Collier & Collier

Protecting the rights of injured persons since 1973

Mopeds v. Motorcycles

News

vespa-573514_640Mopeds are a popular commuter vehicle here in Richmond. Their low-profile size makes them easy to park, electric motors make them efficient and cheap to use, and they allow motorists to bypass several fees in the registration process. But what else does the DMV of Virginia have to say about mopeds?

Registration and License:

Mopeds are defined by the Virginia code as any vehicle with less than three wheels that displaces less than 50 ccs and has a seat that is less than 24 inches in height.

DMV will issue one license plate per moped to be placed on the rear of the vehicle. When titling a moped, you will be requested to complete a Moped Certification exam indicating how you intend to operate the vehicle. However, the DMV will not require/collect the following for mopeds:

  • Electric vehicle fee
  • Insurance
  • Odometer reading
  • Safety inspection
  • Sales and use tax (You will still have to pay retail sales tax if you purchase a moped in Virginia; however, mopeds are exempt from personal property tax)

It is important to note that if a moped is operated in excess of 35 mph, it is considered a motorcycle. You would be required to comply with all motorcycle vehicle registration, insurance and inspection requirements.

Safety Requirements:

Due to the lack of safety devices installed on mopeds, the DMV of Virginia requires several safety precautions while operating one.

  • Virginia law requires that every moped driver driving on Virginia roadways carry a government-issued photo ID (does not have to be a drivers license)
  • 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.
  • Operation of mopeds is prohibited on the interstate

Regarding DUIs:

While under most circumstances, a moped is not considered a motor vehicle it is noted in the law as one when specifically referring to DWI and DUI offenses. So you cannot drive a moped while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

  • It is illegal to drive a moped if your license is suspended or revoked for convictions of DUI, underage consumption of alcohol, refusing a blood/breath test, or driving while suspended/revoked for a DUI-related offense
  • If your driving privilege is suspended or revoked due to a DUI-related conviction, you must be in full compliance with all requirements imposed by DMV and the court before operating a moped

If your license has been revoked or you have been involved in a Moped or motorcycle accident, contact the law offices of Collier & Collier right away at 1-804-364-5200 or toll free at 1-877-825-0543 for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let us put our resources to work for you.

DUIThe end of the year means more cocktail parties, gift exchange events and late-night get-togethers. These events will likely involve some amount of festive alcoholic beverages and, in turn, the risk of getting a DUI drastically increases during the holiday season. According to the NHTSA, during the Christmas and New Year period, the average number of fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver rises by 34%.

Make sure you can enjoy the festivities without incurring a DUI by planning ahead to avoid drinking and driving. If you know you are attending an event with alcohol, there are certain tips you can use before and during the get-together to have a great time and stay safe.

  • Assign a designated driver beforehand.
  • Entrust your keys to the host of the event or other responsible person as soon as you get there.
  • Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water and food. Stop drinking alcohol during the last two hours of the event.
  • Remember there is no stigma attached to deciding not to drink at a party. If you dont want the task of finding alternate transportation home, your best option is to not drink.
  • Keep a list of nearby cab companies in your wallet or saved on your smartphone. Dial 1-800-TAXI-USA for immediate taxi service or download the companys free mobile app, Taximobile, to find a taxi service near you.
  • Apps like Uber and Lyft can also be helpful if a taxi isnt nearby.
  • If you are intoxicated and need a ride home but dont want to leave your vehicle overnight, consider using a service like BeMyDD, that sends a chauffeur to drive you and your car home.

As the host of a get-together this season, you are an important part in helping to prevent drunk driving and DUI arrests. If you serve alcoholic beverages, be sure to also serve plenty of food, as a full stomach helps alcohol absorb more slowly into the bloodstream. Provide tasty alcohol-free alternatives to alcoholic beverages so that designated drivers wont feel left out or be tempted to indulge. Pay attention to your guests behavior and serve alcohol accordingly. Its usually smart to stop serving alcoholic drinks an hour or two before the party ends.

However, if you find yourself in an accident involving alcohol or other substances, call the experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Collier & Collier, P.C. toll free here 877-825-0543. We serve clients in Richmond and the surrounding areas. If you are injured in an automobile accident, its very important to contact an experienced lawyer right away.

Truck on Highway.

Few things are more nerve-wracking on the roads around Richmond than passing or driving near an 18-wheeler. The noise, the inherent sense of danger, and the size of the other vehicle make it a harrowing experience. And in the instances where a 3,000 pound vehicle collides with an 80,000 pound semi truck, the results can be tragic and include irreparable injuries and even fatalities.

Many things can lead to a collision with a semi truck, but it is very likely that the driver of the semi truck simply didnt see you when they were turning, rapidly decelerating, or changing lanes. Large trucks have large blind spots and its important to be mindful of those areas on the highway.

Here are some ways to maintain a safe buffer zone on the road:

  • Know where the blind spots are: There is a blind spot directly behind the truck, on each side of the truck that can span for several lanes, by the right-hand door, and in front of the truck that encompasses the lane the truck is in and one lane to the right.
  • Do not follow a truck too closely: By staying close behind a truck (also known as “tailgating”), you’ll be in the truck’s rear blind spot. If the driver does not know you are there and makes an emergency stop, you may rear end the truck. A safe following distance is considered to be 300 feet (or 20 car-lengths) at 55 mph.
  • Give plenty of space when driving in front of a truck: Ensure that there is ample room when you change lanes in front of a truck to avoid being rear ended. You should be able to see the entire front of the truck (or both of its headlights) in your inside rear-view mirror before you pull back in front of a truck.
  • Blow your horn if you see the turn signal on your side come on: If you notice a truck start moving into your lane blow your horn. You may be in the driver’s blind spot. Blowing your horn is your only warning to a trucker that you’re in the place he or she is trying to go. Hit your horn several times if necessary.
  • Be patient: When sharing the road with trucks, it’s important to drive carefully and to realize that trucks cannot maneuver quickly in an emergency situation. Being patient is as important as knowing where the truck’s blind spots are.

Large truck accidents cause significant damage and often cost trucking companies a lot of money. For this reason, they employ big insurance companies who will begin investigating immediately in order to minimize their costs and pay you as little as possible. Thats why its important to call the tractor trailer accident attorneys of Collier & Collier, P.C. right away. Contact us at 1-804-364-5200 or toll free at 1-877-825-0543 for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let us put our resources to work for you.

As our loved ones age they can become extremely dependent on others due to a foggy memory, increased frailty, loss of motor skills, or other effects of old age. This can mean relocating the elderly to a home, or hiring a live-in caregiver to assist with daily tasks. In some of these situations the elderly can be abused or neglected, and it may be hard to tell when that is happening.

There are obvious forms of abuse like physical and sexual which leave visible evidence like bruises and scars that can be spotted by someone outside of the family. But other abuse methods are more sinister because they are harder to notice. Emotional abuse through insults, repeated yelling, humiliation, isolation, or neglect of their needs can go unnoticed for long periods of time before it is too late.

Elders may also be in a situation of financial duress. An unscrupulous caregiver might misuse an elders personal checks, credit cards, or accounts. They may even steal cash, income checks, or household goods, engage in identity theft or worse. Common rackets these unscrupulous caregivers may use are: announcements of a prize that the elderly person has won but must pay money to claim, phony charities, and investment fraud. This is not a comprehensive list; there are many ways to financially abuse an elderly person.

It is important to keep in contact with your relatives and pay attention for signs of abuse. If you live far away from your relative, be sure to call regularly and talk to them as well as the caregiver; make sure you talk to the relative though as the caregiver may try to restrict access to them. If you can, try to visit at least once a month, announced or unannounced and watch for any warning signs.

If you feel that a relative has experienced abuse in a care facility, or that a wrongful death has resulted from the prolonged abuse of a relative you can call the professional attorneys at The Law Office of Collier and Collier. We understand that abuse is shocking, and we will do everything we can to help bring legal closure to the situation for you and your family.

Call our offices toll free today 877.825.0543.

tie-690084_1280In some situations, calling a lawyer for legal help is obvious: if you are arrested, are filing for divorce, have been in a major car accident, or are charged with a crime for instance. Similarly there are a plethora of situations where you may not need specific legal counsel. But it is important to remember that people hire lawyers for many different reasons in a variety of situations.

The primary question you need to ask if you are going to contact a lawyer is: what is at stake? If a case or situation is likely to affect or has affected your personal finances, liberties, or personal health and well-being, it is reasonable to ask for legal help. However, something like a single speeding ticket, while still interaction with the law, may not require legal assistance.

At Collier & Collier, we focus our practice on a range of personal injury cases, including cases that involve automobile accidents, such as car accidents, truck accidents, boat accidents or motorcycle accidents. In these situations it is abundantly appropriate to seek advice and legal help at our firm.

Lawyers can also be extremely helpful in maintaining your peace of mind in the process of drafting a will, pursuing adoption, or drafting a business contract by giving educated counsel.

A great rule of thumb is that in situations where you feel you cannot resolve the situation by yourself, it is likely appropriate to contact a lawyer. You may be able to obtain a free consultation with a professional who will at least look into the matter and give you preliminary advice.

When should I contact a lawyer?

If you do decide that legal help is the best option in your situation, then it is normally best to contact a lawyer immediately. If you have been injured in an accident there may be certain time limits that you need to abide by when filing a lawsuit. These limits are known as statutes of limitation. They can be as short as a few weeks, and vary across state lines and situations. Additionally, many lawyers you hire will likely need time to prepare before any legal process, therefore enlisting one early on will give them ample time to build your case.

If you need the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer, contact our firm at 804-364-5200 for a free initial consultation.

Contact Collier & Collier for a FREE Consultation CALL NOW 804-364-5200