Motor Scooter Accidents and Injuries: What You Need to Know

accident attorney in Tampa FLOver the past several years, the use of motor scooters across the United States has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, so have the number of accidents resulting in serious injuries. A prime example is Dallas, where just in the past six months Baylor University Medical Center reported having seven injured scooter riders requiring major surgery. While such factors as failing to wear a helmet or obey basic safety rules sometimes play a role, many accidents involve motorists who are careless behind the wheel. If you were riding a motor scooter and sustained serious injuries, here are some important ways an accident attorney in Tampa FL at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore can help.

Document Your Injuries
If you are injured in a motor scooter accident, visit a doctor or hospital to have your injuries treated and documented in your medical records. The primary reason to do so? You will get the medical attention you need for a full recovery. The second reason? By doing so, it will be more difficult for insurance companies and others to claim you were not injured due to the accident.

Multiple Parties May be to Blame
If you were injured while using a motorized scooter from such services as Bird or Lime, there may be multiple parties at fault for your accident. For example, if a car hit you while you were riding the scooter, you may be able to sue not only the car’s driver (provided the driver was negligent), but the scooter company may have liability as well for, among other possible reasons, not providing safe scooters or failing to explain how to safely use the scooters.

Take Photos
If you can, try to take photos of your accident. Include not only your visible injuries, but also damage to the vehicle that hit you, any nearby property damage, and stop signs or traffic signals that may have been ignored by the driver.

Your attorney will discuss all of the factors with you and determine whether you have a good shot at recovering compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Schedule a consultation as soon as possible with an accident attorney in Tampa FL at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore.