April 6, 2015- Chesterfield, VA
A man was rushed to VCU Medical Center after his moped was struck by a drunk driver in Chesterfield.
NBC12 reports that the accident occurred around 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning on Jefferson Davis Highway near the 288 intersection, when a white Nissan four-door crashed into the moped. While the driver of the moped is expected to recover, the driver of the white Nissan faces DUI charges related to the incident.
Mopeds and scooters have become a popular form of transportation nationwide, especially for drivers looking to save on gas money. However, mopeds are slower moving vehicles that usually have a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour and offer little protection to riders. Therefore, moped drivers who become involved in traffic accidents are exposed to increased risk of serious injury.
Virginia law proscribes certain requirements specific to the operation of mopeds on public roadways. In Virginia, drivers must be 16 years of age or older to operate a moped. Every moped driver operating on Virginia roadways must also carry a government-issued photo ID (which does not have to be a driver’s license).
Furthermore, every driver and passenger must wear a helmet while riding a moped. Drivers must also wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles unless the moped has a windshield. Perhaps most importantly, the operation of mopeds is prohibited on the interstate.
If you or a loved one is injured while driving or riding on a moped as a result of another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages. Call the dedicated, experienced personal injury attorneys at ReidGoodwin today to schedule your free case evaluation.