Electric Bike Accident Lawyer
The Electric Bike Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase have been representing clients that have been seriously injured because of a defective product since 1978.
With Bisnar Chase's 96% success rate our clients have received over $500 million in compensation. Electric bicyclists have continued to experience severe harm and are strongly recommended to hire an electric bike accident attorney to be compensated for damages.
Bisnar Chase's legal representatives are passionate about winning your case. Contact us today and get a free consultation with one of our highly-rated injury lawyers. The law firm of Bisnar Chase has the resources you need to get your life back on track after a bike accident.
Call 949-203-3814 to obtain the legal representation you rightfully deserve.
What Is an E-Bike?
The electric bike has caught the attention of millions of commuters across the globe. Consumers gravitated so much towards the new mode of transportation that over 34 million e-bikes from companies such as "Pedego Electric Bikes" were sold in 2017. The trendy bicycle has gained a following so dedicated that people are willing to purchase the bikes at a whopping $1,000-$5,000.
What is an electric bike, though?
An electric bicycle, unlike a regular bike that relies solely on gasoline to function, are equipped with lithium batteries.
Instead of having to stop for rest, riders can set their feet on the peddles while the bike continues to operate and move forward. Federal and state regulations have set the e-bike to go as high as 20 mph and the bike can go as far as 60 miles.
Although the electric bike has gained notoriety for being the new “it” gadget, people are putting themselves at risk when riding them.
Electric Bike Laws in California
Although the Federal Electric Bicycle Law HR 727 specifies the general law for electric bike riders, the state of California has set a particular collection of standards for e-bike motorist to follow. Governor Jerry Brown implemented a class system for each type of e-bike. The types of bikes that have been categorized are bikes that operate at speeds of 20 mph and bikes that function up to speeds of 28 mph.
This class system allows e-bikes that run at a lower speed into the bicycle lane.
California E-Bike laws also require you to follow the basic bicycle laws such as:
- Do not ride on the freeway with your bicycle
- Bike riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet (although it is strongly suggested that at any age you should wear a helmet)
- Being under the influence of alcohol and drugs while riding a bicycle is illegal
Do you need a license to ride an electric bicycle?
Electric bicyclists do not need a license to operate an e-bike. A rider does, however, need to be 12 years of age or older to commute on an electric motorized bike.
In March of 2017, husband and wife Steve and Lisa Vondron witnessed both of their newly purchased e-bikes go up in flames. The most surprising part is that the couple was not even operating the bikes at the time of the fire.
“We couldn't believe it. It sounded like fireworks going off” Lisa Vondron told the Orange County Register after the electric bikes caught on fire.
The Arizona natives were later compensated with new bikes from the “Electric Bike Company” in Newport Beach, but this still raises the question of “Are electric bikes safe to ride? The real question people should be asking though is “Are lithium-Ion batteries safe?”
Lithium-Ion Batteries Causing Hoverboards to Explode
Lithium-ion batteries explosions have gained much attention over the years. One the most well-known cases of lithium-ion batteries combusting is that of the hoverboard.
Around Christmas time of 2016, millions of parents flocked to stores such as Walmart, Target and tech shops like Best Buy for the hot new item. Little did they know that this product that was intended for children and young adults would be anything but child's play.
Over 500,000 balancing scooters were recalled and quickly taken off the department store shelves.
The CPSC declared that"There have been at least 99 incident reports of the battery packs in self-balancing scooters/hoverboards overheating, sparking, smoking, catching fire and/or exploding."
What Sets Off Lithium-Ion Batteries?
Lithium-Ion batteries are in most of our everyday gadgets like laptops, cameras and even iPhones. The main reason manufacturers prioritize having lithium batteries is because they are rechargeable. It is because of these batteries that we can have portable devices.
Instead of having to hook our iPhone to a power source all the time when we are using it, the lithium-ion battery gives us the option to use our devices power source free. Lithium batteries are reliable and safe…if they are made properly.
Lithium batteries are mass produced and because of this reason, they are more susceptible to errors.There have been countless numbers of property damage, injuries and fatal cases because of battery defects. So why and how do lithium ion batteries explode?
The simple explanation of why the batteries combust is due to overheating. The lithium-ion battery is ideal because of it's ability to be small, easy to carry and is packed with a large amount of energy. If there is a glitch in the design of the lithium-ion battery, then it can explode.
There are three key elements that help the battery function:
- Metal oxide
- Graphite
- Lithium salts
These components must be separated by a piece of thin plastic, so they do not collide.
Over time though, separators have become very thin and at times cannot keep the elements apart. If the plastic separator is disrupted, then a short circuit is caused that eventually leads to a battery being able to reach a temperature of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Are Manufactures Fixing the Problem?
When hoverboards were taken off the shelves, manufactures ran quickly to fix the problem. The consumer product safety commission required that all balancing boards be UL certified before they went back on the market. UL certification states that the product has been tested in a laboratory setting and is now legitimately recognized as a safe product.
As the popularity of the hoverboards begins to die off though, new trendy modes of transportation such as the electric bike are now the poster board gadgets that contain lithium-ion batteries. UL also requires that electric bikes contain UL certification.
Experts are also looking for other safer alternatives for lithium-ion batteries.
Engineers at Stanford University have created a "smart" lithium ion battery that does not only have the manpower of the lithium-ion battery, but that also contains a sensor that gives off a major warning when your electric powered gadget is overheating.
Associate professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford University Yi Cui says that the main objective of creating a newer version of the lithium-ion battery is to protect consumers and make products safer.
“Our goal is to create an early-warning system that saves lives and property”, shares Cui.
E-Bike and Car Collisions
As the electric bike industry grows so does the probability of an accident between a vehicle driver and an e-bike rider. NHSTA has reported that older riders are most at risk for experiencing a bike accident. Research has shown that a majority of older riders do not have the balance it takes to operate a bicycle.
Bicycles are intended to be used by older adults for physical activity. Riding a bicycle can allow a senior to maintain a healthy lifestyle along with not putting much stress and strain and joints.
How do we prevent seniors from experiencing bike crashes?
Experts say that the way to combat collisions between bikes and cars is to add more bicycle lanes.
Injured E-Bike Victims Deserve to Be Compensated
If you or a loved one has suffered from severe injuries from an electric bike incident the Electric Bike Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase are here to help. We prioritze our clients and believe that victims of product defects should be awarded compensation for their losses.
Negligent manufacturers should face the legal consequences for their carelessness and shortcomings. The electric bike accident attorneys of Bisnar Chase make themselves available for any question and concern you have. Contact us Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-5 pm at 949-203-3814 for a free case analysis.
Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys 1301 Dove St. #120 Newport Beach, CA 92660
