Can Moped or Scooter Drivers Be Held Liable for Accidents they Cause?

 Posted on September 16, 2019 in Accident Liability

For various reasons, not the least being prices of gas going up, more and more motorists in Illinois are looking for alternative means of getting around. As a result, the use of mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles has gone up and continues to increase. However, with increased use of these alternate means of transportation, there is also an increase in the number of accidents associated with them.

Moped Laws in Illinois

Motorized pedal cycles, otherwise commonly referred to as “mopeds” are two wheeled vehicles which are classified as motorcycles under Illinois laws. One can pedal these mopeds like a bicycle or drive them like a motorcycle. Mopeds are not intended to be heavily used or in large numbers on public roadways but there is high enough usage to require laws to regulate them.

In order to be considered as a moped, the vehicle must meet the following criteria:

• Must have an attainable speed in one mile of 30 mph or less
• Must have a motor that produces two horsepower or less
• Must not exceed 50cc of displacement, if it uses an internal combustion engine
• Must not have a power system that requires the operator to shift gears

If all these four conditions are met, then anyone operating the moped can drive it with any valid driver’s license regardless of classification. If not, then the driver of the moped is required to possess a Class L motorcycle license.

Driving Mopeds on Public Roads

Mopeds are allowed on any public road, but they must comply with the same regulations that apply to bicycles used on such roads. Moped drivers must, therefore, obey all traffic signs and travel in the same direction as all other vehicles using the same road.

Mopeds are also required to be insured and must be registered with the state of Illinois.

Illinois Scooter Laws

Scooters are officially classified as motor-driven cycles which can be driven only with a Class L or M license. The law defines motor-driven cycles as any vehicle with two, three, or four wheels and an engine less than 150cc. As in the case of mopeds, motor-driven cycles must also be registered with the state of Illinois and have the required minimum liability insurance coverage.

Because mopeds and scooters are treated like any other vehicle on the road, any accident caused by driving either one is fully compensable as any vehicle accident. This means that in order to collect compensation from a moped or scooter driver, you will need to show that the driver was responsible for the accident that caused your injuries.

A Lake County Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you or a member of your family has been injured in a moped or scooter accident that caused injury, contact an experienced Waukegan personal injury attorney to discuss how we can best represent you in obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries. We know to investigate and establish facts that could be very helpful in getting you all the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation by calling 847-662-3303. At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., we collect our fees only when you collect compensation.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K1-148.2

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K1-145.001.htm