How Do Illinois Laws Affect Scooter Injury Cases?

 Posted on June 25, 2021 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Mopeds and motorized or electric scooters are a common form of transportation and recreation for many people throughout Illinois, and they are increasing in popularity with the rise of e-scooter rental companies like Lime, Bird, and Spin. In fact, the City of Chicago has recently run e-scooter pilot programs, with signs pointing to a possible full-time adoption. However, traveling by e-scooter is not without its dangers, and it is important to know what you should do if you are injured while riding.

Requirements for Different Kinds of Scooters in Illinois

In general, vehicles that are considered to be mopeds or scooters are subject to the same Illinois traffic laws as bicycles. This means that if they are traveling on a public road, they should follow traffic signs and signals, stay to the right side of the road, travel in the same direction as other vehicle traffic, and yield the right of way when appropriate. They also must be equipped with a visible headlight and taillight at night, and they are only permitted to carry two people if the passenger has a seat and footrest. Motorized scooters with gas-powered engines must also be titled and registered.

In addition to these laws, there are different legal requirements for different types of scooters. Some motorized scooters are classified as motorcycles or motor-driven cycles based on the power of their engines, and drivers of these vehicles must have a valid Class L or Class M motorcycle license. Drivers of lower-powered mopeds, on the other hand, are only required to have a regular driver’s license.

Illinois lawmakers have recently attempted to introduce legislation regarding low-speed electric scooters like those offered by Spin, Bird, and Lime, including minimum age requirements and the requirement of a license or permit. However, no such legislation has passed, and state law is still somewhat murky regarding the use of these vehicles.

Pursuing Compensation for a Scooter Injury

If you are injured while riding a moped, motorized scooter, or e-scooter, you may be entitled to compensation if your injuries are the fault of another party. For example, if you are struck by a car or another motor vehicle, you may be able to make a claim based on evidence that the driver was drunk, distracted, speeding, or otherwise negligent.

Keep in mind, however, that compensation will likely be reduced for scooter operators whose own actions contribute to their injuries. If you operate a scooter or moped without the required license, or in violation of any Illinois traffic laws, you could be considered partially or fully at fault, and you may even be liable for someone else’s injuries. Making sure that you always operate a scooter safely will give you the best chance of a positive outcome in a personal injury case.

Contact a Lake County Scooter Injury Attorney

With scooter use on the rise, injuries are likely to increase as well. At Salvi & Maher, LLC, we can investigate and review the details of your scooter accident to determine who may be at fault and help you pursue the greatest possible compensation for your injuries. Contact our Waukegan, IL personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation by calling 847-662-3303.

Sources:

https://news.wttw.com/2021/05/14/officials-set-consider-whether-greenlight-scooters-chicago-permanently

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/traffic_safety/mcysafety.html

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf