VESPA/Motor Scooter Accidents in Thornton
Although mopeds and other types of electric scooters are becoming more popular in recent years, there is an unfortunate lack of respect from other motor vehicle drivers sometimes towards riders. Because motor scooters lack any sort of external protection, impact from another vehicle makes drivers especially susceptible to suffering serious or life-threatening injuries in collisions.
Obtaining fair financial compensation after VESPA/motor scooter accidents in Thornton can be challenging without support from a qualified local attorney. If you were hurt while riding a moped because of someone else’s careless actions, dedicated legal counsel can assess your case and advise you of your legal options.
Possible Damages in Moped Accidents
Most motor scooters have a relatively slow top speed, which may entice riders to be less careful about wearing personal protective gear like helmets, padded clothing, and riding-appropriate gloves and boots. In addition, most electric scooters lack safety features such as airbags and seatbelts, causing the possibility of serious injury to increase significantly. Some examples of the injuries possible in a moped accident include:
- Lacerations, bruises, and/or severe road rash
- Multiple bone fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Severe head trauma resulting in permanent brain damage
- Spinal cord damage causing paralysis
- Limb amputation
- Degloving injuries
It is important to note that the fact a moped operator or rider was not wearing certain safety equipment cannot be held against them as comparative fault for their injuries during a civil lawsuit or settlement demand. With that in mind, a moped rider who can prove someone else was directly liable for a VESPA/motor scooter crash in Thornton could potentially recover the total value of their ensuing losses. This may include compensation for medical expenses, lost work income and/or earning ability, damage to their scooter, physical pain, and various forms of emotional/psychological anguish including lost enjoyment of life.
If an accident like this leads to a scooter operator or rider’s premature death, surviving family members may be eligible to recover their losses through wrongful death litigation. A qualified local attorney could explain available options in as much detail as necessary during a confidential consultation.
Proving a Motor Vehicle Driver’s Negligence
Despite motor scooter riders being at far greater risk of severe harm in an accident compared to motor vehicle drivers, that does not mean motor vehicle drivers are automatically held responsible for ensuing damages in such cases. It is only possible to recover compensation after a Thornton VESPA/motor scooter accident if the injured rider can prove negligence by the vehicle driver who hit them.
In practice, this often means proving that the driver of the car violated a traffic law in a way that directly led to the collision in question, such as failing to heed a stop light and hitting a scooter rider in an intersection as a result. In other situations, negligence may take the form of a broadly careless act like driving while distracted or tired. A dedicated attorney could help a scooter driver determine the liable party in a collision and pursue damages from those responsible.
Contact a Thornton Attorney for Help After a VESPA/Motor Scooter Accident
Getting a favorable result from a civil claim based on a scooter accident can be a uniquely challenging process. This is especially true if you are unaware of the legal complexities involved with filing a lawsuit.
Guidance from a capable legal professional could be vital in getting you the financial compensation you deserve following a VESPA/motor scooter accident in Thornton. Learn more by calling today.