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While VESPA-brand mopeds and other motor scooters are allowed on public roads in Pennsylvania, there are several restrictions on these machines that do not apply to standard commuter cars or even motorcycles. That said, when you are lawfully operating a motor scooter, you still have a right to be respected by other drivers around you. If you end up hurt in a wreck caused by another driver’s misconduct, you may have grounds to pursue compensation through a civil claim.
VESPA/motor scooter accidents in Philadelphia can make for complicated civil claims, especially if you have suffered serious injuries and are not intimately familiar with Pennsylvania’s “choice no-fault” approach to auto insurance. Put simply, if you were injured while riding a motor scooter, you should speak with a dedicated motorcycle accident attorney about your legal options.
How State Law Approaches Mopeds and Motor Scooters
To legally drive a motor scooter on a public road in Pennsylvania, a rider must have at least a Class C driver’s insurance, proof of motorcycle and/or automobile insurance, and proof they have registered their motor scooter with the state Department of Transportation. If a motor scooter has an engine stronger than 50cc, it may be considered a motorcycle in the eyes of the Pennsylvania government and be subject to additional licensing and insurance requirements as a result.
Aside from the above requirements, someone who is lawfully riding a motor scooter on public roads is expected to follow all the same traffic laws as any other driver around them. Car and truck drivers are likewise expected to act responsibly around motor scooter operators. Anyone who “breaches” this duty and causes a crash may be legally “negligent” and, based on that, financially liable for an injured motor scooter rider’s losses.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Some injured riders may be able to recover for medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other economic losses through their own insurance coverage. However, someone with legal standing to file suit over a moped crash in Philadelphia caused by another person’s misconduct can seek compensation for the full value of all economic and non-economic losses they experience because of the accident, including:
- Medical bills and similar losses that are not fully covered by insurance
- Lost work income, benefits, and/or earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological trauma
- Lost overall enjoyment of life, plus other effects of long-term disability or disfigurement
It is important to seek help from seasoned legal counsel sooner rather than later, since 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524 typically allows just two years after an injury occurs for any lawsuit over that injury to formally begin.
Talk To a Philadelphia Attorney About a VESPA/Motor Scooter Accident Claim
Even if your vehicle is not as powerful as other cars around you, you have a right to a safe amount of space and the respect of your fellow drivers on the road. As you may have recently learned, not every driver lives up to this basic expectation. When a vehicle strikes a motor scooter rider, the rider is likely to experience catastrophic harm.
If you want a good shot at getting at securing compensation from whoever caused your VESPA / motor scooter accident in Philadelphia, you should have a capable and compassionate lawyer on your side. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, today for an initial consultation.
