If you are involved in an e-bike accident resulting from another driver’s or party’s wrongful actions, you may file a claim for compensation. When doing so, you must first prove that another individual caused it, and this accident resulted in your injuries or other damages.
In this article, you will learn how to file a claim for compensation after an e-bike crash and how to protect your rights in such cases.
Why Are E-Bike Accidents So Dangerous?
E-bikes can weigh over 70 pounds and reach speeds of 28 mph, much faster and heavier than a traditional bicycle. Riders often underestimate the momentum, while drivers and pedestrians misjudge their speed.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- There was a 21% increase in micromobility-related injuries in 2022 compared to 2021.
- 23% average annual increase in injuries since 2017.
- E-scooter injuries rose 22% from 2021 to 2022.
- 46% of all e-bike injuries (2017–2022) occurred in 2022 alone.
- 233 reported deaths from micromobility devices (2017–2022); numbers likely underreported.
- 360,800 emergency visits related to micromobility devices (2017–2022).
Moreover, the study also found that:
- Common injuries related to e-bike collisions include fractures, contusions, and abrasions.
- Frequently affected areas in such crashes are the head, neck, arms, and legs.
Apart from the actual motor crash, defective lithium-ion batteries have caused dozens of fires, where firefighters have reported explosions, injuries, and deaths linked to faulty e-bike batteries.
Who Are Most Likely to be Injured in an E-Bike Accident?
Electric bikes have gained popularity in recent years as a pleasant, energy-efficient way to go around town while providing numerous health benefits. While these electric rides promise speed, convenience, and sustainability, they also pose serious risks, especially for certain groups of people.
Data shows that some communities are disproportionately affected, including children, low-income urban riders, and others.
- Women made up one-quarter of e-bike injury cases in 2022.
- About 75% of e-bike accidents involved male riders.
- Riders aged 35 to 44 had the highest rate of reported accidents.
- Children under 16 accounted for 12% of injuries, often due to not wearing helmets or proper safety gear.
- Hospitalizations for seniors aged 65 and older due to e-bike crashes rose by 55% between 2019 and 2023.
- In 35% of pedestrian-related e-bike accidents, the pedestrian also suffered injuries.
What to Do When Involved in an E-Bike Accident
- Move to a safe location if possible, especially if the accident occurred on a roadway or bike lane.
- Check yourself and others for injuries. E-bike crashes often involve high-impact injuries due to speed and battery weight. Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine as internal injuries or concussions may not show symptoms immediately.
- Call 911 immediately and report the incident, even if injuries seem minor.
- Document the scene by taking photos of your injuries, the e-bike, any vehicles or obstacles involved, and the surrounding area.
- Collect contact information from all parties involved, including witnesses and drivers (if a car was involved).
- Keep your helmet and gear. Do not repair or throw anything away; damaged gear may support your injury claim.
- Contact a personal injury attorney experienced in e-bike accidents to protect your rights and assess whether you can pursue compensation.
Can I Seek Compensation for an E-Bike Crash?
Yes. If someone else’s carelessness caused your e-bike accident, you have the right to hold them accountable and pursue compensation. That can include your medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and the emotional toll of the injuries you’ve suffered.
But to win a negligence claim, you’ll need to prove that the other party’s reckless or thoughtless behavior directly caused your crash and injuries.
What Does Negligence Look Like in an E-Bike Crash?
Negligence happens when someone fails to act with the caution and responsibility that any reasonable person should. When that failure puts vulnerable road users like e-bike riders at risk, the consequences can be devastating.
For example, a driver scrolling through their phone doesn’t see the bike lane ahead. You’re riding your e-bike with your helmet on and following traffic laws when their car suddenly veers right, cutting across your path. You slam the brakes, but it’s too late. You crash hard, thrown onto the pavement, resulting in injuries to your arm and back.
That driver’s distraction was negligence because no reasonable person would drive while distracted. Moreover, since their actions caused your suffering, they may be held legally and financially responsible.
Common E-Bike Accident Scenarios That May Qualify for a Claim
You may be eligible for a personal injury claim if your accident involved:
- A reckless driver who struck you while you were on your e-bike
- A malfunctioning e-bike, such as sudden battery fires or brake failures
- A negligent rider who hit you while riding at excessive speeds or violating traffic laws
- Poor road conditions, such as unmarked hazards or potholes, led to a crash
- Defective charging equipment or batteries that caused burns or explosions
Whether riding the e-bike, walking nearby, or even driving a car when the accident happened, you may have a legal right to compensation if someone else was at fault.
What Can I Recover After an E-Bike Crash in California?
If someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries, California law allows you to seek financial recovery for what you’ve lost. Here are the damages you may be entitled to:
-
Emergency Room and Hospital Expenses
The immediate aftermath of an e-bike crash often involves ambulance rides, ER visits, X-rays, MRIs, and even surgery. You shouldn’t have to shoulder those costs if someone else’s negligence put you in that situation. -
Ongoing Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
Many injuries, especially spinal, brain, or orthopedic injuries, require long-term care. That includes physical therapy, follow-up visits, medications, and in some cases, mobility aids or home modifications. -
Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential
If your injuries forced you to take time off work, or if your condition now limits the type of work you can do, you may be able to recover the income you’ve lost and future earnings you may never be able to earn again. -
Pain and Emotional Suffering
Physical pain is only one part of the trauma. Many victims suffer emotionally from anxiety, PTSD, depression, or simply the loss of joy in doing everyday things. California law recognizes that your suffering matters. -
Damage to Your E-Bike or Other Property
E-bikes aren’t cheap, and neither are your personal belongings. If the crash damages your bike or gear, you can also seek compensation for those losses. -
Punitive Damages (in Rare Cases)
Courts may award punitive damages if the person responsible acted with extreme recklessness or intentional harm, like a driver speeding through a red light or assaulting a rider. The goal of this type of damage is to punish the wrongdoer and prevent others from making similar dangerous choices.
You shouldn’t have to fight alone to be made whole again. If you’ve been injured in an e-bike crash, talking to a California e-bike accident lawyer can help you understand your options and start moving forward with the justice and support you deserve.
If a Teen Causes an E-Bike Crash, Who Is Liable?
If a teenager causes an e-bike crash, they can be held liable. However, because they are minors, their parents or legal guardians may share legal and financial responsibility, especially if:
- The teen was acting negligently or recklessly, such as riding against traffic, speeding, or using the e-bike in an unsafe or unauthorized way.
- The parents were negligent in supervision, such as allowing a child too young or inexperienced to operate an e-bike.
- The parents owned the e-bike and permitted its use, especially if they knew their child had a history of unsafe riding or violations.
In California, while teens aged 16 and up can legally ride e-bikes, liability doesn’t disappear with age. If a 17-year-old crashes into a pedestrian or another cyclist due to reckless behavior, they may still be responsible for the injuries, and their parents may be on the hook for damages through vicarious liability or negligent entrustment.
Do I Need a California E-Bike Accident Lawyer for My Case?
E-bike accident cases aren’t always straightforward. Was another rider at fault? A distracted driver? A defective battery or brake? Or maybe a city failed to maintain a safe road or bike lane? An experienced California e-bike accident lawyer can dig deep to uncover the truth, gather critical evidence, and hold the right party accountable.
An attorney can also do the following to win your case:
- Gather evidence and determine who is liable for the crash.
- Calculate the total damages.
- Negotiate with the insurance providers.
- Meet legal deadlines.
- Proceed with your case to trial, if needed.
Call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at 800-333-0000 for your free consultation. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
You shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s negligence. If your life has been disrupted by an e-bike crash, we’re ready to investigate your case, prove liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our legal team has decades of experience representing injury victims across California.
After a crash, decisions can’t wait. Call our lawyers today for free guidance and a review of your rights.
What Our Clients Say About Us
No other personal injury lawyer will fight for you as passionately as we will, even though many may take on your case and prepare a legal defense. As proved by our previous clients, our lawyers are extraordinarily well-equipped to put up a claim without making any mistakes:
“They were very nice and helpful. I felt they were there for me.” – Diana C.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims
Need to learn more about accident claims? We want to help you! Here are common questions injured victims ask, which may clarify various aspects of your case.
- Who Is Liable for a Bike Crash Without Reflective Gear?
- Is a Cyclist Without a Helmet Liable for a Bike Accident?
- Why Won’t a California Personal Injury Attorney Take My Case?
- 6 Things To Consider When Calculating Personal Injury Settlements
References
E-Scooter and E-Bike Injuries Soar: 2022 Injuries Increased Nearly 21%. (2023, October 17). Consumer Product Safety Commission. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/E-Scooter-and-E-Bike-Injuries-Soar-2022-Injuries-Increased-Nearly-21
Linder, J. (2025, April 29). Electric Bike Accident Statistics. gitnux.org. https://gitnux.org/electric-bike-accident-statistics/
