Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become popular in Sacramento and throughout California. Rentable e-bikes are available to the public from brands such as Lime, JUMP, and Practical Cycle Rentals & Service. Unfortunately, this has translated to an increase in the number of e-bike accidents – including deadly collisions.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our e-bike accident attorneys have represented victims of these collisions since the advent of these bicycles. Our Sacramento accident attorneys been helping injured Californians for over 50 years. Find out how we can help you and your family during this difficult time. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation in Sacramento.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers?
- Since 1972, our team has been a trusted source of high-quality legal representation for traffic accident victims in California. We have years of experience handling e-bike accident claims specifically.
- Our Sacramento e-bike accident attorneys will guide you carefully through every step of your e-bike accident claim to achieve the recovery you deserve, including helping you get appropriate medical treatment.
- Our Sacramento injury lawyers know how to get real results for real injuries; we’ve collected over $2 billion in settlements for our clients – the highest of any other law firm in California.
- You won’t be charged anything by your e-bike accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers unless we win your case. Our Sacramento personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
How an E-Bike Accident Attorney in Sacramento Can Help You
After an e-bike accident, you may be contacted by an insurance company right away – as soon as the same day. The insurance claims adjuster who contacts you will not have your best interests in mind, even if they sound polite on the phone. Their goal is to convince you to accept the lowest settlement possible.
The best thing you can do for your e-bike accident claim to protect your future is to contact a personal injury lawyer to represent you. A Sacramento e-bike accident lawyer will safeguard your rights as he or she takes over the legal side of your case for you.
While you focus on healing from a serious injury, your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the crash, preserve evidence of fault or negligence, communicate with insurance adjusters, negotiate for a fair and full settlement, and file a lawsuit in court in Sacramento County, if necessary. You can trust an attorney to pursue the case results you deserve.
What Is an E-Bike?
An e-bike or electric bicycle is a “bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power” (California Vehicle Code §312.5).
In California, the law recognizes three classes of e-bikes:
- Class 1: a low-speed pedal-assisted e-bike with a motor that assists only when the rider is pedaling and ceases when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour (mph).
- Class 2: a low-speed pedal-assisted e-bike with a motor that assists whether or not the rider is pedaling and ceases when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
- Class 3: a speed pedal-assisted e-bike with a motor that assists only when the rider is pedaling and ceases when the bicycle reaches 28 mph.
Riders must be at least 16 years old to operate Class 3 e-bikes in California. All e-bike riders under the age of 18 are legally required to wear helmets, regardless of the class of the bicycle.
Injured in an E-Bike Crash?
Contact Our Experienced Sacramento E-Bike Accident Lawyers Today
Who Is Liable for an E-Bike Accident in Sacramento, CA?
An e-bike accident can lead to severe injuries, expensive medical bills, significant physical pain, emotional and psychological trauma, and lost wages. While taking legal action won’t reverse your injuries or take away the harm you’ve suffered, it can make it easier to look toward the future with peace of mind.
The liable party, or the individual or entity that is responsible for paying for your e-bike accident in Sacramento, depends on the circumstances surrounding the crash. An experienced Sacramento e-bike accident attorney from Jacoby & Meyers can conduct a thorough investigation of your case to determine who is at fault.
A Negligent Driver
If you were riding an e-bike through Sacramento when a driver broke a traffic law and crashed into you, you may be able to access the driver’s auto insurance policy for coverage. California is an at-fault state, allowing injured accident victims to seek financial damages from the at-fault party. All drivers in the state must purchase minimum amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance to pay for at-fault accidents.
An E-Bike Rider
Every year, electric bicycle accidents are reported in California involving pedestrians who were struck by e-bikes and critically injured or killed. If you or a loved one got hit by an e-bike rider in Sacramento who was riding carelessly or recklessly, you may be able to bring a claim against the individual or a third party. If the person was on duty as a delivery driver, for example, the company may be held vicariously liable.
An E-Bike Manufacturer
Some e-bike accidents are caused by vehicle and product defects, such as tire blowouts and brake failures. In these situations, the manufacturer of the defective part could be held responsible with a product liability claim in Sacramento. If part failure was due to poor e-bike maintenance, the owner of the bike could be held accountable.
Common E-Bike Accident Injuries
E-bike accidents are often severe, since victims are largely unprotected. The operator of the electric bicycle as well as others involved in a collision could suffer a variety of injuries, including catastrophic or life-threatening damage.
Examples include:
- One or multiple bone fractures
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Dislocations
- Facial injuries
- Head and skull injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage or internal bleeding
- Road rash
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Losses of limb
Sadly, not everyone recovers from their e-bike accident injuries. If a loved one died in a fatal electric bike accident, contact us to discuss your family’s potential right to file a wrongful death claim in Sacramento.
Contact Our Sacramento E-Bike Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love was injured in a recent electric bicycle accident in Sacramento or the surrounding area, find out how the attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can help you recover, rebuild and return to the life you love sooner.
Contact our Sacramento e-bike accident lawyers today for a free consultation, where we will listen to your story and explore your legal rights in detail. Call our Sacramento law office directly at (916) 269-8918 anytime, day or night, for a no-cost e-bike accident case review.