Arkansas Moped Accident Lawyers
Arkansas law gives you specific rights after an accident, but those rights only protect you if you understand them and act on time. We provide free consultations to everyone, allowing you to get answers to your questions from a lawyer who has seen it all. When the unthinkable happens, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. at (479) 888-5098 for experienced legal assistance with your moped accident claim.
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Whether it is to get to work, go get groceries, visit a friend, or just go out for a ride, E-bikes, Vespas, and Mopeds have become a popular alternative to cars and other vehicles. In Fort Smith, the Ride 4 Smiles program recognizes the importance of residents being able to get around town easily. The program offers a low-cost bike-sharing service to areas where many residents report needing a vehicle or access to public transportation.
Unfortunately, there has been a sharp rise in accidents involving this form of travel. Severe traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries often occur from these types of accidents. Our attorneys are ready to investigate your case at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield. We will determine the next best step in securing a treatment plan and fighting for fair compensation for your injuries and suffering.
What is Considered a Motorized Vehicle?
Motorized vehicles include Mopeds, E-bikes, and Vespas. E-bikes are typically referred to as bicycles with electric motors and operational pedals. The fastest class of E-bike travels up to 28 mph. A driver’s license is not required to operate one, but the rider must be at least 16 years old.
Injuries sustained in accidents involving E-bikes, E-Scooters, and hoverboards resulted in close to 200,000 ER visits in the nation between 2017 and 2020, according to a U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study.
Fayetteville Moped Accident Statistics
Recent statistics revealed that scooter crashes in Fayetteville involved a total of 116 accidents, 51 that the scooter driver caused. Of the 116 accidents, 91 of the Moped drivers were not insured. Injuries sustained in these accidents are typically serious, and the risk of riding such vehicles is increased significantly because no law in place in Arkansas mandates a Moped, E-scooter, or E-Bike rider to have a license if the vehicle is under 50ccs.
Two other factors raise the level of concern about accidents involving these vehicles in Arkansas include:
- Individuals aged fourteen may drive a Moped or E-bike; and
- Riders aged twenty-one or older are not legally required to wear a helmet.
These situations are even more difficult for an uninsured motorized vehicle rider. This is because any motorized vehicle under 50 ccs is not required to have insurance by law. Fayetteville does require all scooters ridden in the city to have liability insurance. Provisions like this are not available in other parts of the state.
Electric Bike Injury Statistics
E-bike riders are more likely to suffer internal injuries and be hospitalized. Powered scooter users had higher rates of concussion. E-bike injuries were more than three times more likely to involve a collision with a pedestrian than scooter or traditional bike injuries.
One study revealed that there were 245 million injuries reported, with 130,797 of them involving powered-scooter accidents. There were 3,075 e-bike injuries and about 9.4 million pedal bicycle injuries. The largest proportion of people involved in e-bike accidents were 18-44- and 45–64-year-olds, and 10–14-year-olds were the largest group injured from using a powered scooter.
Seventeen percent of those involved in an electric bike accident sustained internal injuries compared to 7.5 percent of those involved in a collision with a pedal bike or powered scooter.
Whymopeds and Vespas are dangerous
Despite alternative mobility choices and their appeal to a broad section of the population, there is a rising number of injury accidents involving mopeds, Vespas, and e-bikes. Accidents involving these modes of transportation.
Internal injuries
According to a 17-year study conducted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), people riding E-bikes were more likely to sustain internal injuries and end up hospitalized compared to regular pedal bicycle riders. The major reason for E-bike injuries is the vehicle’s speed and the fall.
Speed
As a physician explained, a motorized form of a “bike” can reach speeds anywhere from 15-20 mph. A fall at that speed does far more internal damage than a fall off a bicycle that may be going 4-5 mph. The force of a fall while doing up to 20 mph is multiplied. The results are worse injuries.
Comparing Vespas to e-bikes
Vespas are made-in-Italy motor scooters that can be driven on highways, but it’s generally not a good idea to do so. They’re not expensive and thus are an attractive option for transportation. They tend to have bigger engines and a capacity for greater speeds. Although small and speedy, there offer zero protection for riders or passengers. Most collisions with Vespas involved are fatalities. For those who survive, the injuries can be catastrophic.
If you are injured on a Moped or Vespa, the personal injury attorneys at Jason M. Hatfield are here to help. We bring years of experience and can determine who is responsible for your injuries.
Comparing e-bike accidents to motorcycle accidents
A 2021 Journal of Clinical Medicine article discussing E-bike injuries revealed that E-bikes are increasingly involved in traffic accidents and collisions with pedestrians.
The study evaluated 67 E-bike, 1141 bicycle, and 588 motorcycle accidents for injury patterns. The results indicated that E-biker’s injuries resembled those of bicyclists more than motorcyclists. E-bike accident survivors were approximately 14 years older and had a higher incidence of moderate traumatic brain injuries than those involved in bicycle accidents.
Pelvic injuries in E-bike accidents were twice as high as in bicycle accidents. Upper body extremity injuries were higher in the wake of a bicycle accident. E-bike injuries are similar to that sustained by bicyclists, and the older the rider, the increased prevalence of brain trauma.
Types of motorized e-bike, moped, and Vespa accident injuries
Reports from the National Trauma Registry ceased in 2016, but their database reported 549 E-bike injuries between 2014 and 2015. According to the data, 65 percent of injured patients sustained orthopedic injuries involving the lower extremities, such as fractures and broken bones. Other injuries may include, but not be limited to:
Lower body spinal cord injuries, or pelvic fractures
Fractured or broken arms or legs
Dislocations of the shoulder, wrist, hand, and elbow
Cerebral trauma
Face, head and neck injuries
Abdominal trauma and internal bleeding
Who was at-fault in my moped crash?
Going it alone in the early stages after a moped, e-bike, or Vespa crash is not recommended, as each situation is complicated by fault, the type of insurance available, and the potential outcome for those involved. Who is accountable for an E-bike crash? It may be the at-fault vehicle driver, another cyclist, or a pedestrian. Claims may be made for injuries suffered in collisions caused by a car, another e-bike or moped rider, or a pedestrian.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we can guide you through the confusing process of what to do after a Moped, E-bike, or Vespa crash. We explain how the insurance situation can affect you depending on who is at fault, what insurance you carry on your vehicle and the case’s circumstances. Talk to us. We do have the answers.
How to File a Moped, E-Bike, or Vespa Arkansas Claim
Filing a claim for injuries sustained in a motorized vehicle is similar to filing a claim for personal injuries sustained in a car accident. Generally speaking, the at-fault vehicle driver, whether that happens to be a Moped, E-Bike, or Vespa rider, is held responsible for the collision. As with other personal injury claims, the key element that needs to be present in these types of cases is that there was negligence involved.
Arkansas is an at-fault state, which means the person who caused the crash is also responsible for damages and injuries to the injured individual. What is also important in Arkansas is that it is an “add-on” state for no-fault car insurance. This means drivers must carry at-fault liability coverage, but they may also add additional no-fault coverage. The no-fault liability policy helps pay damages and medical bills. It does not matter who caused the crash.
While this sounds relatively straightforward, it is not easy to collect compensation even with the right type of insurance policy and even without proving who caused the accident. You must choose personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to get additional insurance in Arkansas. Usually, if an individual is hurt in a crash, they would turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance for payment.
Arkansas also has no-fault car insurance that covers expenses even if you caused the accident – meaning there is no need to prove negligence or prove who caused the accident to file a claim. Succinctly put, having insurance on board is beneficial when filing a motorized vehicle injury accident claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield Today
If you were involved in an E-bike, Moped, Scooter, or Vespa crash, contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield by calling (479) 361-3575. Our dedicated team of E-bike, Moped and Vespa accident lawyers is here to help.
Call us today for a free initial consultation and to find out what you can expect should you file a personal injury lawsuit. We know you have questions, and we can answer them for you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is just one quick call away: (479) 361-3575.