The Dangers of Negligent Drivers
Moped accidents are extremely similar to motorcycle crashes. Both rides lack the safety features of a larger vehicle, such as airbags and crumple zones, and riders have to trust that other drivers will not hit them. Unfortunately, the majority of moped and motorcycle accidents are the fault of negligent drivers. This is largely due to the size and speed of these vehicles.
Mopeds are significantly smaller than the average four-door sedan and are not as loud, meaning other drivers may not notice them if they are in a vehicle’s blind spot. If a driver fails to check her blind spots or rear-view mirrors, she may sideswipe a moped while changing lanes. Mopeds are also low-powered vehicles that travel at lower speeds. If the driver of a truck or car speeds, he could cause a serious rear-end collision and throw a moped rider over the handlebars.
At the end of the day, moped riders are often at the mercy of other drivers, who can cause an accident by:
- Failing to check blind spots
- Failing to check rearview mirrors while backing out of a driveway
- Driving while intoxicated
- Using a phone while driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Speeding
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Opening a door in front of oncoming traffic and bike lanes
Any of these actions can severely injure a moped rider, resulting in costly medical bills, weeks to months of lost wages, a lifetime of pain and suffering, and debilitating disabilities.
Over $50M Recovered in the Past Seven Years
At the Tenge Law Firm LLC, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for our clients as soon as possible. Each case and each client is different, so we work directly with clients to meet their needs for medical care and personal situations. We have enjoyed great success, with exceedingly high client satisfaction, using this approach.
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$3,250,000 Rollover auto accident involving defective roof and serious injuries
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$1,475,000 Auto accident with head, neck and back injuries
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$950,000 Car accident with brain injury and orthopedic injuries
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$750,000 Policy Limits – Low speed auto accident leading to minor stroke
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$533,000 Trial Verdict - Client hit by airborne patio umbrella with facial scar and concussion.
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$450,000 Pedestrian hit by car
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$300,000 Four-car accident resulting in vertebral fracture and facial injuries
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$200,000 Auto accident with facial injuries
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$120,000 Slip-and-fall at fast food restaurant
Hundreds of 5-star Reviews. Exceptional Results
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"They treated me like family"
Todd, Liz and Nina were amazing. They handled my case very professionally. I recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a great firm. They treated me like family
- Jenn K. -
"Definitely made it a stress-free experience"
Brenda was my attorney. She was amazing, helped me through the whole process. Definitely made it a stress-free experience, especially after going through something so traumatic! Was extremely attentive and always kept me updated on how my case was going! I would 1000% recommend them to everyone and anyone!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
- Zitlaly O. -
"Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient"
I highly recommend this law firm! They take care of everything in a timely manner & alleviate any harassment while you recover from injuries. Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient...if you need an attorney, Tenge Law is the place to go!
- Betty C. -
"They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well."
Paige and Nina were a delight to work with. They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well. They made me feel like I was in good hands and could trust them!
- Rachel V. -
"Would highly recommend to anyone!!"
Tenge Law Firm helped me out when I was in a accident that involved my whole family. They were great and fast with the entire process, and were awesome at keeping me updated throughout the entire process. Would highly recommend to anyone!!
- Zack K.
Common Injuries for Moped Riders
While moped riders typically suffer similar injuries as motorcyclists, they tend to have fewer protections on the road. For one, moped riders are not required to wear a helmet by law and may choose not to because their vehicles are slower than most other electric bikes. Many are not as experienced as most motorcyclists and may not wear other safety gear, such as padded clothing, gloves, and boots. Lastly, mopeds lack many of the advanced features that protect motorcyclists. Modern motorcycles are designed with anti-lock brakes, larger tires, and have more mobility when compared to mopeds.
Based on these facts, moped riders can suffer catastrophic injuries like:
- Severe trauma to the spinal column
- Road rash
- Lost limbs or amputations
- Multiple fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries and closed head wounds
- Deglovings
Sadly, many moped accidents are fatal. In such tragic accidents, family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company in order to recover compensation for funeral expenses, any medical bills incurred prior to their loved one’s death, loss of consortium, and other damages.
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Reviews
When our clients are happy, they say so. Whether we’re being described for how well we communicate, our responsiveness, or the quality of our service, we’re consistently rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by those we represent.
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Ratings
As an industry leader in the field of personal injury, we're proud to maintain a superb 10.0 out of 10.0 rating on AVVO.com, have a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and have recently been awarded Client Champion Platinum status from Lawyers.com.
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Results
In the last ten years, we've recovered $50 million on behalf of our clients. Our motto is simple - You do what you need to do physically recover, and we'll handle the rest.
Colorado’s Moped Laws
The state of Colorado categorizes mopeds as “low-powered scooters” that utilize two to three wheels, do not have a manual clutch, and can be powered by either gasoline or an electric battery. Based on this legal definition, mopeds are not considered motor vehicles, motorcycles, or bicycles and operate in their own unique category. They are treated in the same way as electric scooters like Lyme or Bird.
To operate a moped in Colorado, riders are required to:
- Have a driver’s license, or a minor’s driver’s license if they are under the age of 18
- Wear a helmet if they are under 18
- Have an applicable insurance policy for the moped or a certificate of self-insurance
- Register the moped with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
In addition, the city of Boulder has its own laws regarding moped and electric scooter use, as outlined by Boulder Revised Code Chapter 7-4, which include:
- Moped and electric scooter riders must display a stopping signal through hand gestures (extending the left arm downward) or brake lights
- Drivers can pass a moped in the same lane so long as they keep a three-foot distance between their vehicle and the moped
- Moped riders cannot lane-split or ride between lanes
- Moped riders cannot overtake or pass four-wheel vehicles in the same lane
- Moped riders may overtake or pass other mopeds, motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters in the same lane when it is safe to do so
Mopeds can be insured under motorcycle, moped, or scooter insurance policies, which may vary depending on the insurance company. These policies are required to include liability insurance, but they can also include collision coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), and medical payment coverage (MedPay). If you have UM/UIM or MedPay as part of your insurance policy, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident or need immediate treatment for your injuries.
Why You Should Call an Attorney
Given the lack of protection for moped riders, accidents are often devastating. Riders can be left with costly medical bills and may need weeks to months of physical therapy to fully recover. This means just as much time out of work and being unable to pay for basic expenses, such as rent, groceries, and utilities. However, if your injuries were caused by a negligent driver, a skilled and experienced Boulder motorcycle accident attorney can advocate for full compensation from the insurance company.
At the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, our firm has helped multiple injured moped riders recover proper compensation after a serious accident. Based on our 30 years of experience, we understand the claims process inside and out and can provide in-depth legal guidance to you. We also work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay us a single dollar unless we win your claim.
To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (303) 219-7377.
