Moped Accidents

Dedicated Moped Accident Lawyers in Waipahu, HI

You don't need to deal with the fallout of a catastrophic moped accident alone. Our experienced legal team is here to assist you along the way.

Moped Accident Lawyer in Waipahu, Hawaii

Moped Accident Lawyer in Waipahu, Hawaii

moped drivers licenseMopeds are a popular way to get around in Waipahu, but they can also be dangerous. Mopeds are small and offer less protection to riders. Motorists who aren’t careful run the risk of striking and seriously injuring riders, sometimes fatally.

Were you hurt in a Waipahu moped accident? Hawaii law allows moped drivers to seek compensation to help cover the cost of crash-related expenses such as medical costs, lost wages, moped damage, and pain and suffering. However, it can be difficult to persuade the insurance company to provide a fair payout. An experienced moped accident attorney can fight for the results you deserve.

Talk to Recovery Law Center today. Our accomplished lawyers provide comprehensive and quality legal help to accident victims in Waipahu and throughout Oahu. If you’re looking for a compassionate yet fierce legal representation, we’re the law firm for you. Contact us today for a free case review.

Are Mopeds Legal in Waipahu?

Mopeds are legal in Waipahu and throughout Hawaii. They are generally treated the same as motorcycles under the law, with a few notable exceptions. For example, mopeds are permitted on streets, but not freeways. If a bike lane is available, moped riders are encouraged to use the bike lane along with bikers and scooterists.

Do You Need a License to Drive a Moped in Waipahu?

You must have a valid driver’s license if you wish to operate a moped in Waipahu. If you only plan to drive a moped, then a Class 1 license will suffice, though you can legally operate a moped with any class of driver’s license.

Drivers under 18 are required to pass driver’s education training. Out-of-state licensed drivers must be at least 18 years to drive a moped in Hawaii legally.

quote icon

Common Injuries Experienced in Moped Accidents

Because mopeds riders are largely unprotected in an accident, victims of these kinds of accidents typically suffer much more severe injuries than occupants of cars or trucks – even in accidents that occur at a low rate of speed.

Some of the common injuries seen in moped accidents include:

Broken Bones

Mopeds don’t offer a rider much protection, so broken bones often result from moped accidents.

Severed Extremities

When severed extremities are involved, they may occur on impact or as a result of severe damage that requires surgical amputation.

Joint and Ligament Injuries

Joint injuries can include dislocated knees, hips, elbows, or shoulders, while damage to ligaments and tendons often include Achilles tendon injuries, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, or rotator cuff injuries.

Neck and Back Injuries

Slipped spinal discs, radiculopathy, or fractured vertebrae often result from moped crashes.

Head and Brain Injuries

Moped riders often suffer fractured skulls, brain bleeds, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI), such as concussions and coma.

Spinal Injuries and Paralysis

These severe injuries can be caused by swelling and inflammation or by damage to the spinal cord itself, which may result in paralysis such as paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Is Moped Insurance Required?

Insurance is not required for two-wheeled mopeds. However, you will need motorcycle liability insurance and property coverage if the moped is a three-wheeler.

If you rent a moped from a moped rental service, then the renter must provide liability insurance with the moped. Failure to do so can result in steep penalties.

What Are the Dangers of Mopeds?

waipahu moped accidentsMopeds, like motorcycles, do not have the safety features that passenger vehicles do. As a result, moped riders generally receive the full brunt of the impact when collisions occur, resulting in catastrophic injuries to the rider.

Though only required for riders under 18, moped riders should always wear a Department of Transportation approved helmet that fits snugly and has a chin or neck strap. A helmet can help prevent traumatic brain injuries or damage to the skull in an accident. Wearing a jacket, sturdy boots, durable pants, and eye protection provides extra security to moped riders.

What Should You Do After a Moped Accident in Waipahu?

The aftermath of a moped accident can be confusing and stressful. After a crash, learning what to do can help you protect your physical health and your right to compensation.

Consider taking the following steps after a Waipahu moped accident:

  • Seek medical care: Take care of any injuries first. Call 911 and seek medical attention. If you don’t need emergency care, see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out hidden injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or internal injuries. Insurance companies also usually require that you be seen within a reasonable amount of time after an accident to claim compensation. If you fail to seek out prompt medical attention, the insurer may try to deny your claim.
  • Collect evidence: Proof is critical in any moped accident claim. Take photos and videos at the accident scene. Include shots of your injuries and any environmental evidence (e.g., road debris, open alcohol containers, etc.) that may tell the story of how the accident happened. Make sure to get the insurance and contact information for all parties involved, as well as the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. This information will help your moped accident attorney build a solid injury claim.
  • Contact a Waipahu moped accident attorney: Representing yourself, even to an insurance company, is never a good idea after a crash. Talking to a skilled moped accident attorney will give you an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your claim. A lawyer can also handle all talks with the insurer for you. That way, you won’t be trapped into saying something that could put your chances of full and fair compensation at risk.
  • Keep a record of accident-related expenses: You could recover compensation for medical bills, medication receipts, lost wages, moped repair estimates, rehabilitation costs, and other losses stemming from the moped crash. Get a copy of the police accident report to assist your lawyer with investigating your claim.
  • Stick to your treatment plan: Follow your doctor’s recommendations for recovering in the days, weeks, and months after the accident. Failing to do so could give the at-fault party’s insurance company cause to doubt your injury claim.
  • Document your injuries in a pain journal: A written record of your recovery period explains how the moped accident impacted your life. Make notes about your injuries, improvements in your condition, and details about how you are feeling. Keeping a diary can support your claim while your memory is fresh.
  • Don’t accept the first settlement offer: The initial offer is usually much lower than what you deserve. A moped accident lawyer can collect the evidence necessary to argue why you are entitled to every penny you demand.
What Damages Are Available After a Moped Accident Injury?

What Damages Are Available After a Moped Accident Injury?

If you are the victim of a moped accident, you could be entitled to recover both financial and non-financial damages, including:

  • Medical costs
  • Lost income and benefits
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Moped and other property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Punitive damages, in rare cases

What a Moped Accident Lawyer in Waipahu Can Do for You

Driving a moped is risky, but you have rights if someone else’s negligence caused an accident that injured you. Get Recovery Law Center on your side. Our Waipahu moped accident lawyers have the skills and experience necessary to build a strong case for maximum compensation for you. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by scheduling a free consultation. Call or contact us today.

Common Causes of Moped Accidents in Waipahu, HI

Common causes of moped accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Both riders of mopeds and drivers of larger vehicles can be distracted while driving and cause an accident. Common distractions include conversations with fellow passengers, changing music, eating, and texting or other cell phone use.

Driving Under the Influence

Moped riders and other vehicle drivers can also get into accidents when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating their vehicles.

Speeding

A driver of another vehicle may speed and lose control or be unable to avoid slower mopeds on the road.

Lack of Visibility

Drivers of other vehicles may fail to see smaller mopeds as they change lanes or make turns.

Lane-splitting

Vehicles sometimes fail to give mopeds the full width of the lane.

Inability to Judge a Moped’s Speed

Drivers who are accustomed to characteristics of larger vehicles’ performance and braking may fail to recognize that mopeds aren’t traveling as quickly and that they have a much shorter braking distance.

Poor Road Conditions

Wet, slick roads, standing water, and potholes can all cause moped riders to lose control and crash.

What a Moped Accident Lawyer Can  Do for You

When you are recovering from a moped traffic collision, how much time and energy do you have to spend on fighting with insurance companies to pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries? Our Waipahu moped accident attorney, Glenn Honda, is prepared to take on the burden of fighting for the compensation and justice you deserve, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to your job, family, and life.

We don’t just help with your financial recovery. We also work to support your physical and emotional healing as well. We’ll fight for your right to medical care, working with your health care providers to keep them informed about the status of your claim and to calculate future medical expenses you may incur long after your claim is resolved.

The team at the Recovery Law Center can investigate the causes of your accident, identify all parties that may be responsible for your injuries, and document the losses you’ve suffered from your injuries. Our Waipahu moped accident lawyers will be prepared to negotiate with the insurance companies and defense lawyers to try to get a fair settlement, and we’ll take your case to trial if necessary.

If you have been the victim of a moped accident, contact the Waipahu moped accident attorneys of the Recovery Law Center today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.

Our Awards

Recovery Law Center Injury & Accident Attorneys

Get Your Free Consultation