Motor scooters are a good alternative for many commuters, especially those who do not need to take the highway to get to work. Motor scooters are more fuel-efficient than most motorcycles, and because they are not capable of traveling at fast speeds, they are also generally seen as a safer alternative. However, Maryland scooter accidents are still a serious risk for those who choose to commute by scooter.
Earlier this month, actor George Clooney was injured in a motor scooter accident on the Italian island of Sardinia. According to a recent news report, Clooney was in Sardinia filming a new adaptation of the 1953 novel by Joseph Heller, Catch-22.
Evidently, Clooney was riding on the scooter alone when the driver of a Mercedes failed to yield the right-of-way and collided with the scooter. The responding police officer told reporters that after the initial collision, Clooney slammed into the windshield of the Mercedes. Pictures taken after the accident show Clooney’s scooter lying on the pavement, as well as the Mercedes’ broken windshield.
Clooney was taken to the hospital, where he underwent an MRI. Everything appeared to be normal with the MRI, and Clooney was released a short time later. According to his publicist, Clooney is “recovering at home and will be fine.”
Liability in Maryland Motor Scooter Accidents
Maryland motorists have a duty to always operate their vehicle in a safe and responsible manner. Thus, when a motorist causes an accident, they may be held liable for any injuries caused as a result of the accident.
When most Maryland motorists see someone riding a scooter, they take extra precautions, as they should. However, sometimes drivers are distracted, in a rush, or for some other reason act aggressively, increasing the risk of causing a Maryland scooter accident.
In order to succeed in a case against another driver, Maryland scooter accident victims must be able to show that the other driver violated a duty of care that was owed to the accident victim. This is normally done by establishing that the other driver violated a traffic law, failed to yield the right-of-way, or was distracted at the time of the accident.
Additionally, an accident victim must be able to prove that their injuries were caused by the at-fault driver’s negligence, and not by some other reason. In many cases, this is obvious; however, certain accidents present unusual circumstances that require additional proof, typically through the presentation of expert witnesses.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Scooter Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland scooter accident, you should contact one of the dedicated Maryland personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC. You may be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries you have sustained. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, we represent accident victims and their families in all types of Maryland personal injury accidents, including motorcycle and scooter accidents. To learn more about how we can help you recover for your injuries, call 410-654-3600 today. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we are able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
Court Finds Government Liable in Recent Case Alleging Negligent Road Design, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 20, 2018.
Bike Accidents Involving Children Are Frighteningly Common, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 5, 2018.