home personal injury motorcycle accidents moped accident

Santa Barbara Moped Injury Lawyers

Help for People Injured in Santa Barbara Moped and Motorized Scooter Accidents

Santa Barbara is the perfect place for riding an electric bike or scooter thanks to our scenic views; they are, however, still considered motor vehicles and need to be treated with caution to avoid serious injuries. Other motorists on the road, especially those in larger vehicles, need to share the road with people on mopeds, e-bikes, and e-scooters and help them avoid collisions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a motorized scooter and another person was at fault, you can hold them accountable for their actions. It is important to act promptly, however, and not talk to or agree to anything with an insurance company until you speak with a Santa Barbara personal injury lawyer. Call NordstrandBlack PC at (866) 298-2041 to discuss the options available to you in a free consultation.

Back To Top

Rules for Riders

People who operate mopeds, motorized bicycles, and motorized scooters in Southern California must drive responsibly. Since these vehicles have motors and are not powered by pedals or feet, they are considered motor vehicles. Riders have to obey traffic laws and follow all signs and other traffic directions while riding around.

Riders in Santa Barbara cannot go onto sidewalks with a moped or e-scooter, as that would be a serious danger to pedestrians. They should yield to pedestrians and follow directions from police officers when they are directing traffic. Finally, no one should operate a moped while intoxicated. When they do, they can be held liable for the injuries they cause, including punitive damages.

Back To Top

Rules for Drivers

When a person is using a moped responsibly, it is important for other drivers to share the road and recognize the moped is a vehicle. Drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs can sometimes be aggressive around mopeds, which is negligent behavior. While on a moped or motor scooter, riders are exposed, and any collision with a vehicle can result in catastrophic injuries.

Back To Top

Liability for Moped and Motorized Scooter Accidents

After a collision or a fall onto the asphalt, it is important to determine who is responsible. In legal terms, negligence refers to an action or inaction that is not what a reasonable person would do in the same situation. Both the operation of a moped while intoxicated, driving at excessively high speeds, and a driver who does not yield to an electric bicycle with the right-of-way should be considered negligent.

A driver is liable when his negligence directly caused or contributed to an accident. For example, a driver behind a moped goes too fast, well beyond the posted speed limit, and strikes the moped. Since the driver was being negligent by driving at excessive speeds, he can be held liable for the moped operator’s medical costs and other expenses due to the collision.

Brain injuries are common in moped accidents, even when helmets were used. It is often difficult to identify a brain injury, which may be sudden. Symptoms may include lethargy, depression, lack of focus, and difficulty multitasking.

Back To Top

Speak to a Santa Barbara Moped Accident Lawyer

Any auto accident can be serious, but since moped drivers lack the protection of a larger vehicle, serious injuries are common in such cases. It is important to hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions and seek compensation to pay for medical bills, make up for missed time at work, or even help account for the loss of a loved one. Call NordstrandBlack PC at (866) 298-2041 and speak to a Santa Barbara car accident attorney.

Back To Top

Additional Information