If you are involved in an accident involving a mobility scooter then you might be entitled to compensation. This is the case if you are either the mobility scooter user or a pedestrian. Mobility scooters are vital for some people to get around and pedestrians and road users should respect their presence on the streets. Unfortunately, accidents occur sometimes and there are some things you should be aware of in case you’re involved in one.
Insurance
Mobility scooter users are not legally required to purchase insurance as they would with most other motor vehicles. However, the scooter might be included in the user’s home insurance if they have personal possessions cover. The user should make themselves aware of this. If it isn’t already covered, many mobility scooter retailers will recommend purchasing a third party liability insurance policy. Insurance means that the mobility scooter user is financially protected should they be at fault for an accident. This is particularly important should the accident injure someone. If another road user causes a collision with a mobility scooter, their insurance policy will cover it instead.
Road and pavement use
Mobility scooters are permitted to use footpaths and some classes are permitted on roads. There are specific restrictions such as maximum speed and the size of the scooter. If a mobility scooter breaks these rules they may be stopped by police. In extreme cases, police have powers to ban frequent offenders from using their mobility scooter in public.
Take notes
If involved in an accident, you should ensure everyone is safe, including yourself, and seek medical assistance if needed. If safe to do so, you should take notes so you don’t forget later. Write down everything that happened and what was said as soon as you can and whilst it’s fresh in your head. Include as much detail as you can, not forgetting names, addresses, dates, times and other such details.
Contributory negligence
When you physically bump into someone whilst out walking there’s a good chance that the blame was mutual. This often happens when a mobility scooter user gets involved in an accident with a pedestrian on the footpath. When someone is hurt as a result, it’s called contributory negligence and you can learn more about it here.
Claiming for compensation
Claiming for an accident involving a mobility scooter is quite similar to claiming for a car collision. The person pursuing compensation has 3 years from the date of the accident to make the claim. If the claim is successful, they’ll be entitled to both general damages and special damages. As with any instance of seeking compensation, you should contact a specialist. At Paschal O’Hare Personal Injury Solicitors, we dedicate 100% of our time on injury claims rather than stretching ourselves across all areas of law. If you require representation now or in the future, you can learn more about our services.
