When riding a VESPA or motor scooter on public roads, you still have all the same rights and responsibilities as any other motor vehicle driver. You may also have the right to file a lawsuit against anyone who acts carelessly or recklessly and causes a crash while you’re riding.
However, VESPA/motor scooter accidents in Bensalem can make for deceptively complicated civil claims. You need support from a renowned car accident attorney to get the best possible result from your case. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers know how to fight and win for people in your situation.
Are Motor Scooters Treated Like Motor Vehicles Under State Law?
“Motor-driven cycles”—the term Pennsylvania uses to refer to motor scooters—have numerous restrictions under state law that most other vehicles are not subject to. Unlike mopeds and electric bicycles, for example, motor scooters must be inspected by the Department of Motor Vehicles before their operators can take them out on public roads, and they are often restricted to having motors no larger than 50 CCs. Anyone who operates a motor scooter with a bigger motor may have their motor scooter reclassified as a motorcycle under Pennsylvania law, which could come with additional restrictions and licensing requirements.
Outside of these rules, though, anyone operating a motor scooter lawfully on public roads has a right to occupy the same space as any other motor vehicle; other drivers are expected to give motor scooters a safe amount of space while driving around them. Anyone who instead acts recklessly or carelessly around a motor scooter operator has “breached” their duty under Pennsylvania law to be responsible and law-abiding behind the wheel.
If a “breach of duty” is the main and direct cause of a motor scooter crash in Bensalem, that person may be considered legally “negligent.” As a local attorney can explain, proving “negligence” is the central component of most personal injury lawsuits, including those for motor scooter accidents.
Seeking Payment for All Accident-Related Losses
If you and your lawyer can prove that another person’s negligence directly led to you getting hurt in a VESPA/motor scooter accident in Bensalem, you can hold them liable to pay for all accident-related damages, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Psychological and emotional trauma
- Scooter repair or replacement costs, plus other personal property damage
- Lost work income or working ability
- Past and expected future medical expenses
It’s important to note that Pennsylvania law sets strict deadlines for filing these claims. Contacting a skilled Bensalem attorney as soon as possible after a VESPA or motor scooter crash is crucial to protecting your rights and best interests.
Get Help from a Bensalem Attorney After a VESPA/Motor Scooter Accident
As a motor scooter rider, you have a right to be treated fairly and given a safe amount of space on the road. If someone else fails to respect your rights and causes you serious harm, they should be the one to pay for the short-term and long-term effects of the accident, not you.
Working with experienced legal counsel can significantly boost your chances of getting a favorable case result following a VESPA/motor scooter accident in Bensalem. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to discuss your options. You won’t owe us anything until we win the compensation you deserve, so don’t hesitate to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
