While they are not quite as popular stateside as they are in other urban areas in Europe and around the globe, motor scooters and mopeds are far from an uncommon sight in the Las Vegas metro area. Unfortunately, you cannot always trust that motor vehicle drivers will see you while operating or riding on an undersized vehicle like this. As you may have learned the hard way recently, their misconduct can sometimes lead to collisions with devastating repercussions.
Filing a civil suit over a Vespa/motor scooter accident in Summerlin works very similarly to standard motorcycle or car accident litigation in some ways and very differently in others. No matter the circumstances leading up to your wreck, understanding how the law may be applied to your case and proactively pursuing the compensation you deserve will be much easier with assistance from the seasoned motorcyclist injury lawyers at Shook & Stone.
What Counts as a Motor Scooter?
According to Nevada Revised Statutes § 482.069, a two or three-wheeled vehicle is considered a “moped” rather than a “motorcycle” if it:
- Cannot react at a speed of over 30 miles per hour while traveling on flat ground
- Has a 50cc engine
- Has an engine that cannot produce more than two gross brake horsepower or 1500 watts of output
This distinction is important because moped operators are not required to have special operator’s licenses and may not be allowed to ride on certain highways.
Moped operators are also expected to stay on the extreme right-hand side of any road they travel on unless they are about to make a left turn or unless traveling on the far right side of the road would be dangerous to the rider or unreasonably obstruct traffic. Provided they follow all these rules, motor scooter riders in Summerlin have all the same rights as people operating standard commuter cars, which means they can file suit against anyone who injures them by causing a collision through a reckless, careless, or illegal act.
Seeking Compensation for Specific Injuries and Losses
Someone found legally liable for a Vespa crash in Summerlin, Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, Sun City, or elsewhere in Nevada can, in turn, be held financially accountable for every negative effect the incident has already had and will have in the future on the injured person filing suit. On the economic side of things, this can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost work income
- Lost future working capacity
- Scooter repair/replacement costs
- Disability-related costs of things like wheelchairs
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more subjective in nature and typically center around physical pain and suffering. They can also include things like lost enjoyment of life and various forms of psychological distress. In rare situations involving extreme negligence or intentionally malicious conduct by the named defendant(s), a court may impose additional “punitive damages” against that defendant.
Talk to a Summerlin Attorney About a Possible Vespa/Motor Scooter Accident Claim
Motor scooters are not unreasonably dangerous if you wear appropriate safety gear and follow all the rules of the road. Unfortunately, even the most responsible riders cannot completely eliminate the risk that they may get hurt by no fault of their own due to another driver’s negligence.
When you are involved in a Vespa/motor scooter accident in Summerlin that meets this description, you should prioritize speaking with the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Shook & Stone about your legal options. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
