Sarasota has embraced micro-mobility, but the rise in scooter use has brought a spike in serious injuries.

After launching the city’s e-scooter sharing program, Sarasota saw nearly 150,000 rides in just the first year. Scooters and mopeds are now common on downtown streets, along the beaches, and near the University Parkway corridor. But this growing convenience comes with risk — and local emergency rooms are seeing more fractures, head trauma, and concussions tied to scooter crashes.

Why are scooter accidents happening more often? In our experience representing Sarasota victims, it often comes down to:

• 🚧 Driver Inattention – Cars aren’t expecting scooters in bike lanes or crosswalks.
• 🎓 Inexperienced Riders – Tourists, teens, and college students ride with little or no training.
• 🚦 Visibility Issues – Scooters are small and often hidden in traffic on roads like Tamiami Trail, Ringling Boulevard, and U.S. 41 downtown.
• 🛵 Unsafe Conditions – Roadway designs still lag behind the rise in scooter usage.

These collisions can be devastating — even at 15–20 mph. Our law firm recently represented a college student who was struck by a texting driver near St. Armands Circle. She was thrown from her scooter, suffering a fractured pelvis and concussion. What followed wasn’t just physical recovery — it was a confusing battle with insurance to find out who would cover her medical care.

At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, every case is handled by a full partner. We’ve seen firsthand how vulnerable scooter riders are on Sarasota’s streets — and we fight to make sure they’re not left unprotected.

🚫 Why Auto Insurance Often Doesn’t Cover Scooter Accidents in Florida

Most people assume insurance will kick in after a crash — but scooter riders don’t get the same protection as car drivers under Florida’s no-fault insurance system.

Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers medical costs for drivers and passengers in car accidents, regardless of fault. But here’s the problem:

PIP does not apply to e-scooter or moped riders.

Under Florida law, two-wheeled vehicle operators — including e-scooters, Vespas, and mopeds — are excluded from PIP benefits. That means if you’re riding a scooter and get hit by a car, you’re on your own unless other coverage applies.

⚠️ The Most Common Insurance Gaps Scooter Riders Face

Here’s where things break down for scooter crash victims:

• ❌ No PIP Coverage – Florida PIP doesn’t cover scooters or mopeds.
• ❌ Scooter Insurance Not Required – Riders aren’t legally required to carry any insurance.
• ❌ At-Fault Driver Might Have No Coverage – Florida doesn’t mandate bodily injury liability coverage for drivers.
• ❌ Health Insurance Is Limited – It may cover hospital bills but not lost wages, pain and suffering, or long-term care.

These gaps can leave injured riders with tens of thousands in unpaid medical bills — even if they weren’t at fault.

Real-World Example: When Coverage Fails

We represented a college student hit near St. Armands Circle while riding her scooter. She had full auto insurance for her car — but when she filed a claim, her own insurer denied it, because she wasn’t in a covered vehicle.

Worse still, the driver who hit her had no bodily injury liability coverage, meaning no auto insurance paid for her fractured pelvis and concussion. This left her facing significant medical debt, unable to rely on the same protections a car occupant would expect.

Florida Law Is Still Catching Up

There’s no legal requirement in Florida to insure a scooter — and no financial responsibility is triggered until after a crash. That leaves many riders, especially young people and tourists, totally unprotected.

Even other states have ruled similarly: in a high-profile New Jersey case, the state’s Supreme Court found that an e-scooter rider hit by a car was not eligible for no-fault benefits. Florida hasn’t issued a similar decision yet, but the interpretation is likely to be comparable.

What This Means for Sarasota Riders

If you’re injured on a scooter in Florida, you’re outside the no-fault system. To recover compensation, you may need to:

• File a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• File a personal injury lawsuit if that driver has no coverage.
• Explore uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — if you have it.

At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, our Sarasota legal team helps scooter crash victims navigate these confusing gray areas. With decades of experience, we uncover every possible avenue for compensation — even when insurance companies say “you’re not covered.”

⚖️ What Florida Law Says About Scooter Accidents

Scooter laws in Florida are still evolving — and while scooters are legal, insurance and injury protections haven’t caught up. Here’s what every Sarasota rider should know:

✅ Scooters Are Legal on Florida Roads

• As of 2019, e-scooters are allowed on public roads and bike lanes.
• Riders have the same rights and duties as bicyclists.
• You must be at least 16 years old to ride, but no driver’s license is required for most stand-up scooters.
• Sarasota may set its own local restrictions (like no-ride zones or special lanes).

❌ No Insurance Required

• E-scooter and moped riders aren’t required to carry insurance in Florida.
• There’s no PIP or proof-of-financial-responsibility rule for scooters (unlike for cars or motorcycles).
• That means many riders are uninsured — and totally exposed in a crash.

🚗 If You’re Hit by a Car, Fault Matters

• Without PIP, your only option may be a claim against the at-fault driver.
• Florida now uses modified comparative negligence:
  • If you’re more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages.
  • Example: if you ran a red light on a scooter, you could lose your case even if the driver also made mistakes.
• Having a lawyer prove the driver’s negligence (speeding, texting, failure to yield) is essential.

🚶 Pedestrian Hit by a Scooter? It’s Complicated

• If a pedestrian is injured by a scooter rider:
  • They may be able to use their own PIP coverage (if a car was indirectly involved).
  • If no car is involved, they might need to claim under the scooter rider’s renters or homeowners insurance, if any exists.

⏳ Statute of Limitations: 2 Years

• In Florida, you have 2 years to file a personal injury claim after a scooter accident.
• But don’t wait — video footage, witness memories, and road conditions change quickly.
• If a government road hazard contributed to the crash, notice deadlines can be much shorter.

Florida law treats scooters as legitimate road vehicles, but injury compensation laws haven’t caught up. Until they do, injured riders are often forced to navigate legal claims outside the no-fault system — and that’s where our experienced Sarasota attorneys can help.

How Scooter Riders Can Protect Themselves in Sarasota

Even the safest riders can’t control what other drivers do — but you can take steps now to protect yourself financially and legally if a crash happens.

✅ Ride Smart — and Like Drivers Don’t See You

Florida doesn’t require helmets for adult scooter riders, but wearing one can prevent life-altering injuries.
Stay visible, avoid distractions, and assume car drivers don’t see you — especially on busy roads like Bee Ridge, U.S. 41, or Ringling Blvd.
It’s common-sense safety, but it matters when fault is disputed after a crash.

🛑 Know the Insurance Gaps — and How to Fill Them

Florida law doesn’t require insurance for scooters — and PIP won’t cover you if you’re injured while riding one.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

✔ If You Have Auto Insurance:

• Check your UM/UIM coverage. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist protection can cover injuries even if you’re not in your car.
• UM coverage often applies if you’re hit while riding a scooter or walking — it follows you, not the vehicle.
• We recommend carrying as much UM as you can afford — 1 in 6 Florida drivers has no insurance at all!

✔ If You Don’t Have Auto Insurance:

• Consider a specialty scooter or moped policy (offered by some insurers).
• Health insurance may cover hospital bills, but not lost income or pain and suffering.
• Some renters or homeowners policies may offer limited liability coverage if you injure someone — but many exclude anything involving motorized vehicles.

Rented a Scooter? You’re Likely Not Covered

Bird, Lime, Veo, and similar companies require you to waive most legal claims. Their rental agreements:

• Shift blame to the rider in most cases
• Provide little or no insurance
• Require you to prove gross negligence to make a claim stick

Always inspect the scooter before riding and follow the rules — breaking them could void any chance of recovering compensation.

🧾 After a Crash: Document Everything

If you’re in a scooter accident:

• Call 911 and get medical care
• Request a police report
• Take photos of the scene, vehicles, injuries, and road conditions
• Get witness contact info
• Don’t speak with insurers or give statements until you talk to an attorney

We Help Sarasota Scooter Riders Get Real Answers

At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, we know how to uncover hidden coverage, fight denied claims, and take legal action when needed. Our Sarasota team works with clients who never expected to need legal help after a simple scooter ride — and we make sure they don’t face the aftermath alone.

How Our Sarasota Injury Lawyers Help Scooter Crash Victims

If you’ve been hit while riding a scooter, the insurance system won’t make it easy — but our legal team will. At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, we’ve spent decades helping accident victims in Sarasota and throughout Southwest Florida get the compensation they deserve — even in complex scooter and moped cases.

Here’s how we help you bridge the gap insurance won’t cover:

We Investigate Quickly and Thoroughly

• Gather police reports, video footage, and eyewitness statements
• Work with accident reconstruction experts when needed
• Identify all liable parties — drivers, employers, or even the city if road design played a role

Example: In a recent U.S. 301 crash, we secured traffic camera footage that proved our client had the right of way — shutting down the insurer’s attempt to shift blame.

We Find Coverage Others Miss

• Review your auto, health, or even homeowners policies for unexpected coverage
• File uninsured motorist claims when the at-fault driver has no insurance
• Coordinate with medical providers to delay collections while your claim is pending

Many scooter riders are shocked to find no insurance coverage at all after a crash — until we step in.

We Build a Full, Evidence-Based Compensation Claim

• Work with medical and financial experts to document:
  • Future medical care
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Pain, suffering, and quality-of-life losses
• Present your case to insurers or a jury using clear, compelling evidence
• Don’t let an insurer label your injuries “minor” — if it’s affecting your life, we make sure it counts.

We Negotiate Hard — and Go to Trial If Needed

• Insurers often lowball scooter claims or dispute fault
• Our attorneys are known courtroom litigators, not settlement mills
• When insurers resist, we file suit, depose witnesses, present expert testimony, and try the case

With over 100 years of combined legal experience and millions recovered for Florida accident victims, we know how to win — and we’re ready if it comes to court.

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We Keep You Informed and Supported

• You’ll work directly with a full partner, not a junior associate
• We explain your options clearly, and you make the final decisions
• No fees unless we win — our success is tied to yours

We’re here to ease your burden, answer every question, and guide you to the best outcome — with compassion and expertise.

Why Injury Victims Across Sarasota Trust Our Law Firm

At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, we’re not just personal injury attorneys — we’re part of the Sarasota community.

Clients choose us because:

• Experience Matters – With over 150 years of combined legal experience, our partners have successfully handled thousands of complex injury cases, including scooter, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents.
• Results Speak for Themselves – We’ve recovered over $500 million for injured clients across Florida.
• Every Case Handled by a Full Partner – You work directly with a seasoned attorney, not passed down to junior staff.
• We’re Local – Our Sarasota office is right on University Parkway near Tuttle Avenue. We know the streets, the laws, and the challenges local accident victims face.
• You’re Not Just a Case Number – We provide compassionate, hands-on guidance from start to finish, so you’re never alone in the process.

Don’t Face This Alone — Put the Burden on Us

If you’ve been injured in a scooter accident — or any traffic collision — you deserve a legal team that:

• Knows the loopholes in Florida’s insurance system
• Fights aggressively to recover every dollar you’re owed
• Supports you with care, clarity, and zero upfront fees

Contact our Sarasota office today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting your life back on track.

Call us or fill out our quick online form — and let us start fighting for you.
Because at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh: Justice Pays.

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