Oceanside E-Bike Accident Lawyer

Anyone who lives in Oceanside or has visited knows that e-bikes, or electric bikes, are a common sight around town, and the numbers are growing. In addition to the people who use e-bikes around the Oceanside homes, there are companies renting e-bikes to residents and tourists alike. While San Diego County has safety rules for e-bikes in Oceanside and throughout the county, serious e-bike accidents occur frequently, and people get hurt. E-bike accidents can have many causes, including negligent driving in collisions with automobiles, as well as defects and negligence among e-bike riders.

If you were involved in an e-bike accident, it is important to talk with an attorney to find out if another party may be responsible for providing compensation. These accidents can require extensive medical care, and they often result in disabilities. As such, compensation is usually a necessity. To discuss the details of your case, you should get in touch with an Oceanside e-bike accident lawyer today.

E-bikes might seem like a fun way to get around Oceanside - and they can be effective for both transportation and recreation - yet they are also dangerous. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently cited a rapid increase in visits to emergency departments due to e-bike injuries, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has identified a notable rise in e-bike fatalities.

While San Diego County restricts e-bikes from traveling at speeds above 28 miles per hour on roads, many e-bikes can actually reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, posing serious risks to riders in the event of a collision. When riders are involved in single-vehicle crashes (e-bike crashes alone) or collisions with motorists, they can sustain a wide range of injuries that can be relatively minor to severe and life-threatening. Examples of injuries can include, for example:

• Burns, road rash, and abrasions;
• Serious lacerations;
• Disfiguration, including traumatic amputations and facial disfiguration;
• Broken bones;
• Traumatic brain injuries, which can include concussions;
• Spinal cord injuries, which can involve paralysis; and
• Internal bleeding and organ damage.

What can you do to avoid an e-bike injury in Oceanside? The Bike Coalition of San Diego County recommends the following:

• Ride in the bike lane if you are riding slower than traffic, but ride in the street with traffic if you are traveling at the same speed as traffic;
• Do not take a Class 3 e-bike onto trails or designated bike paths;
• Always avoid riding on sidewalks and in crosswalks;
• Never take a passenger unless your e-bike is specifically equipped for passengers;
• Adhere to traffic rules, which means obeying traffic lights, signs, and signals;
• Slow down in areas with pedestrians; and
• Wear a helmet.

If you are injured in an e-bike accident, California law usually gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. However, in certain circumstances, you could have only six months to one year to file a claim, so it is important to discuss the details of your case with one of the experienced Oceanside e-bike lawyers at our firm as soon as possible. Contact the Walton Law Firm today for assistance with your e-bike injury claim.