Were you hit by an e-bike as a pedestrian? If so, you could have many questions about liability and your right to file a claim. Based on the details surrounding the incident and the harm that occurred, you could have the right to file a claim and even recover compensation. If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you and your family after an e-bike pedestrian accident, please do not hesitate to reach out to the legal team here at our law firm as soon as possible.

The team here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group has decades of experience and are fully committed to providing you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights. If you are ready to discuss the legal options available to you with our e-bike injury attorneys, contact our team today.

Common Causes of E-Bike versus Pedestrian Accidents

Some of the most common of these incidents include the following:

• Defective e-bikes, including malfunctioning brakes

• Ignoring traffic signals

• Failure to yield

• Excessive speed

• Unsafe passing maneuvers

• Distracted riding

• Riding on sidewalks

• Poor visibility

• Inexperienced riders

• And more

E-bikes can reach much higher speeds than traditional bicycles. In addition, many bicyclists may speed through bike lanes and shared pathways, including sidewalks and crowded urban areas where pedestrians may be present.

Since e-bikes are heavier than conventional bicycles, any collision, including those involving pedestrians, can result in serious injuries.

Examples of the Injuries that May Occur

Unlike bicyclists that may be protected by helmets and other protective equipment, pedestrians have no protection in the case that they are struck by an e-bike. Collisions can cause significant harm, which may include the following:

• Head injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries

• Facial injuries, including broken nose, broken teeth, broken jaw, lacerations, and more

• Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs

• Fractures, broken bones, and dislocations, often involving the arms, wrists, hips, legs, ankles, and ribs

• Spinal cord injuries, which can result in chronic pain or paralysis

• Soft-tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, muscle injuries, torn ligaments, and more

I was Hit by an E-Bike as a Pedestrian. Who is Liable?

Ultimately, liability for incidents will be strictly based on the facts surrounding the incident. The truth is that, based on the facts, several parties may share responsibility.

Some of the parties that could face liability may include the following:

• The rider of the e-bike

• The owner of the e-bike (if separate from the rider)

• The rider’s employer (if the incident happened while the rider was working)

• The government entity responsible for road maintenance or for enforcing traffic rules (this can be the city where the incident happened, especially if these incidents are common)

• The manufacturer of the defective e-bike

• And more

In many cases, liability can be shared among multiple parties/entities, based on the details surrounding the case.

In general, liability is based on the concept of negligence, which states that certain parties or entities that breach their duty of care and contribute to incidents can be liable or responsible for any harm that occurs.

What Happens if the At-Fault Rider was Underage?

As more and more parents buy electric bikes for their children, the number of incidents related to minors riding e-bikes has increased. When the incident is caused by a minor, the minor’s parents could actually face liability for the incident. If you were injured in an incident involving a minor riding an e-bike, do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team as soon as possible to explore the legal options available to you.