Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
Electric bicycles have become one of the fastest-growing forms of transportation and recreation in America. In Chicago they have become ubiquitous on our streets.They are fun, convenient, and can travel much faster than traditional bicycles. Unfortunately, their growing popularity has also brought a troubling consequence: a dramatic increase in catastrophic injuries among children and teenagers. The bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. know first hand how devastating these injuries can be.
Recent reports show that e-bike sales in the United States have more than quadrupled over the past five years, and emergency rooms across the country are seeing a corresponding surge in injuries—particularly among young riders. Doctors are reporting an alarming increase in traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, skull fractures, facial fractures, and other life-changing trauma. The combination of greater speed, heavier bikes, and inexperienced riders has created a serious public safety concern. (Axios)
Why Are E-Bikes So Dangerous?
Unlike a traditional bicycle, many e-bikes can reach speeds of 20 to 28 miles per hour with little physical effort. They also weigh substantially more than conventional bicycles, making them harder to control and much more difficult to stop quickly.
Many young riders simply are not prepared for the speed or handling characteristics of these machines. A split-second mistake can result in a violent collision with a motor vehicle, another cyclist, a pedestrian, or a fixed object.
The injuries are often far more severe than those seen in ordinary bicycle crashes because of the increased speed and force involved.
Brain and Spine Injuries Can Change a Child’s Life Forever
Among the most serious injuries seen in e-bike crashes are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Facial fractures
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones requiring surgery
A traumatic brain injury can affect a child’s memory, concentration, personality, speech, and ability to learn. Spinal injuries may require multiple surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, and lifelong medical care.
These injuries often affect not only the child but the entire family.
The Helmet Problem
Perhaps the most preventable aspect of these tragedies is the lack of helmet use.
Doctors consistently report that many children injured in e-bike crashes were not wearing helmets. Safety experts recommend wearing a properly fitted helmet every time an e-bike is ridden because helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries. Yet many teenagers choose not to wear one, either because they think it isn’t necessary or because their friends are not wearing one either. (Axios)
Parents should insist on helmet use every single ride. A helmet cannot prevent every injury, but it can mean the difference between walking away from a crash and suffering a life-altering brain injury.
Chicago’s Busy Streets Increase the Risk
Chicago presents unique dangers for e-bike riders.
Children and teenagers often ride near:
- Busy intersections
- Parked cars that can suddenly open doors
- Buses and commercial trucks
- Distracted drivers
- Rideshare vehicles
- Congested neighborhood streets
Motorists frequently fail to see cyclists before turning or changing lanes. At the same time, younger riders may overestimate their ability to maneuver through traffic at e-bike speeds.
The result can be devastating.
Why Having an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Matters
When a child suffers a serious e-bike injury because of another person’s negligence, the financial consequences can be overwhelming.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can immediately begin investigating the crash. The bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. will immediately :
- Obtain surveillance and traffic camera footage before it disappears.
- Identifying eyewitnesses.
- Preserve physical evidence.
Insurance companies often try to minimize claims involving children or argue that the rider caused the crash. An attorney can gather the evidence necessary to establish liability and pursue compensation for medical expenses, future treatment, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, disability, lost future earning capacity, and other damages allowed under Illinois law.
Serious brain and spinal injuries can require care for decades. A settlement that fails to account for future surgeries, therapy, educational accommodations, and lifelong medical needs can leave families struggling long after the case is over.
Protect Your Family
E-bikes are likely here to stay, but they demand the same respect as a motor vehicle. Parents should make sure children wear helmets, understand traffic laws, avoid distractions such as phones or headphones while riding, and recognize that these machines are capable of speeds that can cause catastrophic injuries. (Axios)
If your child has been seriously injured in an e-bike crash caused by a negligent driver, defective roadway condition, or another party’s negligence, speaking with an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible can help protect your family’s rights and preserve evidence.