San Diego County Attorneys Helping People Injured In Bike And E-Bike Accidents
Bicyclists and e-bike riders are particularly vulnerable to injury after colliding with a car or truck simply because of how exposed riders are on the road. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, Padilla Law Group, LLP, can help. We have over 40 years of experience representing injured people in and out of court. We help people seek full compensation and damages after accidents that someone else caused. We know what compensation you are entitled to and how to deal with insurance companies.
Our personal injury attorneys have won multi-million dollar settlements for injured clients. We have also received many industry awards for our skilled legal guidance we provide to our clients, including The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list and Super Lawyers accolade selection. Call us at 760-536-4415 to discuss your case in a free consultation.
Why Are E-bikes Dangerous?
When navigating the roads and sidewalks of California, e-bike riders are often vulnerable to a variety of accidents. Because they are less protected than passengers in cars, the impact on victims of e-bike accidents can be devastating. They often sustain more severe injuries, including brain injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, you may face a long road to recovery, but having an experienced attorney by your side can help.
What Are The Most Common Injuries For E-bike Riders?
Injuries to e-bike riders are similar to injuries sustained by motorcyclists and bicyclists, including:
- Concussions
- Fractures to legs and arms
- Upper extremity injuries (more common with bicyclists and e-bike riders than motorcyclists who tend to have more lower extremity injuries)
- Fractured pelvis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and facial abrasions
- Injuries to abdomen
Statistics On E-bike Accidents In San Diego County
According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards resulted in 200,000 emergency room visits in the last four years. Additionally, there were at least 71 deaths related to these motorized conveyances between 2017 and 2020. The report also stated that e-bikes were the largest number of the injuries and fatalities. This is perhaps not surprising because e-bikes can travel upwards of 20 to 30 miles per hour.
The most recent accident data reported by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) was from 2019. The OTS reported these statistics:
- Total fatalities and injuries in 2019 were 19,928.
- Motorcycle-involved accidents resulted in 1532 deaths and injuries.
- Bicycle-involved accidents resulted in 707 deaths and injured victims.
E-bike statistics were not separately reported.
What Do I Do After A Bike Accident?
Right after a bike accident, injured riders are likely discombobulated, disoriented, and just generally shaken up. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when you’ve had an accident.
- Do seek medical attention for injuries.
- Do obtain contact and insurance information from the driver of the vehicle that hit you.
- Do get contact information from any witnesses to the accident. The witnesses can help give their view of what happened in the accident.
- Don’t say you’re fine when you’re not. You may have a tendency to downplay what happened to you and not want a confrontation, but stating you are not hurt when you actually are will only make your case harder to make later when you are thinking more clearly.
- Don’t admit fault for the accident.
- Don’t give a recorded statement if the other party’s insurance company contacts you. They can use a recorded statement against you. Their goal in taking a recorded statement is to have you on record saying you are not injured.
Get Your Free Consultation Now
Seeking advice from a bike accident attorney early on after a bike injury is most helpful. Our attorneys at Padilla Law Group, LLP, can help protect your rights to seek compensation from the at-fault party in the accident. We can also negotiate maximum compensation and ensure that you are treated fairly. Call our Encinitas office at 760-536-4415 to discuss your case in a free consultation. Our attorneys get paid only once you get paid, so there is no risk in contacting us. You may reach out by phone or through our online contact form if that’s more convenient. We achieve exceptional results for our clients and can help you see what your case may be worth.