Electric bicycles have become a new and commonplace way to get around town. They are simple to rent as all you need to do is download an application on your phone and rent an electric scooter or electric bike. This has led to an uptick in e-bike accidents around Los Angeles. There are so many accidents due to some confusion on whether e-bikes fall under bicycle laws or motorcycle laws. Since this is complex, you will need a Los Angeles -Bike accident attorney.
E-Bike Laws in Los Angeles
There are several different types of classes of e-bicycles under California law. There is class 1, class 2, or class 3. The classes relate to how the bicycle is made and what features it has. Under California law, e-bikes are not vehicles even though they have motors. You do not need an operator’s permit to ride an e-bike. Some things that you are allowed to do include:
- Riding on the street
- Riding on the right side of the road
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Must signal when intending to turn
- Wearing a helmet if you are under the age of 18
- Cannot ride if under the influence of drugs or alcohol
You must follow the laws when you ride an electric bicycle.
Injuries From an E-Bike Accident
You may not think that an e-bike accident can lead to serious injury, but you would be mistaken as they can. Electric bicycles have motors that allow the bike to travel twice as fast as a regular bicycle. They also weigh more than a traditional bicycle. Between 2000 and 2017, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) found 3,075 e-bike injuries. Some of the most common injuries that can happen from an e-bike accident are:
- Internal bleeding
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee and shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Face and head injuries
These accidents can often happen because people are unfamiliar with how an electric bicycle works and its speed. This goes for riders and others on the road. There are many ways that an e-bike accident can happen, even including cars bacon out of their driveway and being utterly unaware of the bicycle rider. If you have been involved in an accident with an electric bicycle, you will need to contact a Los Angeles e-bike accident attorney.
Who Can be Held Liable For an E-Bike Accident?
Multiple parties can be held liable or found at fault during an e-bike accident. Some of these parties are:
- Pedestrians
- Motorists
- E-bicycle operators
- Traditional cyclists
There may be cases where an accident occurred because of faulty equipment. You will need to discuss the details of your case with a Los Angeles Ebike accident attorney.
Contact a Los Angeles E-Bike Accident Attorney Today
You may be entitled to compensation for any damages related to the accident, such as disability, lost wages, property loss, pain and suffering, and medical bills, both past and future. If you have been involved in an e-bike accident, you need to contact a Los Angeles e-bike accident attorney. Call the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg at 310-997-0904 or complete a contact form today to schedule a consultation.
