Electric Bike Accidents
Electric Bikes have grown in popularity and number in the past few years. As the electric bikes on the road are increasing, the accidents involving them are rising too. These bikes are very easy to ride and offer smoother rides compared to other bikes. These are faster and very less effort is required by the rider to ride them. An electric bike accident is very similar to that of a motored bike accident; however, because the two have different motorized parts, there are certain key differences in why the accidents occur in each case. Electric bikes accelerate and move faster as compared to regular bikes, which many people are not aware of; hence, there are times when drivers, riders and pedestrians miscalculate the speed of the electric bikes which leads to serious accidents and injuries. Common Electric Bike Accident Injuries In most countries electric bike riding does not require a licence, still, these bikes are as risky as the regular bikes. Wearing helmets and other protective gear is important as the electric bike accelerates to almost 25 mph speed. There is a higher risk of severe injuries in accidents involving electric bikes. The common injuries that are associated with e-bike accidents are:- Fractures Neck and Back Injuries Traumatic Brain Injury Should and Knee tears Concussions What are the causes of Electric Bike Accidents? Electric bike accidents are on a rise, there are numerous reasons for the accident of an electric bike. Let us look at some of those reasons/causes:- Collision with other motored bike, car, truck, pedestrian etc. Manufacturing defects in the Electric Bike Dangerous road conditions Improper maintenance of the Electric Bike Regardless of the cause of the electric bike accident, it is essential that you get in touch with an experienced attorney if at all you have been in an electric bike accident. An attorney by your side will be able to help you ensure that your rights are preserved. The Dangers in an Electric Bike Electric bikes are fast and emit absolutely no noise, this is the reason why when it approaches other vehicles or pedestrians they are unaware of the electric bike being around them. The speeds of the electric bikes are very easily misjudged, hence resulting in accidents. Electric bikes are heavier and also faster compared to traditional bikes therefore they need more distance and time to stop. Who is liable for an Electric Bike Accident? Have you been injured in an electric bike accident? Do not worry! Siler and Ingber are here for you. A rented bike or your own, the team of lawyers at Siler & Ingber are highly skilled at handling a wide range of personal injury lawyer accidents and even bike accidents throughout New York City. The team here is well versed with the laws pertaining to electric bikes. We thoroughly study your case and file your claims accordingly. We pursue the compensation you deserve for the injuries caused to you and also for your suffering. Call the attorneys of Siler & Ingber today so that they can help you with your case.
Bicycle and Citi Bike Accidents in New York: All You Need to Know
As the city has started to open since the pandemic, there is an increase in the uptake of cycling sharing rides such as Citi Bike. Additionally, New Yorkers are moving towards using bicycles as the preferred mode of transport. Citi Bike is New York’s one of most successful bike-sharing programs. With over 25000 bikes, 1500 stations, Citi Bike has 143,000 members. While the program has a positive impact on the overall landscape of transportation in the city, the higher use of Citi Bike and bicycles has also led to higher accidents involving them. Estimates suggest that nearly 300 people die due to accidents involving bikes. Auto accident lawyers are also witnessing this rise. If so many accidents are occurring, who is responsible? Even though the cyclist is more vulnerable to injuries in case of an accident, the responsibility lies on both, the cyclist and drivers to ensure each other’s safety on the roads. Importantly, the risk of injury to the cyclist is much higher as compared to a motor vehicle driver. Hence, when riding a Citi Bike, it is important to know what to do after a crash. Some common reasons for accidents involving bicycles and Citi Bike are: Dooring: It refers to when a driver/passenger opens the door of a motor vehicle and hits a passing cyclist. This is one of the most common causes of bicycle accidents. Distracted driving: Often, a motor vehicle driver or cyclist may be distracted such as texting while driving or driving under the influence which may cause the accident. Right of way: As per the law, a motor vehicle driver is supposed to give the right of way to the cyclist. In scenarios when it does not happen, it may lead to an accident and subsequent injuries. Potholes/Construction: Often, cyclists succumb to accidents on roads with ongoing construction or potholes. This occurs largely in situations where the cyclist is not aware of the condition of the road and is caught by surprise. Whether you’re using Citi Bike or your personal, if you’re involved in a crash, here is what you do: Call 911 and report the crash. Seek medical help. If you’re the rider/user of the Citi Bike involved in the crash, you’re liable to report the accident within 24 hours. You can call on 1-855-BIKE311 to report the crash. As the user, you are responsible to return it to the dock or to a Citi Bike representative. A rental fee of $1000 and an administrative fee will be charged to your credit card if you fail to return the bike within 24 hours. Maintain all documentation of the medical bills and other expenses incurred. Record information of the driver and the vehicle that caused the accident. Take photos of the accident site and talk to witnesses. It is recommended that you get an auto accident lawyer with extensive experience in handling cases of similar nature as insurance companies are quick to pin the blame on the cyclists and avoid paying fair compensation. Let the injury lawyer handle the complexities of the law and work towards getting you a just settlement. If you or someone you know has been in an accident involving Citi Bike or your bicycle and you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident Involving Citi Bike
Citi Bike is New York’s flagship bike sharing program. The program allows you to pick up a bike at one of the hundred stations around Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Jersey City. Bike availability can be seen on the station map or mobile app. Citi Bike is already a success story because within the first three days of its launch, it saw 20,000 registrations and 7500 successful rides. New Yorkers and tourists alike have taken to Citi Bike. While biking is a preferred mode of transportation among New Yorkers and becoming more popular every day, it is also increasing vulnerability of cyclists to accidents. It is well known that riding a bicycle in the city comes with its risks. However, the responsibility lies on the cyclist and drivers equally to ensure each other’s safety on the roads. Importantly, the risk of injury to the cyclist is much higher as compared to a motor vehicle driver. Hence, when riding a Citi Bike, it is important to know what to do after a crash. Here is what you should do if you’re in a crash involving a Citi Bike: ● Call 911 and report the crash immediately. ● If you’re the rider / user of the Citi Bike involved in the crash, you’re liable to report the accident within 24 hours. You can call on 1-855-BIKE311 to report the crash. ● As the user, you are responsible to return it to the dock or to a Citi Bike representative. ● A rental fee of $1000 and administrative fee will be charged to your credit card if you fail to return the bike within 24 hours. The above mentioned points are relevant with respect to the liability of the user when using Citi Bike. However, if you’re involved in a crash and injured, here’s what you do in addition to the above: ● Urgently seek medical care. ● Maintain all documentation of the medical bills. ● Obtain information of the driver and the vehicle that caused the accident. ● If possible, take photos of the accident site and talk to witnesses. ● Maintain a record of all the expenses incurred due to the accident. ● Hire an auto accident lawyer to work with you on getting a fair compensation. It is recommended that you get an auto accident lawyer with extensive experience in handling cases of similar nature as insurance companies are quick to pin the blame on the cyclists and avoid paying fair compensation. Let the injury lawyer handle the complexities of the law and work towards getting you a just settlement. If you or someone you know has been in an accident involving Citi Bike and you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.