Riding a moped is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way of getting around the Bay Area. They’re also easy to operate, and it’s perfectly legal to operate them on most city streets. Mopeds must be treated seriously by both their operators and the drivers of motor vehicles. Here are some regulations to consider:
Moped Regulations
- California requires all moped operators to have a valid M1 or M2 license and insurance.
- It’s against the law to operate a moped without a properly fitting helmet.
- Some mopeds require a one-time registration.
- Mopeds are only allowed on streets with speed limits of 25 mph or less. However, they can travel on streets with speed limits higher than 25 mph if those streets have bicycle lanes.
Types of Moped Injuries
Like motorcycles, mopeds present small and narrow profiles in traffic. Drivers of motor vehicles often don’t see them when they’re merging, changing lanes, exiting from private drives or making left turns. Moped operators usually have little time to try and avoid a crash. Aside from a helmet, they’re exposed and unprotected. In the event of an impact by even a small car, severe injuries can be suffered. Those can include any of the following:
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
- Facial fractures and serious dental injuries.
- Damage to internal organs.
- Arm, hip and leg fractures.
- Shoulder, elbow and knee damage.
- Injuries to the structure of the spine and spinal discs.
- Traumatic or surgical amputations of extremities.
What to do After a Moped Crash
If you are injured in a moped crash, call 911. Ask for police and paramedics to be dispatched to the scene. Police can investigate the crash and compile an accident report. Paramedics can stabilize your condition and take you to an emergency room where you can be examined and treated for your injuries. After that, contact our offices to arrange for a free confidential consultation and case review. If your injuries are going to prevent you from traveling to our offices, we can come to your home or hospital room.
Don’t Create Treatment Gaps
If emergency room personnel instruct you to see your own doctor, an orthopedist or a neurologist, make that appointment as soon as you get home. Attend all doctor and physical therapy or rehab appointments. The opposing insurer will be looking for gaps in treatment. If it finds any gaps, it will argue that you weren’t hurt to the extent that you claim. Your credibility will be questioned, and the value of your case might be affected.
Damages
After being injured as a result of the negligence of somebody else, California law allows you to seek compensation for your damages. Those are likely to consist of the following:
- Medical bills like emergency room hospital, surgical and physical rehabilitation bills from the time of the accident to those reasonably expected to be incurred in the future.
- Lost earnings from the time of the accident and any earnings reasonably expected to be lost in the future.
- Any permanent disfigurement or disability.
- Physical and mental pain and suffering that you have endured and will continue to endure in the future.
- If the life of a moped operator was taken as a result of an accident, a wrongful death claim can be brought that seeks other substantial damages.
The Request for a Statement
Never give a statement of any kind to an opposing insurance company. California law doesn’t require you to give one, and you’re likely to hurt your case if you do. If the opposing insurer’s representative threatens to close your file without a statement, let him or her do so. We can have it opened again with a simple phone call or letter.
Contact Us Today
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a moped crash as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else, contact our offices to arrange for that free consultation and case review at your earliest possible opportunity. We can advise you on your full range of legal options. Keep in mind that several deadlines must be met, so contact us quickly to ensure your case is filed in a timely manner. Contact us today to ensure you meet all of your deadline requirements.