Louisville Electric Bike Accident Lawyer

E-Scooter Injury Claims Can Be Complicated. Our Kentucky Law Firm Can Help

Motorized assist vehicles like electric bikes and e-scooters have become a common sight in Louisville and many other cities. Lime, Bird and Bolt are just some of the companies that rent electric-powered scooters in Louisville.

And while these vehicles can be a convenient, fun and inexpensive way to get around, accidents involving them sometimes happen – and they often cause serious, life-altering injuries. This is especially true if another driver caused your e-scooter or electric bike accident.

This is why it’s critical that injury victims fully understand their legal rights. That’s why a Louisville electric bike attorney at The Whaley Law Firm wants to meet with you. We know the latest laws that apply to such accidents. We understand how the legal system works in Kentucky. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success.

Common Injuries In E-Bike And E-Scooter Accidents

Because e-bike and e-scooter riders have little protection, they can be seriously hurt in crashes with larger vehicles, even at low speeds. Some of the most serious injuries include:

Head injuries, including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Arm injuries and hand injuries, especially on electric scooters when riders fall off and try to brace their fall with their hands.
Bone fractures, including broken bones in the hands, arms, legs and other parts of the body.
Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage.

Don’t simply assume you have a minor injury. Take your accident seriously right from the start. Seek immediate medical attention at UofL Hospital Emergency Room or another nearby medical facility. Then talk to an experienced Louisville electric scooter accident attorney right away to learn more about the legal options available to you.

What Causes E-Bike And E-Scooter Accidents?

Collisions involving e-scooters or e-bikes and cars or other larger vehicles often happen because the driver of the larger vehicle was doing something they should not have been doing on the road. Specific causes of collisions include:

Aggressive drivers who don’t give enough people on e-scooters or electric bikes enough room on the road.
Drivers at intersections who turn without looking, resulting in a serious accident.
Speeding drivers who don’t have enough time or space to avoid crashing into someone.
Drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs who veer into a bike lane and strike someone on an electric scooter or bicycle.

Electric scooter accidents and crashes involving e-bikes happen many other ways. Whatever the circumstances of your crash, make sure you call the Louisville Police Department right away. Then talk to an attorney at our Louisville law firm. We can help.

Kentucky Electric Bike And E-Scooter Laws

Laws governing electric scooters in Kentucky were created in 2019. Electric scooter riders must abide by Kentucky Revised Statute 189.289, which says:

Electric scooter operator must be at least 16 years old.
All e-scooters must have a headlight and one rear red light.
Parked electric scooters must not block access on sidewalks.
No helmet is required.
Riding on sidewalks is prohibited.

As for electric bikes, the rules and regulations that apply in Louisville are similar to a combination of laws that apply to bicycles and mopeds in Kentucky, including Kentucky Revised Statute 71.29. These laws include:

Maximum speed limit of 15 to 25 mph depending on the type of street.
Riding an electric bike on a sidewalk is prohibited.
Riders under 21 years old must wear a helmet. No helmets are required for riders 21 or older.
There’s no minimum age to ride an e-bike, but riders under 16 years old must obtain an instruction permit.

Because e-bikes and e-scooters are relatively new, these laws may change. Make sure you know the latest rules and regulations before operating such a vehicle. And check with an attorney right away if you’re injured in an e-bike crash to know more about your rights.

Who’s Responsible For Paying For My Accident?

Kentucky allows drivers to choose between no-fault and at-fault insurance. No fault insurance means the injured party files an injury claim with their own insurance company, regardless of who’s at fault. At-fault insurance means the injured party can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

In cases involving electric scooter or electric bicycle accidents, who’s responsible for paying for your injury-related expenses can be much more complicated. What sometimes makes a difference is the size of the electric motor in your scooter or bicycle. If the electric motor is a 49 cc motor or less, you’re considered a pedestrian in the eyes of the law. That generally means you can file a no-fault claim with the insurance company that covers the vehicle that hit you, regardless of fault.

And even if your electric scooter or E-bike has a larger motor, you may still be able to file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, depending on the circumstances. When in doubt, simply talk to an experienced attorney. They can help you better understand your options.

How Much Is My Electric Scooter Claim Worth?

The bottom line: you should be financially compensated for all your injury-related expenses. What you might not realize is just how many expenses are covered when seeking compensation. Such expenses often include:

Total cost of all medical care, including future anticipated medical treatments for your electric bike accident injuries.
Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your accident.
Lost future income if you are unable to work in the future due to a permanent disability.
Pain and suffering and other so-called “non-economic damages,” a legal term for financial compensation for losses that are subjectively determined.

Add all these expenses up and your electric scooter or e-bike accident can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. Remember, you didn’t do anything wrong. If someone else caused your accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated.

How Can An Electric Bike Accident Lawyer Help?

When you have an experienced Louisville attorney on your side handling your electric bicycle accident, you can make sure your injury claim gets the attention it rightfully deserves. Instead of insurance companies telling you what to do, your lawyer can negotiate directly with them and work to get you the largest possible settlement claim for your accident.

Our dedicated, Louisville electric bike accident lawyers at The Whaley Law Firm can help you every step of the way. We also understand the urgency of injury claim investigations. The evidence you need to build a strong legal case often needs to be found right away. That’s why we won’t waste any time getting right to work on your case.

Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation right now. We’re conveniently located in Louisville and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we obtain a financial settlement or verdict for you. Call now. We can help.