E-bikes and electric scooters offer a real sense of freedom and fun, but they are also closely associated with very dangerous accidents. The bottom line is that e-bike and electric scooter accidents are on the rise, and the results can be life-altering. If another party’s negligence leaves you injured in an e-bike or electric scooter crash, our experienced Buffalo e-bike and electric scooter accident attorneys at Campbell & Associates are here to help.
Those Who Ride E-Bikes and Electric Scooters Must Follow State Laws
If you ride an e-bike or electric scooter in Buffalo, you’re generally required to follow the same rules of the road that apply to bicyclists. That includes riding in the same direction as traffic, staying near the right side of the road, and using bike lanes when they’re available. Following these rules matters for your safety and for your claim, since an insurer may argue that a rule violation contributed to the crash.
Basic Requirements for E-Bikes and Electric Scooters
New York sets several baseline rules for these devices:
- Age: Riders must be at least 16 years old.
- Speed: E-scooters may not go faster than 20 mph. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are limited to 20 mph. Faster Class 3 e-bikes are only allowed in cities with populations of one million or more, so they aren’t permitted in Buffalo.
- Roads: E-scooters may not be ridden on roads with posted speed limits above 30 mph unless a local law allows it.
- Sidewalks: E-bikes and e-scooters may not be ridden on sidewalks unless a local law allows it.
Helmet Laws
New York requires helmets for all bicyclists under age 14. Stricter rules apply to some electric devices. E-scooter riders who are 16 or 17 must wear a helmet, and Class 3 e-bike riders must wear a helmet at any age. Erie County also requires all cyclists to wear helmets in county parks. Not wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you can’t recover compensation, but an insurer may raise it to argue your injuries would have been less severe.
Identifying the At-Fault Party
Often, motorists are responsible for accidents involving e-bikes and electric scooters, but this isn’t always the case.
Negligent Motorists
Primary concerns when it comes to negligent motorists include the following:
- Failure to yield the right-of-way as required by law
- Failure to pay adequate attention to and safely accommodate those traveling on e-bikes and electric scooters
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Failure to allow those on e-bikes and electric scooters adequate space on the road
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Failure to abide by the rules of the road
The E-Bike or Electric Scooter Company
When you rent an e-bike or electric scooter in Buffalo, you expect it to get you safely from point A to point B. You should know, however, that these devices are rented out on a regular basis, are frequently mistreated, and are thrown back out on the street with very little concern for safety. And sometimes, they are faulty to begin with. Inferior brakes, problematic batteries, and steering concerns increase the risk that accidents will happen.
Buffalo’s Poorly Maintained Roads
Potholes, broken pavement, and other road defects put e-bike and scooter riders at serious risk. If a poorly maintained city road caused your crash, you may be able to hold the city responsible, but these claims have strict requirements. Buffalo generally must have received prior written notice of the defect before the accident. You must also file a notice of claim within 90 days of the crash, and the lawsuit itself must be filed within one year and 90 days. Missing these deadlines can bar your claim entirely, so talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Our Experienced Buffalo E-Bike and Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers Are on Your Side
Our Buffalo e-bike and electric scooter accident attorneys at Campbell & Associates have experience helping our valued clients obtain favorable claim outcomes, and we’re in your corner. Learn more by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 716-992-2222 today.
