E-Bike Accidents in Encinitas: What You Should Know

Is e-biking in Encinitas and throughout San Diego County actually a safe activity, or are cyclists at risk of serious injury when using pedal-assisted electric bikes? A recent deadly e-bike accident in California highlights the serious risks associated with e-bikes and the need to consider safety issues, as well as liability, in the aftermath of a crash. Our experienced Encinitas personal injury attorneys can evaluate your bike accident case today and help you to determine your eligibility for filing a claim for financial compensation.

Details of the Recent E-Bike Accident in California

For many California residents and visitors to the state, riding an e-bike can be a good way to enjoy the outdoors and to get some exercise, yet e-bikes are also extremely dangerous. According to a recent article in People Magazine, a mother recently sustained deadly injuries in an e-bike accident, and her two sons were injured. The accident occurred in San Juan Capistrano on the San Juan Creek Trail on a recent Saturday evening.

The article explains that the mother, Jennifer Macy, 36, had been riding an e-bike on the San Juan Creek Trail with her two sons strapped into bike seats. The two sons are aged 3 and 4. Reports indicate that Macy “hit the curb and all three were thrown onto rocks on the side of the trail.” One of the children sustained “major trauma,” while the other sustained more minor injuries. Both of Macy’s sons are expected to survive the accident, but Macy’s injuries were fatal. Both of Macy’s sons were wearing bicycle helmets at the time of the collision, but Macy was not wearing a helmet.

Understanding E-Bike Risks and Injuries

In the aftermath of the San Juan Capistrano fatal accident, there are renewed questions coming up about the safety of e-bikes and the likelihood of a serious or deadly injury. Dr. Tetsuya Takeuchi, who serves as trauma medical director at Mission Hospital, indicated that “electric bike accidents often yield injuries that are more similar to motorcycle crashes than typical bike accidents” since they occur at “higher speeds” than collisions involving regular bicycles. Common injuries in e-bike accidents can include but are not limited to the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Broken bones;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Internal bleeding and organ damage; and
• Other catastrophic injuries.

Should anyone really be riding e-bikes, especially with children in tow? E-bikes do have health benefits, but they also have injury risks. According to an article in The New York Times, e-bike popularity has grown rapidly, and both “interest in and sales of pedal-assisted electric bikes surg[ed] during the pandemic.” Yet recent studies of e-bikes suggest that it is critical for riders to consider the accompanying injury risks. Indeed, a study published in Injury Prevention indicated that, although all kinds of bicycle accidents can result in serious and debilitating injuries, “e-bike injuries were the most severe and likely to require hospitalization.”

Contact an Encinitas Personal Injury Attorney

Do you have questions about filing an e-bike accident? Multiple parties could be liable, including an owner of the premises where the accident occurred or a designer or manufacturer of an e-bike. Our Encinitas personal injury attorneys can assist you. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more.

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