December 30, 2022

PROVO, UT 84606 SCOOTER ACCIDENT LAW FIRM Provo Utah 84606 Scooter Accident Lawyer
Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University have lots of scooters and new drivers. Every semester students move to Provo and Orem and are not familiar with the roads. This is a combinate for scooter accidents nears university campuses.

Utah Scooter Laws.
The main body of scooter law is the Utah Traffic Code, located at 41-6a-101. The Utah Traffic Code has 20 parts and is huge.
First you have to decide what type of motor assisted scooter you were driving when you were hit by a car. The Utah Traffic Code defines the following (many) types of scooters, bicycles, etc:

(2) “All-terrain type I vehicle” means the same as that term is defined in 41-22-2.

(4) “Autocycle” means the same as that term is defined in Utah Code 53-3-102. “Autocycle” means a motor vehicle that:
(a) is designed to travel with three or fewer wheels in contact with the ground; and
(b) is equipped with:
(i) a steering mechanism;
(ii) seat belts; and
(iii) seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride the motor vehicle.

(5)(a) “Bicycle” means a wheeled vehicle:
(i) propelled by human power by feet or hands acting upon pedals or cranks;
(ii) with a seat or saddle designed for the use of the operator;
(iii) designed to be operated on the ground; and
(iv) whose wheels are not less than 14 inches in diameter.
(b) “Bicycle” includes an electric assisted bicycle.
(c) “Bicycle” does not include scooters and similar devices.

(8) “Class 1 electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle described in Utah Code Code (17)(d)(i).

(9) “Class 2 electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle described in Utah Code Code (17)(d)(ii).

(10) “Class 3 electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle described in Utah Code Code (17)(d)(iii).

(17) “Electric assisted bicycle” means a bicycle with an electric motor that:
(a) has a power output of not more than 750 watts;
(b) has fully operable pedals on permanently affixed cranks;
(c) is fully operable as a bicycle without the use of the electric motor; and
(d) is one of the following:
(i) an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor or electronics that:
(A) provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling; and
(B) ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour;
(ii) an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor or electronics that:
(A) may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle; and
(B) is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; or
(iii) an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor or electronics that:
(A) provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling;
(B) ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour; and
(C) is equipped with a speedometer.

(18)(a) “Electric personal assistive mobility device” means a self-balancing device with:
(i) two nontandem wheels in contact with the ground;
(ii) a system capable of steering and stopping the unit under typical operating conditions;
(iii) an electric propulsion system with average power of one horsepower or 750 watts;
(iv) a maximum speed capacity on a paved, level surface of 12.5 miles per hour; and
(v) a deck design for a person to stand while operating the device.
(b) “Electric personal assistive mobility device” does not include a wheelchair.

(23)(a) “Golf cart” means a device that:
(i) is designed for transportation by players on a golf course;
(ii) has not less than three wheels in contact with the ground;
(iii) has an unladen weight of less than 1,800 pounds;
(iv) is designed to operate at low speeds; and
(v) is designed to carry not more than six persons including the driver.
(b) “Golf cart” does not include:
(i) a low-speed vehicle or an off-highway vehicle;
(ii) a motorized wheelchair;
(iii) an electric personal assistive mobility device;
(iv) an electric assisted bicycle;
(v) a motor assisted scooter;
(vi) a personal delivery device, as defined in Utah Code 41-6a-1119; or
(vii) a mobile carrier, as defined in Utah Code 41-6a-1120.

(35) (a) “Low-speed vehicle” means a four wheeled electric motor vehicle that:Provo, UTAH scooter accident law firm
(i) is designed to be operated at speeds of not more than 25 miles per hour; and
(ii) has a capacity of not more than six passengers, including a conventional driver or fallback-ready user if on board the vehicle, as those terms are defined in Utah Code 41-26-102.1.
(b) “Low-speed vehicle” does not include a golfcart or an off-highway vehicle.

(37)(a) “Mini-motorcycle” means a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle that has a seat or saddle that is less than 24 inches from the ground as measured on a level surface with properly inflated tires.
(b) “Mini-motorcycle” does not include a moped or a motor assisted scooter.
(c) “Mini-motorcycle” does not include a motorcycle that is:
(i) designed for off-highway use; and
(ii) registered as an off-highway vehicle under Utah Code 41-22-3.

(40)(a) “Moped” means a motor-driven cycle having:
(i) pedals to permit propulsion by human power; and
(ii) a motor that:
(A) produces not more than two brake horsepower; and
(B) is not capable of propelling the cycle at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour on level ground.
(b) If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters and the moped shall have a power drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.
(c) “Moped” does not include:
(i) an electric assisted bicycle; or
(ii) a motor assisted scooter.

(41)(a) “Motor assisted scooter” means a self-propelled device with:
(i) at least two wheels in contact with the ground;
(ii) a braking system capable of stopping the unit under typical operating conditions;
(iii) an electric motor not exceeding 2,000 watts;
(iv) either:
(A) handlebars and a deck design for a person to stand while operating the device; or
(B) handlebars and a seat designed for a person to sit, straddle, or stand while operating the device;
(v) a design for the ability to be propelled by human power alone; and
(vi) a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface.
(b) “Motor assisted scooter” does not include:
(i) an electric assisted bicycle; or
(ii) a motor-driven cycle.

HOW TO DETERMINE WHO IS AT-FAULT IN A UTAH SCOOTER ACCIDENT?

As you can see above, the firs step in seeing who is at-fault is determining what type of scooter or motor vehicle was involved in the car collision. After you know which type of scooter was involved, you apply the same basic Utah Traffic laws in determining fault.
Often scooter accidents are denied by the insurance companies, many times because they don’t know the Utah Traffic Code. This often requires you to file a lawsuit to get compensation.

PROVO, UTAH SCOOTER ATTORNEY JAKE GUNTER. CALL/TXT (801) 373-6345. FREE CONSULTATION. DON’T TALK TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE CALLING JAKE.