At David Resnick & Associates, P.C., our New York City personal injury attorneys know that as soon as electric bikes, or e-bikes, hit our streets, they became immensely popular. E-bikes are bicycles equipped with an integrated electric motor and battery to assist with propulsion. They operate like traditional bicycles but offer additional power to help riders pedal, making it easier to travel long distances or ride at higher speeds with less effort.
E-bikes typically have different modes that allow riders to control how much assistance they receive from the motor, ranging from minimal assistance to full electric power, where the motor does most of the work.
E-bikes are popular in New York because they are ideal for commuting, recreational riding, and reducing the physical effort required for cycling. However, they can also be incredibly dangerous. When riders get hurt or are tragically killed on e-bikes, they will need an ally to help them pursue the liable party for their damages. This is why we are here.
For over 25 years, our New York City personal injury attorneys have worked tirelessly to enforce New York laws, allowing victims of negligence to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions or inaction.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one riding an e-bike because of another person, party, or entity’s negligence, contact our skilled New York City personal injury attorneys today to discuss your case. Our experienced lawyers offer free consultations to e-bike injury victims throughout New York City and take all qualifying cases on a contingency basis, so you pay no upfront or out-of-pocket fees and nothing if we do not win your case.
What are the Most Common Causes of E-Bike Accidents in New York City?
Due to the unique challenges of the urban environment, e-bike riders can be hurt in various ways in New York City.
Some of the most common ways include:
- Driver Negligence: Motorists failing to yield the right of way, making unsafe lane changes, or turning without checking for cyclists are common causes of accidents. Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone, can also lead to collisions with e-bike riders. Drivers sometimes overlook e-bikes in their blind spots, leading to dangerous crashes.
- Dooring Incidents: Negligent drivers or passengers may open car doors without looking for oncoming e-bike riders, causing the rider to crash into the door. This type of negligence, known as dooring, can result in severe injury or death.
- Negligent Pedestrians: Pedestrians who cross streets or bike lanes without paying attention, jaywalk, or step into the path of an e-bike can cause serious accidents. In such cases, the pedestrian’s carelessness threatens the e-bike rider.
- Commercial Vehicle Drivers: Delivery trucks, taxis, and rideshare drivers who double park or block bike lanes force e-bike riders into traffic, putting them at higher risk for accidents. Commercial drivers who fail to follow traffic laws can also cause fatal collisions.
- Negligence by Other Cyclists: Other cyclists who fail to follow traffic rules, ride erratically, or speed through intersections can cause crashes and injure e-bike riders.
- Defective E-Bike Components: If an e-bike’s motor, brakes, or other critical components malfunction due to a manufacturer’s negligence, it can lead to accidents, with the manufacturer or retailer potentially being held liable.
If you have been injured on an e-bike because of negligence, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers for help today. Our law firm represents accident victims throughout New York City, including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx, and only works on a contingency basis. You do not pay our legal fees if we do not win your case. That’s a promise.
Can New York City E-Bike Rental Companies Be Held Liable for Accidents, Injuries & Fatalities?
Yes, e-bike rental companies in New York City can potentially be held liable for accidents, injuries, and fatalities under certain circumstances. Their liability typically depends on whether the rental company’s negligence contributed to the incident.
That may include:
- Faulty or Poorly Maintained E-Bikes: If the rental company fails to properly maintain the e-bikes, leading to mechanical failures, including brake failure, battery issues, or defective tires, they can be held liable for injuries or fatalities resulting from those failures.
- Inadequate Safety Measures: Rental companies may be liable if they fail to provide adequate safety instructions, such as how to operate the e-bike safely or wear proper protective gear like helmets. Additionally, if the company does not make helmets available or fails to inform riders of their legal obligations, it may increase their liability.
- Negligent Rental Practices: If the company rents e-bikes to individuals who are unqualified or unsafe to operate them, such as minors, intoxicated persons, or individuals who do not understand the rules of the road, the company may be liable for accidents caused by those riders.
- Failure to Warn Hazards: The company could be held liable if they do not provide warnings about known hazards, such as risks associated with specific routes, weather conditions, or dangerous road conditions that could affect the safe operation of the e-bike.
- Improperly Designed E-Bikes: If the e-bikes provided by the rental company have design flaws that increase the risk of injury, the rental company and the manufacturer could be liable under product liability laws.
- Negligent Training or Supervision: In some cases, if the rental company provides insufficient training or oversight, especially for inexperienced riders, it could be responsible for accidents resulting from the rider’s lack of competence.
While liability often depends on the case’s specifics, rental companies can be held accountable when their negligence contributes to accidents, injuries, or fatalities involving their rented e-bikes. We can help.
Contact Our Skilled NYC E-Bike Accident & Injury Attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. to Help Build Your Case for Success
The legal team at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., understands the impact an e-bike accident can have on you and your family. We work hard to obtain the maximum damages you’re entitled to. We serve accident victims in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and New York City.
If you have questions about your personal injury, contact the New York law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., online or call us at 212-279-2000 today for a free consultation about your case.
There is never a charge to speak with our skilled New York City e-bike accident and injury attorneys. If your case qualifies to move forward, we will handle every aspect from start to finish without charging any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. Unless we win your case, you will pay nothing for our elite personal injury attorney services. That is a promise.