Personal Injury Law

Moped accident in Franklin County, Missouri kills one

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

Dustin Reed, 21, was killed Friday while riding a moped on Missouri 47 in Franklin County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Reed was traveling southbound in front of a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Scott Pelton, 17. Reed and his moped began to drift across the center line just before making a right turn at Mooreland Drive. As Reed was making the turn, his moped was struck on the right side by Pelton?s Blazer. Reed was thrown from his moped and the Blazer ran off the roadway, struck a street sign, and came to rest in a ditch.

Reed was pronounced dead at the scene. Pelton suffered no major injuries, according to the investigating officer.

The dangers of moped and motorcycle riding are well known. Each year, nearly 5,000 people die in motorcycle or moped accidents. A person is 35 times more likely to die in a crash on a motorcycle as opposed to riding in a passenger car. Crashes are often caused because other drivers simply don?t see the motorcyclist on the roadway.

Mopeds and motorcycles might have their unique risks, but that does not mean riders lose their right to recover damages in an accident. Many times insurance companies will try to say a rider was at least partially at fault for an accident. The personal injury attorney representing the rider will then have to examine all the details including tire skid marks, vehicle speed and road conditions to expose negligence on the part of the other drivers.

If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle or moped accident, you must act quickly. Keep good documentation of the events of the crash and call an experienced St. Louis moped or motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on January 09, 2009 (boomark / email).