Single-Vehicle E-Bike Accidents in Brooklyn: Can I Sue?

If you crashed your e-bike into a pole, tree, or other structure, you might be recovering from serious injuries. Contact Cohan Law, PLLC to determine whether an e-bike accident lawsuit in Brooklyn is possible.

If No One Else Was to Blame, Suing Might Be Difficult

In order to successfully pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you must hold someone else “liable” for your injuries. In other words, you must establish that someone else contributed to your e-bike crash in some way. If no one else contributed to the collision and you simply crashed into a pole or tree, a lawsuit may not be the right choice.

That being said, parties often contribute to e-bike crashes in subtle ways. Even if no one actually came into contact with you, certain people or companies might have caused or contributed to your injuries.

Did Your E-Bike Malfunction Before the Crash?

If your e-bike malfunctioned in some way before the crash, you may be able to sue the manufacturer. For example, the e-bike’s brakes may have failed. Perhaps a wheel came loose. Maybe you experienced a sudden surge of acceleration, even though you did not activate the throttle. Situations like these may lead to successful product liability claims.

Did You Crash Because of a “Near Miss?”

Even if another driver did not come into contact with you, they may still have caused your crash. For example, a driver might have suddenly pulled out of a driveway into your path. With no time to react, you might have swerved away from the vehicle and onto the sidewalk. This maneuver might have caused you to crash into a utility pole. In this situation, you could sue the driver for failing to yield when pulling out of the driveway.

Did You Crash Because of a Road Defect?

Perhaps you crashed because of a pothole or crack in the road. In this situation, it is theoretically possible to sue the city for poor road maintenance. Although these claims are only successful under specific circumstances, they are certainly within the realms of possibility.

Did You Crash Into Something Else? 

In the modern era, the roads and sidewalks are filled with all kinds of hazards. Even something like a food delivery robot could theoretically cause you to crash while riding an e-bike. If you believe that some kind of hazard caused you to crash your e-bike, you’re probably right. Discuss these suspicions with a lawyer and determine whether you can sue.

Key Takeaways

• You must hold another party liable for your e-bike accident during an injury lawsuit
• Near misses can cause e-bike riders to swerve and crash
• Negligent drivers may still be responsible for “no-contact” e-bike crashes

Can a Brooklyn E-Bike Accident Lawyer Help Me? 

If you were involved in an e-bike accident and you’re not sure whether anyone else was to blame, consider speaking with an experienced e-bike accident lawyer in Brooklyn. These legal professionals can determine whether anyone contributed to your accident in any way.

Serious about an e-bike accident lawsuit? Contact Cohan Law, PLLC to receive clear answers during a free consultation.

Sources:

nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ebikes.shtml

peopleforbikes.org/news/nyc-emobility-risks