How Safe Are Motor Scooters in St. Petersburg?
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury
Motor scooters are all the rage right now. If you live in a big city, you’ve likely seen hundreds of these agile vehicles zipping from one street to the next. But why exactly are they so popular? And more importantly, are they safe for daily use?
If you’re ready to dive into the world of motor scooters, this post is for you. Keep reading to discover what makes motor scooters a viable option for your commute.
The Many Benefits of Motor Scooters
The current state of the economy and rising gas prices have caused Americans to look for new methods of transportation. So if you’re ready to trade in a monthly car payment for a cheaper alternative, a motor scooter may be the perfect solution.
With a motor scooter, you will:
Save Money
If you’re talking about sticker price alone, a motor scooter is much more economical than a traditional car. But that’s not where the money-saving benefits end. The average scooter gets as much as 100 miles per gallon. This means that you can also expect to reduce your weekly gas costs.
Spend Less Time on Maintenance
Motor scooters are known for being low maintenance. Whatever upkeep is required, you can often tackle it in your own garage! Make sure to check the tire pressure and liquid levels frequently, and you should be good to go.
With these major benefits on the pros list, you are likely convinced that motor scooters are the future of transportation. But before you whip out your credit card, take a moment to consider the practicalities.
Are Motor Scooters Street Legal in Florida?
Fortunately, motor scooters are street legal in the state of Florida. That’s because they have no distinct legal definition. Therefore, they fall into the same category as motorcycles.
With that being said, a driver must have a valid license to operate a motor scooter on Florida roads. You will need to register your scooter and ensure that it is licensed and insured.
And because the small engine of a scooter won’t allow you to reach minimum speeds for the highways, you’ll need to avoid any interstates.
Are Motor Scooters Safe?
Motor scooters are similar to motorcycles. This same idea applies in the answer to questions about motor scooter safety. As long as a driver wears a DOT-approved helmet, observes the law, and practices defensive driving, they should remain reasonably safe.
However, like motorcycle accidents, a motor scooter accident does leave a rider vulnerable to certain injuries. When an accident occurs, the rider may suffer from:
Road Rash
Nearly every motorcycle rider has seen a bad case of road rash. This injury happens when a rider is thrown from the bike and their body scrapes along the pavement. Road rash varies from mild to severe.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Falling off of (or being thrown from) a scooter is dangerous. Wear a helmet to reduce your risk of a traumatic brain injury.
Broken Bones
When you crash on a motor scooter, you aren’t protected by a car’s exterior shell or seatbelt. As a result, the collision could lead to broken or fractured bones.
These common injuries can lead to expensive medical treatments and even surgery. So if you do become involved in an accident, it’s wise to call an attorney afterward. If you are entitled to compensation for your injury, a personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg will help you navigate the complexities of the legal system to seek a fair outcome in your case.
Contact the Pinellas County Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg motorcycle accident law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Pinellas County, and its surrounding areas:
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765,
United States
727-796-8282
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712,
United States
(727) 349-1728