Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Massachusetts Scooter Safety Regulations
Scooters offer a quick and efficient method of transportation. Practicing scooter safety and following Massachusetts scooter laws can help prevent many common types of scooter accident injuries from occurring.
Massachusetts Scooter Law
Massachusetts scooter laws state that if you ride a scooter, you must wear a helmet that meets or exceeds the standards set forth by the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (US DOT) regulations.
Other safety laws for operating a scooter (“motorized scooter”) in Massachusetts include:
- Operators must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license or permit
- Scooters cannot exceed speeds of 20 miles per hour
- Scooters can be operated on all public ways, except where bicycle and scooter use is prohibited through signage (such as on express state highways)
- Scooter operators must keep to the right side of the road at all times
- Operators must signal when stopping or turning
- Scooters cannot be operated before sunrise or after sunset
Motorized scooters are not recognized in Massachusetts as “motor vehicles” and therefore cannot be registered with the Commonwealth, but they are considered subject to traffic laws and will be issued citations for violating any traffic laws.
Scooter Safety and Accident Prevention
Other than following Massachusetts scooter laws whenever you operate a scooter, it’s important to focus on other safety practices that can help you prevent being involved or seriously injured in a Massachusetts scooter accident.
Scooter Safety Tips
Some common scooter safety tips include:
- Always wear a DOT-approved helmet that is correctly sized and fitted for your head
- If your helmet does not have a face shield, buy a pair of riding goggles
- Keep your headlight on, even during the day
- Avoid roads with gravel, uneven pavement, and potholes
- Never try to ride over a pothole, as this can result in tire deflation
- Attend a scooter safety course
If You Have Been In a Scooter Accident
Oftentimes, scooter accidents are the result of another driver’s negligence, and you simply can’t prevent them.
If you are involved in a scooter accident in Massachusetts, you should contact an experienced Boston motorcycle attorney to learn more about your legal right and options.
What To Ask Your Lawyer?
When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like:
- How long have you been practicing in Massachusetts?
- What is the largest settlement you have won for your clients?
- Do you have experience with scooter accidents?
Attorney Tom Kiley has 30+ year experience representing injured victims in motor vehicle cases. He has personally won million-dollar settlements and verdicts for his clients, and will fight for you with tenacity and knowledge of the law until you get the compensation you deserve.
Call the Kiley Law Group today: 888-208-1695.
Free Consultations.
