Spokane law enforcement reports that a man riding on a scooter was recently taken to the hospital with serious injuries after he struck a vehicle head-on. The accident occurred when the scooter rider crossed the center lane of the road and crashed into the motor vehicle. Law enforcement has reported that at the time the accident occurred, the scooter's driver was not impaired. It is still uncertain exactly why the collision occurred. While many riders in Spokane enjoy scooters, statistics suggest that scooter accidents occur at an alarming rate. If you planning on a riding a scooter, the following tips on how to safely ride and operate a scooter can help decrease your risk of being involved in an accident.

See and be Seen

Remaining visible is one of the best ways to remain safe while riding a scooter. One of the best ways to remain visible is to wear reflective or bright clothing and gear no matter if you are riding during the day or night. Other steps that you should take to make sure you remain visible include always using directional signals while turning and making use of the scooter's lights, even during daylight hours.

Avoid Blind Spots

While driving your scooter, you should take steps to make certain that you remain out of the blind spots of bigger vehicles. Rather than look behind you and risk being struck by a vehicle that has rushed in front of you, it is much safer to use your rearview mirrors and to keep your eyes on the road ahead of you.

Head Safety

You should always wear a helmet no matter how far your destination or how fast you are going. While helmets will not decrease the risk of being involved in an accident, if an accident does happen, a helmet will greatly decrease the chance that you end up seriously injured.

Watch for Obstacles in the Road

Because scooters only have two wheels, they are much less stable than motor vehicles. As a result, it is important while driving a scooter to remain observant of bumps, potholes, and any other type of debris that can knock you off. Even things like rocks and wet leaves have been known to cause scooter accidents. You should remain alert to your conditions at all times to avoid being suddenly knocked off of your vehicle.

Scooters Handle Differently

On scooters and other small vehicles, your hands control the speed. Before heading out on a scooter, it is important that you remember this vital difference. Many beginning riders each year end up in accidents due to reflexes developed from years of driving cars.

Speak with an Experienced Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one is involved in a scooter accident, the results can be particularly serious and you can be left facing medical bills, lost wages, and numerous other costs. At West Law Office, we remain committed to fighting for the compensation that accident victims deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule an initial free consultation, during which time we will discuss your various options.

 (image courtesy of Daniel Von Appen)