Electric Bike Accident

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become very popular in California. This is especially apparent in tourist areas, like Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and San Francisco,

With more people now riding electric bikes, we are starting to see an increase in traffic accidents. We all know that many roads in Orange County and Los Angeles are very dangerous to drive on – let alone ride a bike on.

Here’s an overview of what to do if you were involved in an electric bike accident. 

 

Why Contact an Electric Bike Accident Lawyer?

Daniel Kim is a very experienced attorney in the field. He is not afraid of the insurance companies, and he knows how to counter their tricky tactics.

Once you suffer an injury at the hands of a negligent driver, life will become complicated very quickly. Dealing with medical bills, insurance companies, and police reports after an accident is stressful and frustrating.

It is very important to know that the insurance companies’ main objective is to devalue a settlement.

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim care about all of our clients. Our online reputation says it all. With over 1,000 reviews on Yelp and Google, we make an effort to put out clients first. We can help accident victims all over including Los Angeles, Orange County, Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, San Diego, and more.

If you were injured while riding an electric bike, then feel free to contact our personal injury law firm today for a free consultation.

 

How Much Is My Electric Bike Accident Settlement Worth?

Our law firm will fight to make sure our clients get maximum compensation for their electric bike accidents. When determining how much a settlement is worth, we consider the following factors:

• Costs of medical treatment (and future bills)
• Lost wages from missed work
• Physical and emotional suffering
• The severity of your injuries

Remember, your injury settlement may be taxable, so you’ll want to know all these laws ahead of time.

An experienced e-bike accident lawyer, like Daniel Kim, will help you navigate through the legal process. When doing so, we need to consider all of the facts before providing an initial estimate. Every variable will affect how much your claim is worth.

 

Dealing With the Insurance Companies After An Accident

Our law firm has years of experience dealing with insurance companies. Additionally, we have developed how to make sure accident victims are not taken advantage of.

Normally, after an accident, you will be contacted by the other party’s insurer. They will appear friendly. They do this to gather as much information from victims as possible, which is later used against them. 

Don’t fall for it.

Insurance adjusters are skilled in manipulation. Their goal is to settle your case quickly and for as little as possible. Just remember that whatever you say can be used against you when it comes to settling your case. Therefore, be careful. 

To avoid any mishaps, working with a personal injury lawyer, who specializes in electric bike accidents ensures your rights are protected. To learn more about your legal options, contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim. We will help guide you through the process so that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

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What Is An E-Bike?

An electric bike essentially rides like a regular bicycle but has several added components.

It has a motor, a battery, and a remote to control the bike speed. The electric bike still has many of the same parts that a regular bike has, like pedals, hand brakes, and tires.

The real main difference is that an electric bike has a battery and motor. This allows the rider to go faster and travel further than a standard pedal-operated bike.

 

Common Injuries From an Electric Bike Accident

Getting injured on an electric bicycle is very similar to getting hurt on a normal bicycle.

Wearing a helmet is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in case of an accident. In addition, wearing protective clothing, like long-sleeve shirts and pants, helps reduce the chances of other injuries.

The common injuries from e-bike accidents are:

• Brain injury
• Nerve damages
• Broken bones
• Wrongful death
• Neck and back
• Fractures
• Facial injuries

 

Common Causes for Electric Bike Accidents

Riding an electric bike is very similar to riding a standard bicycle.

Similarly, riding an electric bike is very dangerous in California. This is because the roads are crowded with cars, pedestrians, scooters, and other bicyclists. Although every electric bike accident is different, there are factors that the cyclist can do to help lower the odds of getting hit while riding.

Simply following traffic laws and being courteous on the road can go a long way. Also, riders should wear bright clothing and a helmet whenever they go for a ride. Making yourself apparent is another great precaution.

However, it’s difficult to anticipate what other motorists will do on the road. A driver who is texting while driving could pose a huge threat. In addition, teen drivers pose a huge threat due to their inexperience. 

Common causes for bike accidents include:

• Speeding
• Distracted drivers
• Drugs and alcohol
• Road rage
• Weather
• Backing out of a driveway

 

Do You Need a License to Ride an Electric Bike?

You don’t have to have a license to operate an e-bike. However, a rider needs to be at least 16 years of age to operate an e-bicycle.

In short, federal law considers electric bikes in the class as regular bicycles if they meet two important criteria:

1. The top speed in “electric-only” mode is 20 miles per hour (mph)
2. The engine power can’t be more than 750 watts

Electric bikes do not need a special registration, insurance, or a license to operate. In addition, these bikes are treated like normal bicycles when it comes to riding in bike lanes. The same rules apply.

 

Electric Bike Laws in California

In California, electric bikes are treated as regular bicycles under the California vehicle code. Electric bike riders are exempt from many of the normal laws that apply to cars and motorcycles.

Do E-Bike Riders Need to Have Insurance?

Under California Vehicle Code Section 406(b), electric bike riders aren’t required to comply with California’s financial responsibility law. Electric bike riders do not have to have liability insurance.

Do Electric Bike Riders Need to Wear a Helmet in California?

Under California Vehicle Code Section 406(b), electric bike riders are required to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.

What is an E-Bike?

The California Vehicle Code Section 406(a) defines a motorized bicycle (electric bike) as not capable of going over 30 mph on level ground using:

• Fully operative pedals for human propulsion
• An electric motor that is with or without pedals
• A motor that produces less than 2 gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission

 

How to Ride An Electric Bike Safely and Avoid Injuries

Always wear a helmet and bright reflective clothing. Additionally, make sure your bike has some form of reflective lighting to make yourself visible to motorists and other pedestrians.

Ensure the bike is at an appropriate level. If the electric bike is too large or powerful, do not ride it.

Also, electric bike riders need to remember to follow the laws that normal bike riders have to obey. This includes riding in bike lanes (when available), not drinking and driving. This is a common misconception. Many do not know that operating any moving vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. 

In addition, only one rider should be on a motorized bike at a time. Do not ride with someone sitting on the handlebars or standing on the back pegs.