Irvine E-Bike Accident Attorneys

Irvine E-Bike Accident Attorneys Can Seek Compensation

E-bikes can be a great way to get out, see sights, and exercise. Increasingly, employees are also using e-bikes to commute to work. Inevitably, though, increased electric bicycle use also means increased injury accidents. Irvine e-bike accident attorneys can seek compensation from responsible parties when this happens.

Sales of e-bikes continue to surge. Roughly 130 million e-bikes will be sold worldwide between 2020 and 2023, according to a study cited by the New York Times. The e-bike market was valued at $27.22 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $54.48 billion by 2027. E-bikes are extremely popular in California, a trend that accelerated during the pandemic as people looked for ways to get outdoors. E-bikes also enable people to lower their carbon footprint.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an e-bike accident – colliding with a pedestrian, being hit by a car, or crashing after hitting a patch of gravel – you may be entitled to financial damages. This is especially true if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence. To find out about your legal rights, talk to the Irvine e-bike accident attorneys at Neale & Fhima.

Why Choose Us

At Neale & Fhima, our Irvine e-bike accident attorneys are out in front in this new area of the law. We have many years of experience in winning personal injury cases. Attorney Aaron Fhima aggressively represents clients who have been harmed through little fault of their own. He is supported by a legal team that shows compassion and care for each client we serve. We receive outstanding testimonials from our many satisfied clients.

How We Can Help with Irvine Electric Bike Accidents

Our Irvine electric bike accident lawyers are experienced in helping injured victims understand their legal rights. Information is power, and we believe in educating our clients about the law. We will fight to get the maximum payout possible in every client’s case. Following are the ways we can help. We will:

1. Explain your rights and options for a legal remedy
2. Gather evidence and conduct an accident scene investigation
3. Make sure you are getting the medical care you need, as you can use medical records to prove your case
4. Interview accident witnesses and hire expert witnesses, if needed
5. File court documents and attend in person any court hearings
6. Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf
7. Argue your case in court, if necessary.

The legal system can be overwhelming, and studies show that victims represented by skilled attorneys secure significantly higher payouts than individuals who try to deal with insurance companies by themselves. Our experienced personal injury attorneys give you an edge over your opponent.

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FAQs: Electric Bike Accidents

At Neale & Fhima, our attorneys are familiar with Irvine electric bike accidents, and we hear a lot of the same questions over and over from clients. Here, for your convenience, are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

• Can I ride e-bikes on sidewalks in California?

  There is no statewide law in California that prohibits bike riding (traditional or e-bike) on sidewalks. California Vehicle Code Section 21206 grants local governments the authority to set their own rules about where and when bikes can be ridden, so rules are different from city to city and county to county.

• Where do I find California’s laws and regulations about e-bikes?

  California created a new e-bike law that defines e-bikes into three categories:

  • Type 1 – Bikes with a top assisted speed of 20 mph that must be pedaled to operate.
  • Type 2 – Bikes with a top assisted speed of 20 mph that can be operated without pedaling by using a handlebar-mounted throttle.
  • Type 3 – Bikes with a top assisted speed of 28 mph that must be pedaled to operate.

  The rules you must follow can depend on the type of bike you own. Bikeways are divided into four categories – Classes I, II, III, and IIII – which determine how and where you are allowed to ride traditional bikes as well as e-bikes.

• Can e-bicyclists cross toll bridges?

  Electric and traditional bike riders may not cross a toll bridge without a special permit from the California Department of Transportation (DOT) or unless signage is present saying that such crossing is permitted. VEH 23330

• What side of the road are e-bicyclists supposed to ride on?

  Bicyclists (traditional and e-bikes) must ride on the right-hand side of the roadway in the direction of traffic. Exceptions include when passing, making a left turn, riding on a road that’s too narrow, riding on a one-way street, or riding where the right side of the road is closed because of construction. VEH 21650

• How much does an e-bike attorney cost?

  At Neale & Fhima, our Irvine e-bike accident attorneys work on contingency, which means the defendant’s insurance company pays your legal fees and case expenses in successful personal injury claims.

• Are helmets required to ride e-bikes in California?

  All electric bike riders aged 17 and under are required to wear helmets when riding in California.

The electric bike scene in California is growing and changing rapidly. You can check back for new information periodically at the California Bicycle Association (CALBIKE) website.

Bicycle Injuries and Fatalities

Deaths among adult bicycle riders have nearly quadrupled in the last 50 years as bicycling has become very popular as a recreational sport, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). About 1,260 people die in bike accidents annually in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council, and thousands more are injured. Causes of bike accidents include:

• hit by a car
• collision with a pedestrian
• crash into a stationary object
• slide on gravel or wet pavement
• tumble after hitting a pothole or uneven pavement
• crash into another bicyclist
• bike mechanical malfunction causes you to lose control.

The most severe bicyclist injuries include neck and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, road rash, and even paralysis.

E-bikes are much riskier for serious injuries than traditional, non-motorized bicycles, according to a recent study cited by Reuters. Adults riding e-bikes are more likely to be hospitalized after a crash than people riding traditional bikes. Also, e-bike injuries are at least three times more likely to involve a collision with a pedestrian.

California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule

The state of California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means that an injury victim can sue for compensation even if they are partially at fault for the e-bike accident. Unlike many other states that recognize comparative negligence, bicycle injury victims can recover compensation even if they are more than 50% at fault for the accident.

Here is an example of how pure comparative negligence works. If you are awarded $400,000 in an e-bike accident settlement after you were hit by a car, but you are found to be 20% responsible for the accident because you did not cross the street at an intersection, you will only be awarded $320,000 in total damages ($400,000 reduced by 20%).

Negligence laws can be a bit confusing, and that is where Irvine e-bike accident lawyers can help. They can listen to your side of the story, review the bike laws in the community you were riding in, and explain how these city and county bike laws might impact your case.

How Do Irvine E-Bike Accident Attorneys Prove Negligence?

Irvine electric bike accident attorneys must prove 4 elements to establish negligence in a lawsuit. These include:

1. Duty
2. Breach
3. Causation
4. Damages/Harm.

This means your e-bike accident lawyer must show that the defendant (1) owed you a duty of care, (2) breached that duty, (3) caused you harm, and (4) the harm you suffered can be measured and compensated for by awarding financial damages.

What’s the Statute of Limitations on an Irvine Electric Bike Accident?

E-bikes can be dangerous resulting in collisions with pedestrians and cars. When this happens, you need an Irvine e-bike accident lawyer to fight for your rights. The sooner you act, the better. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in California is two years from the date the injury took place. If the statute of limitations expires, a judge can dismiss your case, barring you from recovering damages.

Every accident claim is different, so there is no “average” settlement amount in these cases. Generally, the more severe your injuries, the greater the payout. Other factors that can impact how much you receive in a settlement include the maximum amount of insurance coverage the defendant has; the amount of medical bills, lost wages, and property damage you have sustained; and whether punitive damages are awarded. A skilled Irvine e-bike accident lawyer can assess your situation and offer an analysis of what your claim might be worth.

Compensation You Could Be Entitled To

If you are injured in an Irvine e-bike accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. These include:

Economic

• Doctor and hospital bills
• Missed wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Cost of future medical care and rehabilitation
• Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Property damage.

Non-Economic

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Humiliation from scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

In some cases, a judge can also award punitive damages to punish the defendant for careless disregard for others’ safety.

3 Reasons to Choose Neale & Fhima

We understand there are a lot of attorneys to choose from in California, but our legal team stands head and shoulders above the rest. Here are 3 reasons to choose Neale & Fhima to represent you:

1. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF PROVEN RESULTS.

   Our office and attorneys have maintained a successful track record of winning. We have secured more than $50 million in compensation for our clients.

2. WE FIGHT FOR MAXIMUM RECOVERY.

   Simply put, we do what it takes to win. We do not want you to settle for anything less than maximum compensation.

3. WE OFFER FREE CONSULTATIONS.

   We offer free initial consultations by phone and in person. We want you to make an informed decision about your legal representation.

Call Our Skilled Electric Bike Accident Lawyers Today

Accidents are bound to happen as more and more e-bicycles travel roads and bike paths in California. E-bikes can travel at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour or more, which means a hard landing and road rash for anyone who catapults over the handlebars or falls off a bike after colliding with a pedestrian or car. This can mean serious injuries and even death. A skilled bicycle accident attorney at Neale & Fhima can fight for the compensation you deserve. We know how to make the law work in your favor. We will negotiate aggressively to get the maximum payout possible in your case. Neale & Fhima has an outstanding record of success winning personal injury cases. To find out more about how we can help, call our Irvine e-bike accident attorneys for a free initial consultation at 888-407-2955.

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