Though electric-powered bicycles have been in use for decades, they really spiked in popularity around 2020 when people realized the benefits. In the last few years, purchases of e-bikes have exceeded $1.3 billion, according to a PBS report. These vehicles are popular for many of the same reasons as e-scooters. Such as ease in parking, affordable price, and flexibility. E-bikes have an added bonus of contributing to health and well-being. Since they do require the user to exert effort through pedaling.
However, as the sales of e-bikes have soared, so have challenges with accidents. In addition to the risk of collisions with motorized vehicles, users have had to contend with battery fires and other equipment failures. If you were hurt, it is important to discuss your legal remedies with a Baltimore County e-bike and scooter accident attorney. Plus, you can learn more about your rights by reviewing some basic facts.
- E-Bikes and Other Traffic Accidents: Though you may be operating a two-wheeled vehicle powered by a battery, your legal options after a collision follow other traffic crash laws. You must prove the essential elements of negligence. This means you need evidence showing that the accident happened because the at-fault party did not drive safely. Your options are to file a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company, sue in court, or both.
- Time Restrictions on E-Bicycle Crashes: Another similarity between e-bike collisions and traffic accidents is your deadline to file a lawsuit in court. Maryland has a statute of limitations that requires you to sue within three years after the date of the crash. Failure to do so will result in your case being dismissed, and you will not recover damages.
- How Damages Work for E-Bike Accidents: The point of compensation in a personal injury case is to make the victim whole after suffering physical, financial, and emotional losses. The injuries you sustain in an e-bike collision have many consequences, and they fall into two categories:
- Economic damages are the fees and out-of-pocket expenses you incur because of your injuries. They include medical bills, lost wages, and costs for pain medications.
- Noneconomic damages are the losses that you endure that affect your quality of life. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring and disfigurement are examples.
- Contributory Negligence in Maryland: A harsh rule may affect your case if your actions were a factor in causing the e-bicycle collision. Contributory negligence prohibits you from recovering compensation when your own conduct was careless. Violation of traffic laws is an example, since e-bike users are required to follow these rules.
Talk to a Baltimore County, MD E-Bike Accident Lawyer for Details
It is helpful to know some of the key facts about collisions involving electric-powered vehicles, but you can see that the legal issues are complex. To ensure your rights are protected, representation is crucial. Attorney Michael A. Freedman will assist with your claim, so please call 410.363.6848 or go online to set up a free case review. We can meet with you at our offices in Owings Mills or Glen Burnie, MD.
