A growing number of lawsuits have been filed in Texas by people who were seriously injured in e-bike accidents.
Need a Texas E-Bike Accident Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured in an e-bike accident or battery fire, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
E-Bikes Are Skyrocketing in Popularity in Texas
An electric bike, or e-bike, is a bicycle that has a battery-powered electric motor that assists you when you’re pedaling. The motor gets its power from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike frame.
The popularity of e-bikes has skyrocketed in cities across the U.S., and Texas is no exception. They are a cheap and quick way to get around urban areas and college campuses.
Today, it is common to see people zipping through traffic on an e-bike, delivery workers using e-bikes to bring people food, and young people using bike-sharing apps to get from point A to B.
What is the Problem?
The problem is that when accidents occur between e-bikes and vehicles, the results are often catastrophic or deadly for the e-bike rider (especially if they are not wearing a helmet).
Why Do Accidents Occur?
Other drivers may not be used to seeing e-bikes on the road, or they may fail to look for an e-bike rider zooming up alongside of their vehicle before changing lanes. Some people who use e-bikes are not capable of riding them safely, or they make poor decisions, like riding an e-bike while drunk or under the influence of drugs.
E-Bike Accidents: Who Is Responsible?
Tragically, many of these e-bike accidents involve young people who are left with lifelong injuries. In some cases, the e-bike rider was injured by a reckless driver who failed to share the road.
In other cases, the e-bike rider was responsible for the accident — for example, after becoming intoxicated and swerving into traffic, or trying to avoid a pothole.
There are also cases when the e-bike manufacturer is responsible for the accident — such as when the bike itself is defective, unsafe, or the battery is prone to fires and explosions.
Gyroor E-Bikes Recalled
In December 2022, about 3,300 Gyroor C3 e-bikes were recalled because the battery pack can catch on fire. There were 2 reports of people who needed medical attention for smoke inhalation and a burn on their foot. The recalled e-bikes were sold from November 2020 through September 2022.
Ancheer E-Bikes Recalled After Battery Explosions & Fires
In October 2022, a recall was issued for about 22,000 Ancheer E-Bikes after reports of the lithium-ion batteries overheating, catching on fire, exploding, or sparking. At least 4 people were burned.
According to the recall: “The lithium-ion batteries can ignite, explode or spark, posing fire, explosion and burn hazards to consumers.”
The recall involves Ancheer E-Bikes with model number AM001907, which can be found on the package and instruction manual but not the bike itself. The recalled bikes have a cylindrical battery that looks like a water bottle. They were sold between January 2016 and June 2022.
E-Bike Battery Fires and Explosions
E-bikes get their speed from lightweight lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are rechargeable and they pack a lot of power into a small size, which makes them ideal for e-bikes. The tradeoff is the possible risk of e-bike battery fires, explosions, overheating, and burn injuries.
Why Do E-Bike Batteries Catch on Fire?
There are many reasons why an e-bike battery might overheat or catch on fire, but here are a few:
- Design defects
- Poor manufacturing
- Short-circuit in the electrical system
- Incompatible charger
- Over-charging
- Physical damage to the battery or case
- E-bike accidents
- And more
E-Bike Accident Lawsuits
Lawsuits have been filed by a growing number of people who were injured in e-bike accidents and battery fires. In some cases, these lawsuits accuse e-bike manufacturers of selling a defective product.
Other types of e-bike accident lawsuits are more similar to car accident lawsuits and other types of personal injury cases, where the defendants could be whoever caused the accident — for example, other drivers on the road, or people riding e-bikes recklessly in traffic.
In either case, lawsuits involving e-bike injuries will typically seek justice and compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income or ability to work, permanent injuries, or even the wrongful death of a loved one.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Like all types of personal injury cases, there is a time-limit to file a lawsuit. This is called a “statute of limitations” and it varies depending on the state where the accident occurred (and possibly other factors, such as when a recall was issued for a defective or unsafe e-bike).
Either way, it is essential to speak with an attorney after an e-bike accident if you believe you have a case against whoever caused your injuries. Our lawyers can investigate and help you seek justice.
Need a E-Bike Accident Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.