DC Moped Accident Lawyer
A DC moped accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb can help you through the claims process and advocate on your behalf. Unfortunately, the injuries that result from a moped accident can be severe. This is due to the disproportionate damage that a car or truck can cause to a moped compared to the damage a moped does to a larger vehicle. This disproportionate size and weight can lead to serious injury to moped riders. Unlike larger vehicles, mopeds offer little protection in the event of a crash, leaving riders vulnerable to severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and other long-term impacts. Even in Washington, DC, where speeds may be lower on most roads, suffering a life-altering injury does not require much speed.
At Gelb & Gelb, we understand the unique challenges you face daily while riding a moped. Perhaps you ride your moped to work as a fuel-efficient means of transportation. Or, perhaps, you ride your moped to run errands in the warmer months. Unfortunately, Washington, DC, is full of stressed drivers enduring long commutes. This can lead to impatience on the road and aggressive driving. When a car drives aggressively, accidents are more likely to occur. Worse yet, when a car is driving more aggressively, they are less likely even to notice a moped ahead of them. Below, we discuss the challenges of visibility for moped riders, difficulty controlling the vehicle with a passenger, and more.
If you are in a moped accident in the District, contact a DC moped accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb immediately for a free consultation.
Laws Governing Mopeds in Washington, DC
You are subject to certain laws when riding a motorcycle in Washington, DC. While these laws may seem counterintuitive, you must abide by them. First, you may not travel in the bike lane on a moped. You may believe that because a moped is close to the same speed as an e-bike, like a Capital Bikeshare bicycle, you would be permitted to ride in the bike lane, but that is not the case. Furthermore, you may not travel on trails or sidewalks. However, there is an exception. You may park on the sidewalk outside of the central business district. Lastly, you must use your headlights, day and night, while on a moped.
You must also abide by other laws to lawfully operate a moped in Washington, DC.
- You must get your moped inspected for emissions every two years in DC.
- You must have a driver’s license to operate a moped in DC.
- You must insure your moped to operate it in Washington, DC.
- You must register your moped with the Department of Motor Vehicles of Washington, DC. The registration fee is $30.
- You must wear a helmet to operate a moped in DC.
- You may park your moped on the sidewalk as long as it is outside the central business district, not attached to a tree, box, or planting area, does not block pedestrians, and maintains an ADA-compliant clearance from any other obstruction.
- A moped is classified legally as a motorcycle when driven at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour.
The Challenges of Visibility for Moped Riders

Like runners, moped riders face the challenge of being harder to detect for drivers. Your biggest risk on the road when on a moped is either yourself or it is other drivers. If you are the passenger on a moped and the driver of your moped negligently causes an accident, you may have a viable claim against that driver. Besides this common scenario, the most common issue is when a driver does not notice you. This may be because you are in the blind spot of a larger vehicle like a truck. Or, your headlights are insufficient to alert other drivers of your presence properly. Due to the smaller size, a moped is harder to detect than almost any other vehicle. This is especially true when a truck driver’s eyes naturally look for a full-sized vehicle, not a moped.
The other side of this is when a moped is driving recklessly. Remember that if you recklessly operate a moped, you may be unable to recover against a third party. You may be susceptible to a contributory negligence defense. For example, many mopeds weave between traffic on congested roads. They do this to ride through traffic quickly. However, a moped driver considering these tactics must consider whether they are negligent as they may lose their right to recovery if they are in an accident.
Inadequate Protective Gear and Its Impact on Moped Accidents
If you are in an accident going 40 miles per hour on a moped, it should come as no surprise that this will likely result in a more severe accident for you than if you are in a similarly weighted vehicle as the one that hits you. This is due, in no small part, to the disproportionate size and weight of the two vehicle types. The typical moped weighs between 150 and 200 pounds. Contrast this with the typical pick-up truck weighing between 5,000 and 7,500 pounds. On the high end of the spectrum, the pickup weighs about 37 times more than the moped. That is enough to cause permanent damage to a moped rider.
But there is another component to the injuries one may incur in a moped accident. That is the lack of safety technology available to a moped rider. Moped users should inherently understand that a moped is less safe. One part of the reason is the lack of technology that fits into such a small vehicle. Despite the inadequate technology, the moped shares the same roads as the cars, pickups, and 18-wheelers. This makes the lack of safety technology a problem for all moped users.
While there is little we can do to protect riders before an accident happens, if one does happen and you are not at fault, be sure to consult with a DC moped accident lawyer immediately.
Parking and Curbside Accidents Involving Mopeds
Undeniably, visibility is one of the many aspects of riding a moped that makes it inherently dangerous. Although, so long as your headlights are on and you have working taillights, you should be noticed while driving straight down a road. But what if you are just entering a roadway? A curbside accident requires assistance from a skilled DC moped accident lawyer. Unfortunately, if you enter the roadway from a parking space, you may be required to yield to oncoming traffic. If this is the case, you may be at fault. But as always, it is best to consult an attorney to understand your legal options.
Curbside accidents are also common when mopeds are parked in bike lanes or at the edge of sidewalks. Distracted drivers, or those unfamiliar with moped parking spots, might clip a parked moped while turning or misjudge the space needed to pull out of a parking spot.
Speak with a DC Moped Accident Lawyer
A DC moped accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb can evaluate the viability of your claim and walk you through the next steps of the legal process. We aim to maximize compensation for your injuries.
Call our office today for a free consultation at (202) 331-7227.
