Vespas are Italian-made motor scooters. They are two-wheeled motorized vehicles that can be driven on major highways. Their main attraction is that they are a cheap form of transportation. They’re also less noisy and powerful than motorcycles. Many Vespas have large engines and can operate at high speeds. For most people, they are easier to ride than motorcycles. However, Vespas aren’t the only form of motorized scooter. In fact, more brands of scooters and mopeds are being made every day. Peugeot scooters are another popular brand of motorized scooter. The downside of a Vespa and other similar scooters is that they are very dangerous in the sense that they are small, open vehicles. Like motorcycles, these scooters offer no protection if the rider or a passenger gets into an accident. When an accident occurs, there isn’t a hood, roof, trunk or steel frame to protect the rider. Due to the lack of rider protection, many collisions are deadly. Others leave the rider and passenger with permanent injuries or broken bones.
Reasons Scooters are Dangerous
Even the best and most cautious drivers of Vespa type scooters can get into accidents because even a conscientious driver can be impacted by other less cautions individuals. Actions, circumstances and factors that can increase the odds of a serious collision include:
- Lack of Visibility — Car and truck drivers simply aren’t looking for small scooter-like vehicles. In a world of large SUVs, trucks and even smaller cars; someone on a scooter can be easily missed. The larger vehicle drivers won’t see the scooter in their rear-view mirror. Likewise, many car and truck drivers miss the scooter driver because of blind spots in their mirrors. When drivers do see the scooter, it may already be too late for either party to avoid the crash.
- Too Quiet — Car drivers don’t hear scooters in the same way they hear a car or a motorcycle because scooters have less horsepower and are generally much quieter than motorcycles. Hearing the vehicle is one factor larger vehicle drivers use to anticipate and react to other vehicles on the road.
- Turns are Tougher— Scooters don’t turn in the same way that cars do. Scooters turn at an angle, but the scooter also tends to tilt to the side during a turn just like a motorcycle. Riders must be sure to maintain bike stability during turns.
- Adverse weather conditions — Scooters, like motorcycles, are subject to the elements. Vespa drivers can’t protect themselves from rain, fog, cold or heat in the same way that car and truck drivers can. Even when the weather clears, a wet highway can increase stopping distances and make driving dangerous.
- Objects in the Road — Small items in the road can create large problems. Cars and trucks don’t notice or can easily respond to cracks in the roadway an potholes but a scooter driver that hits a crack, a bump, a tin can, or other debris can easily lose his or her balance and fall to the ground.
- Control Issues — Scooter drivers are more inclined to weave in and out of traffic because they can fit into smaller spaces. Unfortunately, the weaving can be an invitation to disaster. At high speeds, an opening can close very quickly leading to a dangerous and potentially fatal situation.
The above are only a few of the factors that can contribute to causing a Vespa or scooter accident. Many other factors can work alone or in tandem so that a collision becomes inevitable.
Common Medical Injuries in Scooter Accidents
Many scooter accidents occur at high speeds and without adequate protection causing the driver and passenger to suffer life-altering or fatal injuries. In cases where death occurs, a personal injury may bring a wrongful death action on behalf of the families. Even when a crash victim does survive the crash, the injuries can be quite serious. Common scooter accident injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries which can cause the victim to become a paraplegic or a quadriplegic.
- Broken bones
- Brain and neurological damage (TBI)
- Scars and disfigurement
- Loss of a limb, a hand or a foot.
- Serious internal injuries
The above lists only a few of the more commonly occurring injuries following a scooter collision of accident. While the use of sufficient safety equipment can reduce the odds of a serious Vespa injury, no equipment can eliminate that risk.
Rely on Our Vespa & Scooter Accident Injury Experience
The Law Practice of Ken Kieklak is dedicated to providing dedicated and experienced legal representation of injury victims in Arkansas. For more than 20 years Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak has fought to hold reckless, careless and negligent parties accountable for the serious injuries they cause. To schedule a free and confidential legal consultation call us at (479) 316-0438 today or contact us online.