Road accident with motor scooter

Scooters come in a wide variety of types. They can be push or pedal scooters, mopeds, or maybe one of the electric scooters that have become popular with ridesharing companies such as Lime and Bird. Regardless of the type of scooter, riders can face significant risks of injury if they get into a crash. If you were hurt while riding a scooter, and someone else is at fault, a scooter accident lawyer at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can help.

Attorney R. Alan Cleveland has decades of experience litigating for the rights of injury victims in Athens and throughout Georgia. When you choose our firm to represent you after a scooter accident, you can trust that we will do whatever it takes to pursue the best possible result, even if that means taking your case to trial.

If you have been injured in an accident on your scooter because of the negligence of a driver or other party, do not wait to seek the legal representation you need. Reach out to an Athens scooter injury lawyer from R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.

Common Causes of Scooter Accidents in Athens

Some of the most frequent causes of scooter accidents in Athens include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving, especially texting or emailing while at the wheel
  • Drowsy or fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
  • Reckless driving, such as speeding, street racing, or swerving in and out of traffic
  • Disregarding red lights, stop signs, or other traffic controls
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Unsafe turns and lane changes due to failure to signal or to check mirrors and blind spots
  • Inadequate maintenance
  • Vehicle design or manufacturing defects
  • Unsafe road or intersection design

Common Injuries from Scooter Accidents

Because scooter riders have no protection other than possibly a helmet and shoulder or knee pads, they often suffer serious physical injuries in accidents. Common injuries that riders can suffer in crashes on their scooters include:

Georgia’s Scooter Laws

Georgia state law governs the use of motorized scooters and divides them into two categories. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1(28), a “moped” is defined as a motor-driven cycle with two or three wheels, which may or may not be designed to also be foot-propelled, with an independent power source providing up to 2 horsepower, and if powered by an internal combustion engine, with an engine displacement of up to 50 cubic centimeters.

Moped transmissions must operate automatically, without requiring clutching or shifting by the operator. Mopeds may not accelerate faster than 30 mph on level ground. So, they can be operated only on roads with a minimum speed limit of 30 mph or less.

Section 40-6-351 further restricts persons under the age of 15 from operating a moped. Moped operators must also possess a driver’s license, instructional permit, or limited permit. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-352, anyone riding a moped must wear protective headgear that complies with standards set by the Georgia Commissioner of Public Safety. Moped riders can also wear a motorcycle helmet to comply with this requirement.

Scooters with more than 2 horsepower or an internal combustion engine displacement of more than 50 cubic centimeters are considered motorcycles under Georgia law. So, they are subject to the same registration, licensing, and insurance requirements as motorcycles. In other words, they must register the moped with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, obtain a motorcycle license, and have an insurance policy that provides at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 of property damage liability coverage.

Electric scooters, such as those provided by scooter rideshare companies, may not be ridden on sidewalks in many municipalities. Instead, they must be operated either on the road in the right-hand lane, or in a designated bike lane (if one is available).

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Athens Scooter Accident?

In Georgia, anyone at fault for causing an accident are consequently liable for compensating anyone injured as a result of their negligence. Depending on the circumstances of an Athens scooter accident, liability may fall upon parties such as:

  • A motorist who hits a scooter operator
  • A negligent pedestrian, such as one who steps into the path of an oncoming scooter that has the right of way or walks in a designated bike lane
  • The scooter’s manufacturer, if a design or manufacturing defect causes a mechanical failure that leads to a crash
  • The scooter rideshare company, if a mechanical failure that leads to an accident is caused by negligence maintenance of the company’s scooters.

What Compensation Is Available in a Scooter Injury Lawsuit in Athens?

In a scooter injury lawsuit, you may be able to secure financial compensation for the expenses and losses that you incur due to another party’s fault. Financial recovery in a scooter injury lawsuit can include:

  • Repair or replacement costs for your damaged or destroyed scooter
  • Costs of medical care and rehabilitation for your injuries
  • Long-term care expenses for services to help you with permanent disabilities or impairment
  • Lost wages if you miss time from work due to scooter accident injuries
  • Lost future earning capacity and job benefits if you are indefinitely disabled from returning to the workforce after the accident
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional distress caused by physical disability or permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Is There a Time Limit in Georgia for Filing a Scooter Injury Lawsuit?

Section 9-3-33 imposes a time limit on filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for injuries suffered in a scooter accident. This time limit, known as the statute of limitations, typically gives you two years from the date of the scooter accident to file a lawsuit against any at-fault parties. If you wait until after the statute of limitations expires on your scooter accident claim, you risk your case being dismissed as untimely filed. If this happens, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

Contact One of the Best Athens Scooter Injury Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a scooter accident in Athens, GA, contact R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation. An Athens scooter injury attorney with our firm can help you understand your legal rights following an accident and what we can do to fight for the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.