Manhattan E-Bike Accident Lawyer
In just the past few years, there has been a surge of e-bike and electric scooters seen on the streets of Manhattan. If you are not convinced, just ask your local emergency room doctor. Between 2017 and 2021, the number of emergency room visits due to accidents involving e-bikes and other so-called micro mobility devices more than doubled.
As with any bicycle or open two-wheeled vehicle, an e-bike offers no real protection for the user in the event of a collision with another vehicle or the road. On top of that, many e-bikes are themselves safety hazards due to faulty design and manufacturing practices. What this means is that if you, or someone that you care about, has been seriously injured in an e-bike accident, there may be a number of parties who can be held financially responsible. A Manhattan e-bike accident lawyer can advise you further. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is a New York City personal injury firm with 37 years experience in helping all kinds of accident victims seek justice.
Why Are There So Many E-Bike Accidents in Manhattan?
There are a multitude of reasons why we continue to see increases in e-bike accidents here in Manhattan:
- Aggressive Drivers: Manhattan drivers have a reputation for aggressive driving that is often well-deserved. But behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, and tailgating place e-bike users at heightened risk for a collision.
- Impaired Driving: Sharing the road with e-bikes requires motorists to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially given that e-bikes are small and can quickly fall within a driver’s blind spot. A driver who is impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue are far more likely to miss seeing an e-bike until it is too late.
- Defective E-Bikes: The recent surge in e-bike demand has led to many manufacturers and rental companies placing units on the market that are not safe for daily usage. In particular, there has been a significant increase in reports of deadly fires caused by defective lithium-ion batteries that are commonly used to power e-bikes.
- Poor Road Conditions: When a car drives over a pothole, it is usually no big deal. When an e-bike hits a similar roadway hazard, in contrast, the operator may be thrown from their bike and into traffic.
In collisions between e-bikes and motor vehicles, the motorist’s no-fault insurance may cover the injured cyclist’s medical bills and lost wages up to the $50,000 limits for personal injury protection. But the no-fault rules do not apply to certain types of e-bikes, nor do they cover potential claims involving product liability or negligence on the part of New York City in maintaining its roads. So an injured e-bike operator may have a number of potential legal claims depending on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding their accident.
Contact Our Manhattan E-Bike Accident Lawyers Today
Navigating New York’s complex web of rules governing e-bike accidents and insurance claims can quickly overwhelm a victim who is already struggling to recover from their injuries. This is where working with an experienced Manhattan e-bike accident lawyer can prove invaluable. Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., at 212-725-8500 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
