Revel Mopeds Launch in Austin

Revel Moped Safety Concerns

Revel mopeds can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour and don’t require a motorcycle license or any previous two-wheel driving experience. While Revel does offer lessons, they are not required before taking your first ride. All that is required is for drivers to upload their driver’s license to have access to the moped, regardless if they have experience with driving two-wheelers.

This raises the greatest concern surrounding Revel: users do not need to have training riding a moped. Though you do need a driver’s license to drive a Revel moped, having experience in a car may not be enough to protect users and pedestrians from an accident. After all, driving a moped is much different than driving a car.

Furthermore, though Revel provides helmets along with their mopeds, and it requires that its users wear a helmet, though not all users choose to wear them. There have been numerous complaints in the other cities where Revel has launched of users driving erratically and without protection. Wearing a helmet can mean a difference between life and death in certain accidents. Additionally, many pedestrians are concerned about Revel riders are riding the mopeds aggressively around busy sidewalks and intersections.

Revel Lawsuit in Brooklyn

Revel recently was sued by a Brooklyn cyclist because he was hit by one of Revel’s mopeds. The cyclist’s attorney argued that Revel has not taken necessary precautions in providing safe service for its users and non-users as it does not prepare users to ride its mopeds on Brooklyn’s poorly designed and busy roads.

In the Revel lawsuit mentioned above, the cyclist was making a left turn when a Revel user allegedly rammed into him. As a result, the cyclist incurred a broken ankle that required surgery. The cyclist’s attorney argued that Revel’s lax requirements for its users to drive its mopeds was the reason that his client was injured. He argued that nearly ninety percent of its users are untrained in driving a moped.

Moped Safety Tips 

If You Are Revel User    

Driving a Revel moped may not require much skill, but it is nevertheless necessary to follow proper safety procedures. First and foremost, always be sure to wear a helmet. The difference between falling with and without a helmet can be either a difference between a broken ankle and permanent brain injury. Second, do not ride a moped with headphones or earphones. Revel mopeds are often located in noisy and crowded parts of Austin. You do not want to get in an accident because you could not hear a vehicle nearby.

Also, never assume that a motorist will yield to you. Be alert of vehicles behind you and in front of you. Just because you are not driving a car does not mean that drivers will be extra careful towards you. Furthermore, other drivers may not be on the lookout for mopeds at all: do not assume that they can always see you.

If You Are a Driving Near a Revel User

Keep in mind that Revel mopeds have a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour, and may accelerate faster than you are expecting. Furthermore, Revel mopeds are limited in their capacity to make quick turns or abrupt stops. Thus, be sure to drive accordingly when you are driving near a Revel moped, and leave the riders plenty of room. 

What to Do if You Get into an Accident Involving a Revel Moped

1. Report the Accident

If you are involved in a Revel moped accident, you should report the accident to the police whether you were the Revel user or the pedestrian or motorist involved. Even though a Revel moped accident may not necessarily be a car accident, the police will generally write a report of the accident. This report often determines who was at fault, and this report will be essential if you decide to file a claim.

2. Document the Scene

Be sure to always document and retrieve evidence from the scene of the accident. Get the name, address, license number, plate number, and insurance information from all the drivers involved in the accident. Also, if the driver involved in an accident was working for an employer, you should obtain the name and contact information of the driver’s employer.

Witness testimony is also key. If there were witnesses to the accident, you should also get the names and contact information of the witnesses. If any of the witnesses took photographs or video recordings of the accident, ask them for copies. If you yourself have a camera at the scene of the accident, take some photographs of the scene.

 3. Get Medical Attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your health is your number one priority. However, by getting medical attention, you also get the benefit of having doctors to record your injuries. Do not refuse to go to the hospital just because you think you are fine after the accident. After an accident, you often have adrenaline that may mask some of your injuries’ effects. You want to make sure that you have all your potential injuries recorded in order to have chance of getting just compensation.

4. Notify Insurance Company

Regardless of whose fault the accident is, you should always contact your insurance company as your insurance company may be able to give you some relief. However, do not make the mistake of talking about who was at fault for the accident. If your insurance company asks for a recorded statement, politely refuse.

5. Get a Lawyer

If you decide to file a claim and you believe that you may be able to file a claim on your own without hiring a lawyer, it may be still useful to at least consult with a lawyer in order to find out if there are any pitfalls in your case. 

Stay Safe!

Be on the lookout for these new mopeds! Riding them can be an enjoyable experience, but keep in mind the risks. When you see them on the road, don’t assume the rider is experienced, and be ready for unexpected movements.

To learn more about Revel in Austin, check out their website: Gorevel.com