Since being legalized in New York City in 2020, electric bikes, commonly referred to as e-bikes, have become commonplace across all boroughs. With the ability to travel at speeds between 20 – 25 miles per hour, and without any licensing requirements, e-bikes are popular not only among delivery drivers, but for recreational or commuter purposes as well. With so many e-bikes on the roads, the potential for them to be involved in accidents has also grown exponentially. Because of their ability to go fast, as well as the lack of protection any bikes provide, victims of e-bike accidents face more significant injuries. Forest Hills e-bike accident lawyer Michael J. Redenburg assists victims of these crashes with their legal claims. More often than not it is another motorist’s negligence that has caused an e-bike crash, and it should be those at-fault who bear financial responsibility. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an e-bike accident, call our office today at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to find out more about your legal options.
Forest Hills E-Bike Accidents
Residents of Forest Hills increased their use of battery-powered devices such as e-bikes in recent years. As delivery apps such as GrubHub and DoorDash increase in popularity, their drivers also rely on this mode of transportation. Across New York City, Citi-Bike e-bikes are ridden triple the amount of non-motorized bicycles. Unfortunately, this also means the dangers on the road are also more frequent. In 2022, three times as many fatalities occurred on micro-mobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, than in collisions involving traditionally pedaled bicycles. Streets in Forest Hills such as Queens Boulevard and Austin Street can be particularly dangerous. If you’ve been injured or a loved one has suffered a fatal injury, having a seasoned Forest Hills e-bike accident attorney on your side is important to maintaining your legal rights.
Many factors can contribute to causing an e-bike collision. Often it is another road user that acts negligently by following a rider too closely; failing to check a blind spot before changing lanes, or opening their vehicle’s doors into a bike lane. Defective e-bikes or their parts can also cause accidents and related injuries. Citi Bike had to take bikes off the market in 2019 for brake issues. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) subsequently conducted an investigation which found brake issues as the second-most common danger in causing e-bike or e-scooter injuries.
Personal injury or wrongful death claims arising out of an e-bike accident require a showing of negligence. A defendant is negligent when they have breached a duty of reasonable care that they owe to the plaintiff. That breach must also be shown as a proximate cause of a plaintiff’s injury or death. A knowledgeable e-bike accident lawyer in Forest Hills can help you establish these elements. For example, drivers can breach a duty of reasonable care by tailgating, texting while driving, or speeding. Manufacturers are also subject to strict liability for injuries, or deaths, caused by their defective products.
In these cases, evidence such as expert and witness testimony, documentation regarding a defective product design or manufacturing methods, as well as police reports are vital in proving liability. Police reports for e-bike accidents that occur in Forest Hills are available from the New York Police Department’s 112th Precinct. Their headquarters are located at 68-40 Austin Street. Reports can also be obtained online at the NYPD Collision Report Portal or from the DMV website for a fee. These reports are generally available within seven business days of an accident.
E-bike Accident Lawyer in Forest Hills
If you’ve been injured in an e-bike collision, you may be entitled to compensation in order to cover your medical bills, loss of income due to time away from work, any changes in your ability to make a living, as well as pain and suffering you suffered as a result of the accident. Forest Hills e-bike accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg is dedicated to making sure victims receive the financial assistance they need from those who have caused their harm. Mr. Redenburg represents clients in Forest Hills as well as throughout New York City in pursuing personal injury and wrongful death claims. If you have questions about your legal rights in the aftermath of an e-bike accident, call us at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today to see how we may be able to help get the Wheels of Justice spinning for you!