Mobility Scooters: An Increasing Danger to Pedestrians and Shoppers
Personal injury solicitor, James McNally examines the rising number of mobility scooter accidents and accident claims involving mobility scooters
The last few years have seen a sharp rise in the number of mobility scooters on our pavements and in our shopping centres. Given the ageing population and cheaper vehicles currently being developed, these numbers look set to increase as do the number of accident claims involving mobility scooters.
The law currently does not require owners of mobility scooters to take out accident insurance, hold a licence or even to pass a proficiency test of any kind. However the increasing number of accidents and injuries involving mobility scooters has led to Parliament considering the need for mobility scooter riders to take out insurance, with the DVLA strongly advising mobility scooter owners take out cover. Almost two-thirds of respondents to a Department of Transport survey last year agreed scooter riders should be subject to the same rules as other motorists.
Calls to our free accident claim helpline over the last 12 months from people who have been hit by mobility scooters have risen sharply. A mobility scooter accident might sound trivial but people are suffering injuries of a type you would normally expect to see when someone is hit by a car travelling 10 to 15 mph. One of our solicitors even investigated an accident in which the person who was hit by a mobility scooter died as a result of their injuries. It is clearly a serious problem.
Another worrying trend is the failure of many scooter drivers to stop when an accident occurs and even when they do, if they are uninsured then there is often no prospect of recovering compensation.
Some say that a change in the law would heap added costs onto vulnerable people who depend on mobility scooters to maintain their independence. However this view fails to take account of the real danger these vehicles present to other pedestrians. The simple reality is that you can pop out to get your shopping one afternoon and end up off work with no pay coming in for the next six weeks while you recover from a broken ankle.
It is estimated by the Department of Transport that there are currently 330,000 mobility scooters in use in the UK and that 95% of all accidents and injuries involving mobility scooters are the fault of the driver.
If you require advice about an accident or injury claim involving a mobility scooter then feel free to contact solicitor James McNally on 01392 423000 or by email at james.mcnally@sleeblackwell.co.uk
Call us now on 0808 139 1590
Or email us at lee.dawkins@sleeblackwell.co.uk
