Does Insurance Cover Moped Accidents in Miami?

Mopeds and scooters are rapidly gaining popularity throughout South Florida. Florida law defines a scooter as “any vehicle not having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, that is designed to travel on not more than three wheels, and that is not capable of surpassing a speed that is greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground.” In contrast, Florida law defines a moped as “any vehicle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels, with a motor rated not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground, and with a power-drive system that functions without clutching or shifting gears by the operator after the drive system is engaged. If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.” The major difference between a scooter and a moped is that a moped can be operated legally on roadways and while a registration is required, no title is required. Small mopeds and scooters offer a great alternative for South Floridians who need a fuel-efficient way to get around town. Additionally, tourists are known to rent mopeds while visiting South Beach and Downtown Miami. As a result, moped accidents are becoming more and more frequent in South Florida and it is due to many different factors. In some cases, moped accidents are caused by inexperienced first-time moped owners. In other  instances, moped accidents are caused by tourists who are unfamiliar with the city. In addition, mopeds are extremely lightweight and lack the stability of other types of motor-powered vehicles like motorcycles. This means that when an accident occurs, the injuries can be extremely serious. One of the major issues is visibility as many drivers claim they don’t notice that mopeds on the road. For example, if a moped operator enters a car’s blind spot, it is unlikely that the driver will be able to see the moped at all times. Another commonly cited issue is that since mopeds are so quiet in comparison to motorcycles, drivers often don’t realize that a moped may be approaching. If you or someone you love is injured in an accident involving a moped or scooter, you should consider hiring an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you navigate through the entire process. In this blog post, we will answer a question that I often get from many clients “Does insurance cover moped accidents?”

Insurance Coverage for Moped Accidents

Normally, Florida law allows for drivers who sustain injuries in a car accident to seek compensation from their own auto insurer. This is not the case when it comes to accidents involving a moped or a scooter. Moped operators aren’t required to have the same breadth of as operators of cars and motorcycles. One of the most important issues is the lack of personal injury protection coverage. If an insured is involved in a moped accident, chances are you are not going to be covered under your PIP benefits. This is because in Florida, insurance companies are allowed to exclude mopeds, scooters, etc. from falling under the personal injury protection umbrella as they are usually categorized as a non-motor vehicle or bicycle. For the purposes of interpreting an automobile liability policy in Florida, a moped is considered to be a bicycle, not a motor vehicle or self-propelled vehicle. Similarly, a moped is not a vehicle or selfpropelled vehicle for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. This allows motor vehicle insurance contracts to exclude mopeds and scooters from obtaining PIP coverage by categorizing them as non-motor vehicle. However, if you were injured while operating or riding a moped, there may still be coverage under your automobile policy. If your moped has an output of 50cc or less, you are not required to carry insurance coverage in Florida, but it is probably a good idea to obtain a separate policy for your moped just in case. For those who carry insurance, a policy can be purchased to include medical payment insurance coverage. If medical payment insurance is purchased, this insurance would most likely be the primary source of payment before the atfault party’s insurance coverage would kick in.

Contact a Miami Personal Injury Attorney Today!

The Law Offices of Suarez & Montero Car Accident Lawyers believes that all victims who have sustained injuries due to another person’s negligence deserve to be properly compensated for their damages. If someone’s negligence caused your injury while you were riding or operating a moped or scooter, let us help you get the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and any other damages you may be entitled to. Our skillful attorneys are genuinely committed to our clients. We will fight to make sure that you get the maximum amount of compensation owed to you. Working with a skilled car accident lawyer in Florida can make all the difference in your case. If you have additional questions about your personal injury case, you should contact an experienced Miami car accident attorney today! The attorneys at Suarez & Montero protect your rights, understand how the insurance claims process works and know how  to present a strong personal injury claim. We encourage you to reach out so that we can explain more about the different ways that our law firm and attorneys can provide legal help and guidance with your car accident claim. Make an appointment with us at one of our many locations. Our skillful attorneys are genuinely committed to our clients. We will fight to make sure that you get the maximum amount of compensation owed to you. If you were injured in a moped accident in South Florida and need a skilled personal injury attorney, let us help you get the medical care you need and fight to make sure you are compensated for your injuries! Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.

We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:

Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.

Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.