It is difficult to go anywhere in Orange County without seeing electric bikes. They are available for rent at docks throughout Southern California, and more and more people are purchasing them to get around quicker than on a traditional bike. However, e-bikes can have a greater risk of serious accidents and injuries than regular bicycles, and there can be unique issues at play in e-bike injury cases.
If you suffered injuries, you might be entitled to compensation from one or more liable parties. You should not wait to discuss your rights with an Orange County e-bike accident lawyer as soon as possible.
E-Bike Injuries
Certain studies have revealed that people on e-bikes are more likely to do the following than other cyclists:
- Sustain concussions
- Suffer internal damage and injuries
- Collide with a pedestrian
Because of the power behind an e-bike, they can travel faster than regular bicycles, especially for inexperienced cyclists. Traditional bikes often travel at about 10 miles per hour, while e-bikes regularly travel over 20 miles per hour on the same roads. This speed can contribute to the severity of e-bike injuries.
With serious injuries also come serious losses, and many e-bike crash victims face overwhelming financial, physical, and emotional losses. It is important to know whether you can seek compensation from another party, which can help you move forward in your recovery in a much better position.
Dangerous Biking Conditions
Due to climate issues, more and more people are biking to reduce their carbon footprint, and e-bikes have made this easier. However, there has not been significant improvement in the infrastructure to support so many new e-bikers. Riders often have to travel on streets with no bike lanes or even on sidewalks. This can be dangerous for everyone involved.
In addition, many people rent e-bikes to ride for a couple of blocks when they do not have helmets. While helmets cannot protect cyclists from head trauma 100 percent of the time, they do reduce the risk of brain injuries by a significant amount. Riding an e-bike without a helmet can be extremely dangerous if a car hits you.
Drivers are also not very accustomed to sharing the road with so many e-bikes. Orange County drivers are already in a hurry and often distracted, and this can be particularly risky for e-bike riders. Driver negligence commonly causes e-bike crashes, including:
- Texting or other distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Aggressive driving, including tailgating and speeding
- Failing to yield
- Cutting off cyclists when making right turns
- Dooring accidents when driver open a door without checking to see if there is an oncoming rider
When someone else causes your e-bike accident, they - and possibly additional parties - should be liable for the losses you incur. An experienced Orange County e-bike lawyer can help you determine who should be liable in your situation.
Additional E-Bike Claim Issues
Another complication with e-bike injury claims arises when a bike is rented. While more people are purchasing e-bikes for themselves, the e-bike rental market is huge in Southern California. In some cases, liability can be traced back to the rental company, especially when a company fails to inspect and maintain bikes as it should.
If you rent an e-bike that malfunctions, it can cause you to crash. Liability can arise if the malfunction was due to:
- Defective design of the e-bike
- Defective production of the e-bike by the manufacturer
- Inadequate maintenance by the rental company
These can be complicated cases involving highly technical evidence of defects or bike maintenance. Often, experts must assess what exactly caused the bike to malfunction in order for liability to be clear. You want a top-rated accident and injury law firm with the resources to fully investigate liability in your e-bike case.
Injuries from E-Bike Crashes in Orange County
One reason why it is important to discuss your rights following an e-bike crash is the severity of the injuries that regularly occur. Some injuries that are common in e-bike accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injury
- Crush injuries
- Internal injuries
E-bike riders almost always need emergency care following an accident, and you should never wait to get a full evaluation and diagnosis of your injuries. Doing so not only puts you on the right treatment path as soon as possible, but it also creates a record so you can prove which injuries stemmed from your e-bike accident.
Seeking Compensation for Your E-Bike Accident Losses
After an e-bike accident, you want to seek financial recovery for all of your losses from all liable parties, which might include other drivers, the employers of drivers, the e-bike manufacturer, the e-bike owner, and more. When you file one or more insurance claims, you need to demand the full value of your losses, which can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from missed work
- The estimated costs of future medical care
- Your estimated future lost earnings if you cannot return to work
- Physical and mental pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities or disfigurement
You want a legal representative calculating your losses and fighting for every penny from the insurance companies. Insurers want to shortchange claims whenever possible, so you want a skilled negotiator standing up to insurers in favor of your rights.
The Importance of an Orange County E-Bike Accident Lawyer
Have you suffered serious injuries in an e-bike accident and are wondering whether you should contact an attorney? If so, you should always begin the process with a free consultation with a law firm that handles e-bike cases and understands the complex issues that can arise.
The right attorney can assist with all of the following and more:
- Investigating what happened and identifying all sources of liability
- Filing claims and presenting evidence to all necessary insurance companies
- Determining the full value of your past and future losses
- Negotiating with insurers for a fair settlement
- Filing an injury lawsuit when needed
Most importantly, an attorney allows you to focus on your medical treatment and physical recovery, knowing that your rights are being protected. Following an injury, contact an Orange County e-bike accident attorney for free today.