San Diego may have capped the number of public bikes and scooters, but privately-owned Vespas and motor scooters continue to be a popular way to get around Balboa Park, Mission Beach, and many other parts of the city. The popularity of scooters, however, has been accompanied by an increase in scooter crashes and rider injuries.
The attorneys at CaseyGerry have adapted their expertise in motorcycle accident cases to help riders understand and protect their rights after they sustain injuries in Vespa/motor scooter accidents in San Diego. We use our experience to address arguments that scooter riders are reckless and present the details of each case clearly and effectively.
Negligent San Diego motorists who cause scooter accidents often argue that the rider bears part of the blame for a wreck because they were not following the law. You can easily overcome that argument by knowing and following the applicable laws.
You must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate a motorized or electric scooter on California roads. If the scooter’s engine has a bigger displacement than 50cc, you will need a Class M1 or M2 motorcycle license.
If you are younger than 18, you need to wear a helmet with a proper rating for the vehicle you are riding. Although not required, you should wear a helmet if you are older than 18 because head injuries are common in Vespa accidents.
You are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. You need to pay attention to all regular traffic laws, including speed limits, stoplights, and turning lanes. Do not under any circumstances operate a Vespa or motor scooter if you have been drinking alcohol or using other substances. Contact a knowledgeable attorney if you have questions about these or other scooter laws.
The responsibility for damages will always depend on the facts and evidence that are specific to the crash. Responsibility might also be spread among several parties, including:
In all cases, your San Diego attorney can analyze the facts of your case to determine whether another party’s negligence contributed to the accident and your injuries.
California’s comparative negligence laws allow injured Vespa or motor scooter riders to recover damages regardless of whether they were following applicable laws or were partially to blame for an accident. Your recovery will be reduced in proportion to your blame, even if you were more than 50 percent responsible.
If a motor scooter crash lawsuit goes to trial in San Diego, a jury will apportion the blame among the parties who were involved in the accident. An attorney who has extensive trial experience will be better able to present the facts of your case to convince juries that you bore little or no blame for the crash and any resulting injuries.
The legal team at CaseyGerry continues to build on the firm’s more than 75 years of experience in representing injured accident victims. We know how to navigate the aftermath of Vespa/motor scooter accidents in San Diego. If you retain our services, we could thoroughly investigate your crash to establish which parties bear liability. Our attorneys can investigate your crash, determine which parties may be liable, and guide you through the legal process. Contact CaseyGerry today to learn about your options.
