck include the following:
Scooter operators are also vulnerable to other hazards. Any type of defect in the road, like an uneven surface or potholes, can cause a scooter operator to lose their balance. These road defects can cause an accident or leave scooter operators vulnerable to others. When a Vespa or motor scooter wreck occurs, a Mankato lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
If you are in a Vespa/Motor Scooter accident in Mankato, a lawyer may be able to help establish the elements of negligence. They can show that the other driver owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty, and that the breach led to your injuries.
Schedule a meeting today to learn what a dedicated personal injury attorney can do for you.