Have you or someone that you love been injured in an accident involving an electric-powered bicycle? E-bikes have become an increasingly popular means of transportation in New York City. Enthusiasts have spent several years fighting for the right to share the roadways with larger motor vehicles. In April 2020, legislators approved a proposal for e-bike legalization in cities throughout the State of New York.
Unfortunately, there has been a significant rise in the number of people who are injured in accidents that involve e-bikes since legalization. These accidents have resulted in serious, lifelong, and even fatal injuries for many individuals involved.
Have you or a loved one been injured in an E-bike accident? You may be entitled to sue for compensation if you have been injured as a result of an e-bike accident on NY roadways.
E-bikes are a popular choice for an extensive number of personal, professional, and recreational purposes. E-bikes, or electricity-powered bicycles, are built with specialized motors that allow operators to travel at faster speeds and further distances. Similar to traditional bikes, e-bike operators utilize pedals to control traveling speed. E-bikes, however, allow cyclists to pedal uphill and/or over uneven terrain with ease. This is due to micro-sized motors that assist with pedaling.
There are several different classes of e-bikes available and classified by motor size and capabilities. E-bikes riders have the ability to control the amount of electrical assistance used during operations.
Eco mode provides bicyclists with a small boost of energy when it is needed most, for example, during long-distance excursions. While turbo mode is most effective for uphill travel.
Recent news reports reveal a significant increase in electric bike accidents over the past several years. In fact, 53 deaths have been attributed to this means of transportation.
Many people would expect these accident statistics to follow age demographic trends that are commonly seen in other types of motor vehicle accidents. However, data in the aforementioned report also revealed the majority of these accidents involved riders ages 18-59 years of age.
There are several different types of e-bike accidents that could occur, including:
Electric bikes travel at speeds of up to 24-28 miles per hour, depending on model capabilities. This allows for faster acceleration than traditional bicycles, but at much slower speeds than motorbikes. These unconventional speeds can be confusing to drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists on roadways.
These circumstances could cause other parties to misjudge e-bike rider speed, resulting in serious accidents. E-bike accidents can occur as a result of numerous other circumstances.
Motor vehicle drivers could strike an e-bike rider as a result of numerous issues. For example, a driver could neglect to check their blind spot before switching lanes or fail to yield to an e-bike during a left turn.
Additional elements may also exist that could increase the severity, and likelihood, of e-bike accident injuries. These factors may include inclement weather, debris on roadways, work zones, wildlife, etc.
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident involving an e-bike? Accidents that involve electric bikes can result in serious injuries to riders, pedestrians, and/or cyclists. These injuries could result in lingering pain, disability, and other issues that require ongoing medical treatment.
Injured New Yorkers have a legal right to sue for any physical, emotional, and/or financial damages that occur as a result of an e-bike accident. There are several forms of compensation that you may be entitled to receive, including:
New York residents also have a legal right to sue in the event that a loved one suffers from fatal injuries as the result of an e-bike accident. You will need to contact a New York personal injury lawyer who specializes in wrongful cases. These legal professionals are seasoned in NY personal injury laws and can help you determine if you have a case.
As delivery drivers for companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, and others, e-bike riders brave the streets of New York City to bring meals and goods to their customers. Unfortunately, these hardworking cyclists are at risk of being injured in accidents with other vehicles, leaving them with serious injuries and mounting medical bills.
If you are a delivery cyclist who has been injured while on the job, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages. However, navigating the legal process can be daunting, especially when you're also dealing with physical and emotional pain.
Some delivery companies, such as DoorDash, offer occupational accident policies that can provide coverage for injured workers. However, many workers are unaware of these policies or have trouble accessing the benefits they are entitled to. Other companies, such as Grubhub and Relay, do not offer any occupational or auto coverage, leaving workers with little to no protection in case of an accident.
As an independent contractor, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn when you're injured on the job. However, there are legal options available to you. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Goidel & Siegel, we understand the challenges facing delivery cyclists who have been injured while working. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping injured workers like you get the compensation they need to cover their medical expenses and lost wages. We can also help you understand your legal options and fight for your rights against the companies that employ you.
There is an elevated risk of serious injuries any time an e-bike is involved in a collision. These accidents could result in serious injuries for e-bike riders, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and/or pedestrians.
There are several elements that may be involved in an e-bike collision, including circumstantial and environmental factors. New Yorkers have a legal right to sue any party whose negligence contributes to these factors.
An experienced NY personal injury lawyer will need to prove that another party was liable for the accident. Your lawyer will need to prove that the party in question committed actions, and/or failed to correct a known issue, that led to an e-bike accident.
You may be legally entitled to sue another party who was involved in the accident. These parties could be held responsible if any form of negligence, including failure to follow traffic laws, contributes to the accident
For example, the driver of a motorized vehicle could be held responsible if running a red light leads to a collision with an e-bike rider.
E-bike manufacturers could be held responsible in the event that a production defect leads to an accident. Examples of common manufacturer liability claims could include issues with fuel lines, brake systems, or other vital e-bike components.
Government organizations could be liable for damages that occur as a result of roadway defects. There are several dangerous conditions that are common on NY roadways, including potholes, malfunctioning traffic lights, and/or other potential hazards. These conditions significantly increase the risk of an accident by making it difficult for e-bike riders to maintain control.
There are several steps that must be taken to preserve your legal rights after an e-bike lawsuit.
File a claim with your insurance provider immediately following an accident. The longer that you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it becomes to prove liability.
Contact an E-bike accident lawyer and file a claim as soon as possible to begin building your case. The State of New York requires any individual that intends to sue for damages to file a lawsuit within 90 days of the accident. An experienced personal injury can help gather evidence and ensure that your claim meets all filing requirements.
Contact a team of experienced personal injury lawyers today if you have been hurt in an E-bike accident in the New York City area. Call Goidel and Siegel at 212-404-7132 or request a free case review online.
Goidel and Siegel are committed to helping injured clients throughout New York obtain compensation for their injuries. Goidel and Siegel have several office locations to best serve their clients, including firms in Queens, Long Island, New Jersey, and NYC.
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