Vespa/Motor Scooter Accidents in New Jersey

Vespas and motor scooters offer a quick, eco-friendly way to get around town. Unfortunately, they also offer relatively little protection from collisions, so if the driver of a passenger vehicle behaves negligently, it can lead to a serious accident with devastating injuries. After Vespa/motor scooter accidents in New Jersey, reach out to a skilled lawyer to discuss your right to file a motorcycle accident claim and the compensation you may be able to recover.

How Motor Scooter Accidents Occur

New Jersey Vespa/motor scooter accidents frequently result from negligent driver behavior. They fit a smaller visual profile than larger passenger vehicles, which means that other drivers may not take note of them as quickly, and may travel slower than other vehicles on the road, which can make it more difficult for other drivers to gauge the behavior of their riders. Motor scooter accidents may occur because of:

• Driver distraction
• Failure to yield
• Aggressive driving
• Speeding
• Left turn accidents

Drivers may engage in more reckless behavior when sharing the road with a motor scooter if they perceive that the rider is slowing them down in some way, such as on a road where the scooter cannot reach the speed limit.

Filing a Claim After a Vespa Accident

In order to register a motor scooter in New Jersey, riders must carry insurance that will provide protection in the event of an accident. Because New Jersey is a no-fault state, that includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.

After an accident, PIP coverage will take care of the immediate medical costs of anyone covered by that policy who suffers injuries in an auto accident. That means that after an accident on a moped, an injured individual starts by filing a claim through their own insurance policies.

However, because moped accidents often cause severe injuries, the injured individual’s costs can quickly exceed the protection offered by PIP insurance. When a motor scooter rider suffers severe injuries, including disfigurement or permanent disability, they may have the right to file a claim for compensation against the other driver’s auto insurance policy. An injured rider must file this claim within two years of the date of the accident or two years of the date they discovered their injuries.

Claims commonly include compensation for:

• Medical costs directly related to injuries sustained in the accident
• Any future anticipated medical expenses for the treatment of injuries from the moped or motor scooter accident
• Wages lost because the moped or motor scooter rider could not return to work right after the accident
• Lost earning potential, when severe injuries cause permanent disability
• General damages, also known as pain and suffering, which cover the non-financial losses associated with an accident

Working with a lawyer to calculate the value of those damages could prove essential, since a lawyer can offer critical insights about the elements of a motor scooter accident claim.

Discuss Vespa/Motor Scooter Accidents in New Jersey with an Attorney

Dealing with the aftermath of Vespa/motor scooter accidents in New Jersey can leave many people reeling. A lawyer could help manage the claim process and provide vital support during interactions with the insurance company, including helping you navigate a claim through your own PIP policy. If you suffered injuries in a motor scooter accident, Garces, Grabler, & LeBrocq is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.