San Marcos E-Bike Accident Lawyer

Did you know that data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows that “fatalities associated with electric bike ridership have increased exponentially” in recent years? As more people rent e-bikes and purchase them, more of these vehicles are on the streets and involved in serious single-vehicle crashes as well as collisions with other motor vehicles. Given the high speeds that e-bikes can reach, injuries in accidents often are more severe than those impacting traditional bicyclists, and they often result in a necessary trip to an emergency department.

E-bikes are everywhere in San Marcos these days. Especially around the schools, where students of all ages use them to transport to and from school up and down the hilly roads. E-bikes can be extremely dangerous, and accidents on these vehicles can result in devastating injuries. An article in Fortune cites the following as commonly cited injuries in emergency departments following e-bike crashes:

• Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
• Spine fractures and spinal cord injuries (SCIs);
• Chest injuries;
• Organ damage; and
• Extremity fractures, including bone fractures affecting the arms and legs.

According to Fortune, an emergency department physician recently described the severity of e-bike injuries as “ICU level of care,” meaning that the injuries are extremely serious.

What are some of the most common causes of e-bike accidents and injuries? In general, the following are some frequently cited causes of e-bike crashes and collisions in Southern California and throughout the state:

• Speeding, on an e-bike or in a motor vehicle that collides with an e-bike;
• Failure to wear proper safety gear on an e-bike, such as a helmet;
• Distracted riding or distracted driving;
• Alcohol intoxication, whether while riding an e-bike or driving a vehicle that collides with an e-bike; and
• Failure to adhere to laws and rules concerning safe e-bike usage in California and San Marcos specifically.

How much time do you have to file a lawsuit after being injured in an e-bike accident? The timeline set by California law is known as the statute of limitations, and for most personal injury claims in California, you will have two years. The clock will start ticking on the date of your injury, and from that point forward, you will have two years to file your claim. If the injured party is a minor, there may be more time. It is also important to know, however, that certain cases can have shorter timelines, so you should always talk to a lawyer to determine how long you have to file a case before your claim becomes time-barred.

Although e-bikes have become extremely popular in California and throughout the country, they are also very dangerous and frequently result in serious injuries. If you got hurt while using an e-bike, or if you were injured in a collision with an e-bike, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. One of the experienced San Marcos personal injury attorneys at our firm can speak with you today about your options. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about how we assist injury victims in e-bike accident cases.