Scooters are not permitted on freeways but they are allowed to be ridden on most other roads in most states throughout the country. They are subject to the same rules as any other vehicle.
This means they have to give way at intersections, yield at red lights and pay attention when merging into traffic when entering a road from a side road. Typically, this probably isn’t normally a problem.
What could be a problem is when a larger vehicle is merging into traffic and fails to see the smaller scooter. This could cause a devastating accident with severe damage to the scooter and serious injury to the rider.
If this has happened to you and the accident wasn’t your fault you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim from the driver who caused the accident. The whole process may be a lot easier if you talk to a personal injury attorney first.
Damages That You May Incur When Hit By a Merging Car
There are a number of things you may be able to claim for in an accident when your scooter was hit by a merging car. These could include some or all of the following economic damages:
- the cost of repairing your scooter;
- the cost of medical treatment at the time of the accident and into the future;
- loss of wages while you are recovering.
You may also be entitled to non-economic damages which could be for:
- the pain and suffering you have had to endure;
- punitive damages if the scooter accident was caused deliberately by the car driver.
Determining Fault When a Scooter is Hit in a Merging Accident
Trying to prove who caused the accident when the car was merging at the same time that you were passing is never that easy. You may be asked to provide eyewitness’s names and addresses, a police report showing that the accident was the car driver’s fault and that any damage or injury to yourself was caused in that particular accident.
Damage to your scooter and the other vehicle involved may also help determine who was at fault. The insurer will want all the evidence to be sound before any money is released for your personal injury claim. All this has to be done within the statute of limitations set by your state. If your claim is filed after this date, you may not be entitled to any compensation at all.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A personal injury lawyer knows how strict insurance adjusters are and that they will find any excuse for not funding your PI claim. This is why it’s so important to seek help from a personal injury lawyer who should know if the evidence you have is sufficient to win the compensation you deserve. To get your claim started, fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page and speak with a lawyer today!
