Spend just a few minutes in downtown Minneapolis or in one of the larger suburban areas of the Twin Cities, and odds are you’ll see someone zipping around on an electric bicycle or scooter. These electrical transport options allow people to get from one place to another more quickly and can take the effort of pedaling uphill out of the equation, but it should come as no surprise that as more people turn to these devices as a mode of transportation, more people are being admitted to the emergency room with injuries.
Losing your balance while you’re on one of these devices and suffering injuries is one thing, but what if you are an innocent bystander who is struck by someone traveling way too fast for conditions? We’ve helped pedestrians get compensation when they are struck by an e-bike rider, and we can do the same for you. Learn about your compensation options for e-bike collisions in Minnesota in today’s blog.
Pedestrian Struck By E-Bike Or E-Scooter Injury Compensation
E-bike and e-scooters can reach much higher speeds than the man-powered version of these transportation options, which is part of the reason for their appeal. However, many riders feel uncomfortable taking them on bicycle lanes or on city roads and instead choose to ride on walkways and sidewalks. One unsuspecting move by a pedestrian or a dog that pulls its owner towards the curb can lead to a high speed collision. There have been plenty of documented cases of major injuries and even deaths from pedestrians who have been struck by an e-bike rider, and you need to know that you have compensation options.
Winning an e-bike injury lawsuit isn’t always easy, but the process can become easier if you take a few specific steps after you or your loved one are injured. Here’s what we recommend you do if you are struck by an e-bike or e-scooter rider in Minnesota and are injured:
Document The Scene – If the rider attempts to flee after the collision, try to take pictures of them or their device, as it may help authorities track them down later. If they stay at the scene, it’s still helpful to take pictures of the device, the location of the accident and any injuries that you’ve suffered.
Seek Medical Attention – Depending on your injuries, this may need to be the first step. Call an ambulance or make your way to an emergency medical facility to have your injuries documented and treated. Without professionally documented injuries, you’re not going to be able to win an injury claim, so it’s in your best interest to have your injuries assessed within 24-48 hours after the accident.
Contact Police – A police report can also give credence to the legitimacy of your claims. Even if there was no ill-intent by the rider, they still likely were in the wrong and put the public in danger, and the police will want to help sort out the situation. The creation of a police report – even if formal charges are not filed against the rider – can establish negligence that is helpful when pursuing an injury award.
Seek Witnesses And Video Evidence – Try to get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the collision and can verify your version of events. Depending on the location of your accident, it’s also possible that a local business caught the incident on video. Visit these businesses and see if you could have access to the recordings from the time of the incident.
Contact An Attorney – Perhaps the single best thing you can do if you are involved in a collision with an e-bike rider as a pedestrian is to contact a personal injury law firm like the team at Hey Workers. You likely have limited knowledge of the benefits you’re entitled to receive and how to build a strong case, but these are aspects that we handle every single day. Don’t leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table simply because you are unfamiliar with the system or because the insurance company’s legal team picks apart your claim. You need a professional in your corner who can help you get the compensation you deserve following a devastating e-bike collision. Let us be a resource in your time of need.
E-bike pedestrian collisions can lead to fractures, traumatic brain injuries and even fatalities, and you deserve to be compensated fully if you are struck by one of these high-speed vehicles while you are out in public. If you’ve been injured by an electronic bike or scooter, connect with the team of injury lawyers at Hey Workers. Give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675.
