Moped Accidents Can be Dangerous or Deadly
Article Summary: The TimesEnterprise.com reports that a teenager who was injured in a moped accident later died from his injuries. The young man was driving his moped on the north bypass near I-84 when a woman driving a truck hit the moped from behind. During the collision, the teen was ejected from the moped, and his helmet fell off. The truck and the moped both ended up on the shoulder near the highway. The injured teenager was taken from the accident scene to a hospital for treatment, but, sadly, he eventually died as the result of his injuries.
Moped Accidents Can be Dangerous or Deadly
Electric scooters, mopeds, and electric bicycles are popular in urban areas because they are easy to use, easy to store, and they don't use much gas. Unfortunately, their small size leaves their drivers vulnerable in collisions. Statistics out of nearby North Carolina indicate that out of the approximately 450 moped accidents that happened in the state in 2009, seven people died, and forty-five others sustained injuries. All of those accidents involved a moped and some other type of vehicle, so it is possible that there were additional fatalities and injuries from single-vehicle accidents involving lone mopeds.
Mopeds are Not the Same as Motorcycles
Mopeds, scooters and electric bicycles are not the same as motorcycles. States vary in how they classify vehicles, but in many places, a two-wheeled vehicle can only be classified as a moped if it has an engine that is smaller than a statutorily specified size and cannot go any faster than a specified speed. Most states have age requirements for moped use and require that all riders wear helmets. Unfortunately, although mopeds often get used on roads where there is vehicle traffic, drivers' licenses are not always required for moped riders. Some of the people who ride mopeds are not familiar with them because moped rentals are popular in some areas. Unfamiliarity with any vehicle increases accident risk.
Many moped accidents are caused by other drivers. In addition to the typical things that drivers do which cause accidents, such as speeding, distracted driving, and drinking and driving, there are features that are unique to mopeds that increase the risk that another driver will hit them. For example, mopeds are small, so they are harder to see than other vehicles. Also, mopeds stop faster than other vehicles, which increases the chance of a rear-end crash. Some moped accidents happen when the driver of a moped does not see a defect or obstacle in the road, and they hit it. For example, puddles, potholes, and loose gravel can cause mopeds to crash.
Call an Experienced Attorney Today to Arrange an Initial Consultation
If you lost a loved one or you got injured in a moped wreck, you need to know what to do next. You can learn a lot about pursuing a claim for damages related to your moped accident by making time to talk with a dedicated and experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney.
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If you have been injured in any accident caused by someone else's negligence, call Montlick & Associates for your free consultation today to learn about your legal rights and options. Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
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Sources: http://www.timesenterprise.com/news/local_news/teen-succumbs-to-moped-crash-injuries/article_bfe41c19-2f07-529b-9232-0ec6836df19b.html
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