Electric bikes have changed how New Yorkers get around. From commuters and delivery workers to riders using electric Citi Bikes, e-bikes are now a common sight throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and communities across Long Island.
But when an e-bike rider collides with a car, truck, bus, taxi, rideshare vehicle, or another road user, the consequences can be devastating.
Unlike occupants of motor vehicles, e-bike riders have little protection from the force of a collision. A crash can result in broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, nerve damage, permanent disability, and other serious injuries.
At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP, our New York personal injury attorneys represent cyclists and e-bike riders who have been seriously injured because of another person’s negligence.
If you were injured while riding an electric bicycle or electric Citi Bike in New York City, Long Island, or elsewhere in New York, contact SSKB to discuss your legal options.
E-bikes have become an important part of New York City’s transportation system.
Thousands of New Yorkers use electric bicycles for commuting, recreation, food delivery, and other everyday transportation. Electric Citi Bikes have also made pedal-assist bicycles readily available to riders throughout the city.
With more e-bikes sharing crowded streets with cars, taxis, trucks, buses, pedestrians, and traditional bicycles, serious collisions can occur.
New York City e-bike accidents frequently happen at:
Many crashes are preventable.
Drivers have a responsibility to remain alert for cyclists and e-bike riders, particularly when turning, changing lanes, opening vehicle doors, or crossing designated bicycle lanes.
E-bike crashes can happen for many of the same reasons as traditional bicycle accidents.
Common causes include:
A driver may turn through an intersection or bike lane without noticing an approaching e-bike rider.
Looking at a phone, navigation system, passenger, or other distraction can prevent a driver from seeing a cyclist until it is too late.
Turning vehicles are a major danger for cyclists. A driver may cross directly into an e-bike rider’s path while attempting to turn.
A driver or passenger may open a parked vehicle’s door into the path of an approaching cyclist.
Even at relatively low speeds, a dooring accident can throw an e-bike rider into traffic or onto the pavement.
Cars, delivery trucks, taxis, and other vehicles that stop or park in bike lanes can force cyclists into moving traffic.
The faster a vehicle is traveling, the less time a driver has to recognize and respond to a cyclist.
Trucks, buses, and other large vehicles have substantial blind spots. Riders may be especially vulnerable when a large vehicle turns across a bike lane.
Potholes, broken pavement, construction debris, poorly designed intersections, and other roadway hazards may also contribute to an e-bike accident.
Electric Citi Bikes have become another popular way to travel through New York City.
But Citi Bike riders face the same dangers as other cyclists when sharing the road with cars, trucks, buses, taxis, and rideshare vehicles.
Serious electric Citi Bike accidents can occur when:
The fact that you were riding a rented bicycle rather than a bicycle you personally own generally does not prevent you from pursuing a claim against a negligent driver.
An electric Citi Bike accident may also raise additional questions involving the bicycle itself, available insurance coverage, and how the crash occurred.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances and determine which parties may be legally responsible.
SSKB secured a $1.5 million settlement for a 27-year-old bicyclist who was struck by a vehicle while riding a Citi Bike through a Manhattan intersection.
The collision caused a fractured leg that required surgery. Despite treatment, the rider later developed foot drop, a permanent condition affecting mobility and daily function.
The case was handled by SSKB Partner John Zervopoulos.
“Cyclists are among the most vulnerable people on our roads. A moment of inattention behind the wheel can leave someone with injuries that impact every aspect of their life. We were proud to help our client secure a resolution that recognizes the lasting effects of these injuries and provides meaningful compensation for his future.”
— John Zervopoulos, Partner, Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro LLP
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its individual facts.
Liability depends on how the crash occurred.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
Some accidents involve more than one responsible party.
For example, a cyclist may be struck by a commercial vehicle while also encountering an unsafe roadway condition. Investigating all potential causes can be important because different defendants may have different insurance coverage and legal responsibilities.
Delivery workers are among the most frequent e-bike users in New York City.
Restaurants, delivery services, and app-based platforms rely heavily on cyclists to move food and goods throughout the city.
Delivery riders can spend hours each day navigating traffic and may be exposed to a greater risk of collisions simply because of the amount of time they spend on the road.
New York City has specific safety requirements affecting commercial bicycling and delivery workers.
If a delivery worker is injured in an e-bike accident, the available legal options may depend on employment status, how the collision occurred, available insurance coverage, and whether workers’ compensation or another source of benefits applies.
E-bike accidents can cause catastrophic injuries.
Common injuries may include:
Fractures of the legs, arms, wrists, ankles, hips, and shoulders are common when cyclists are struck by vehicles or thrown onto pavement.
Some fractures require surgery, plates, screws, rods, or other orthopedic hardware.
A rider’s head may strike the pavement, a vehicle, or another object during a crash.
Brain injuries can range from concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries that cause long-term cognitive and physical impairment.
E-bike collisions can cause herniated discs, vertebral fractures, nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis.
Traumatic injuries and fractures may damage nerves and lead to weakness, numbness, chronic pain, or conditions such as foot drop.
Cyclists frequently suffer serious injuries to their knees, legs, ankles, and feet.
The force of a collision may cause internal bleeding or damage to organs.
When riders are thrown onto pavement, severe abrasions can result in permanent scars or require skin grafts.
Some e-bike crashes are fatal.
When a cyclist dies because of another person’s negligence, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a New York wrongful death claim.
The compensation available depends on the severity of the injuries, how the accident occurred, and its impact on the injured person’s life.
A personal injury claim may seek compensation for:
Serious injuries may require years of treatment and affect a person’s ability to work, live independently, or participate in activities they previously enjoyed.
If you are injured in an e-bike accident:
Get medical attention.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent after a crash.
Call the police.
A police accident report can provide important information about the collision.
Document the scene if you can safely do so.
Photographs or video of the vehicles, bicycle, intersection, traffic signals, roadway conditions, and injuries may become important evidence.
Get witness information.
Independent witnesses can be valuable when drivers and cyclists disagree about how the crash occurred.
Preserve the e-bike.
If there is any possibility that a mechanical problem contributed to the accident, avoid repairing or disposing of the bicycle before it can be evaluated.
Save digital evidence.
Keep Citi Bike records, app information, delivery records, photographs, messages, and other information related to the ride.
Be cautious when speaking with an insurance company.
Insurance representatives may ask for statements shortly after an accident.
Speak with a New York e-bike accident lawyer.
An attorney can investigate the accident, identify available insurance coverage, preserve evidence, and determine which parties may be responsible.
New York imposes deadlines for filing personal injury claims.
The exact deadline can vary depending on the defendant and the circumstances of the accident.
Claims involving New York City, another municipality, or another government entity may have substantially shorter notice requirements than an ordinary personal injury lawsuit.
For that reason, injured riders should not wait until the end of the general filing period to investigate their legal rights.
Speaking with an attorney promptly can help preserve evidence and identify any deadlines that apply.
Potentially. If another driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the collision, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Yes. Certain qualifying electric bicycles are legal to operate in New York City, subject to applicable New York State and New York City rules.
New York City currently limits e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-assist bicycles to 15 miles per hour on city streets.
Potentially. Riding an electric Citi Bike does not by itself prevent you from pursuing a claim against a negligent motorist or another responsible party.
Fault should be determined by examining the evidence. Police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, traffic signals, and other evidence may help establish how the crash occurred.
Delivery riders may have several potential sources of benefits or compensation depending on their employment status, the driver involved, available insurance, and how the accident occurred.
A dangerous roadway condition may create a potential claim depending on who was responsible for maintaining the roadway, whether legally required notice existed, and other circumstances. Claims against municipalities have special procedural requirements and deadlines.
Potentially. E-bike riders have obligations to operate safely and yield to pedestrians. A pedestrian injured because of negligent e-bike operation may have a personal injury claim.
If a defective battery, brake, frame, tire, or other component contributed to an accident, a product liability investigation may be appropriate. Preserve the bicycle and any damaged components whenever possible.
E-bike accidents can involve serious injuries and complicated questions about traffic laws, insurance coverage, liability, and future medical needs.
At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP, our attorneys represent people who have suffered serious injuries in bicycle, e-bike, motor vehicle, and other personal injury accidents throughout New York.
We prepare cases with the expectation that they may ultimately proceed to trial and investigate the evidence needed to determine who was responsible for our client’s injuries.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured while riding an e-bike or electric Citi Bike in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, or elsewhere in New York, contact SSKB to discuss your case.
Call SSKB or contact us online for a free consultation with a New York e-bike accident attorney.