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Your Guide to Navigating E-Bike Injuries

By Hess & Nghiem on November 1, 2021

E-bikes are becoming one of the most popular ways to get around in Orange County. These vehicles are affordable, easy to operate, and the ideal form of transportation in the warm Southern California climate. While e-bikes are an attractive option, you need to be aware of the risks and use extreme caution when riding. E-bikes carry a higher risk of severe injury than traditional bicycles, as reported by Reuters.

Types of Injuries: E-Bike Accidents

In a recent year, more than 3,075 e-bike injuries occurred. E-bike accidents have been found to more likely cause a range of very serious injuries than unpowered bikes, including:

  • Internal injuries
  • Head injuries, concussions, TBI
  • Broken bones

Types of E-Bike Accidents

These injury accidents affected certain age groups more frequently, with the 18-44 and 45-64 age groups most often the victim of e-bike accidents. These power-assisted bikes can move over 20 miles an hour, while traditional bicycles typically travel at 10 miles per hour or less. The behavior that can contribute to e-bike accidents include:

  • Batteries catching fire: E-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, and in recent years, many battery fires have been the cause of serious accidents. When a battery fails and catches on fire, the e-bike rider is put in extreme danger, often unable to keep the bike under control. These cases may require filing a product liability lawsuit to seek damages.
  • Too much acceleration: An abrupt acceleration when starting a ride is a common reason for e-bike accidents. Whether the cause is related to cyclist error or a faulty system, the rider can be thrown to the roadway, swerve into traffic, or other danger.
  • Failure to follow the rules of the road: An e-bike rider is required to follow all traffic rules. Drivers sharing the road are often the cause of serious injury accidents, driving too close to the cyclist, hitting them from behind, or failing to see the cyclist in an adjoining lane, pulling into them and throwing them onto the roadway.
  • Distracted driving: Drivers who are busy talking on the phone, daydreaming, texting, or engaged in conversation with passengers may fail to be aware that they are sharing the street with an e-bike rider, turning into the cyclist at an intersection, hitting them from the side, or behind at a stop sign or stoplight.

Injured on an E-Bike?

If you were injured while riding an e-bike, you might have the right to seek compensation from a negligent driver or from the e-bike manufacturer if the unit failed. The steps to follow are:

  • Undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation.
  • Obtain the police report.
  • Gather all medical information about your condition.
  • Contact a lawyer to help you pursue full compensation for all damages.

The Right Personal Injury Lawyer for E-Bike Accident Cases

At HN Injury Lawyers in Santa Ana, we are proud of our record of favorable outcomes in personal injury law. When we take on a case, we evaluate every detail to ensure that every form of compensation is pursued. The settlement or jury award must reflect the extent of the injuries and the long-term impact on the future health and wellbeing of the injured victim. Whether the case involves a negligent driver or a defective e-bike, we have the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to seek every form of compensation possible, including economic and non-economic damages.

Call us today at (657) 333-5726 for a free case consultation if you or a loved one was injured in an e-bike accident.

Posted in: E-Bike Accidents

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