Re:The case for electric scooters
by hocuspocus on Friday May 11, 2018 @09:05AM
(#17046990)
You can drive safely and still get in a traffic accident, and while you might not be at fault, you weren't supposed to be on the road on a vehicle that has the legal status of a toy, insured or not.
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[Speaking about EU] You most probably won't get in any trouble in that case, a moderate fine is the most extreme case, you definitely will not be liable for anything.
I fail to see how you can come to that conclusion.
In the Netherlands, segways are treated like mopeds (and these electrical scooters are quite similar to segways). Which means that you do need moped liability insurance and you cannot use the sidewalk.
If you get involved in an accident with either a pedestrian or a bicycle, then because you are using a motorised vehicle, you are assumed to be liable for the damage even if it is not your fault.
Only if the damage is more than what damage would happen if you were walking and also only if the damage is directly linked with your vehicle. Principle of adequacy. It hugely depends on what kind of segway it is etc.
So, a pedestrian makes an unexpected move where you have priority, the pedestrian falls and needs lengthy recovery.
Then by default you are liable for all of the pedestrian's costs, even if it was not your fault. No ifs. Just any damage that results from the accident.