If you or someone you love has been injured in an e-bike accident in Thousand Oaks, the experienced Personal Injury Lawyers at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys can help. Regardless of whether you’ve suffered major or minor injuries, bike accident victims are entitled to compensation for the trauma they’ve been forced to endure.
Call Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys today and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
How a Thousand Oaks E-Bike Injury Lawyer Can Help
Thousand Oaks has plenty to offer e-bike riders. Whether you’re looking to cruise on the Simi Valley Loop or adventure on the Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail, Thousand Oaks has plenty to offer e-bike riders. However, with so many e-bike options across the city, there is always an increased risk of injury with other motorists who are not weary of e-bikers on the road.
If a careless driver causes you to suffer injuries on your e-bike, you’ll typically be able to recover compensation through the insurance company. Unfortunately, injured victims are often neglected by insurance companies, only receiving the lowest amount possible for the damage done to their lives. On top of that, drivers frequently blame e-bike riders for causing accidents on the road, further complicating their path toward fair compensation.
That’s where the Thousand Oaks Quirk E-bike Accident Lawyers come in. Our firm protects e-bicyclists from liability and maximizes their compensation for the following damages:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Reckless behavior (DUI, street racing)
- Actions performed out of spite
Thousand Oaks E-Bike Law
SB No. 1271 was signed into law in 2024 and is now in effect as of January 1st, 2025. This bill covers several new e-bike regulations to address the e-bike situation in California. The law states that an electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electrical motor of less than 750 watts. Also, the new law separates e-bikes into the following three classes:
- Class 1: a low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor, which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached
- Class 2: a low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor used exclusively to propel the bicycle and NOT capable of providing assistance once a speed of 20 mph is reached
- Class 3: a low-speed pedal-assisted electrical bicycle equipped with a speedometer and a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 28 mph is reached
Ventura County Ordinance allows Class 1 & 2 e-bikes to ride on bike paths, including shared-use trails. However, Class 3 e-bikes are NOT permitted on shared-use trails, such as Rincon Multi-Use Trails.
Can I Get a DUI on an E-Bike in Thousand Oaks?
In the state of California, bicycling under the influence is a crime according to California Vehicle Code 21200.5. In order for a bicyclist to be convicted of a DUI while cycling, they would have to be displaying signs of intoxication while riding on a public highway. Bicycle DUIs have much lighter penalties than standard DUIs, usually resulting in a fine. However, this statute does not specifically address DUIs on e-bikes.
Since the law only applies to bikes “propelled exclusively by human power,” e-bike riders would be charged and penalized as if they were driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
How Comparative Negligence Law Applies to Thousand Oaks E-Bike Accidents
Comparative negligence is when more than one party is partially at fault for causing an injury and is covered under California Civil Code 1714. This law essentially states:
- You can recover damages in cases even if you are partially at fault
- If you and the defendant are found negligent, the jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party
- The total compensation awarded to you is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you are 99% at fault, you can still receive 1% of the total case value
In the case of an e-bike accident, ultimately, fault will be determined by the details of the case and the judgment of a judge and jury if the matter goes to trial.
Let’s say, for example, an e-bicyclist is looking down at their phone and slows down drastically with a vehicle behind them. The driver fails to stop in time and collides with the e-biker. The rider is thrown from their e-bike, causing them to suffer several injuries, such as a broken elbow, fractured skull, and bruised ribs. Who is at fault?
In a hypothetical situation like this, comparative negligence could come into play. A jury may find the driver 80% at fault for not stopping in time, while finding the bicyclist 20% at fault for checking their phone while riding on the road. So, if the jury awards the bicyclist $1,00,000, then their reward will be reduced by 20% of the fault, netting them $800k.
Average Settlement for Thousand Oak E-Bike Accident Injuries
The severity of your e-bike accident injuries will account for a majority of your overall compensation if you reach a successful settlement. While there are other determining factors, the following personal injury classifications can give you a rough estimate of what your case is worth.
- Minor injuries: Approximately $1,500 – $15,000 – minor injuries are considered sprains, strains, and minor cuts and bruises.
- Moderate injuries: Approximately: $15,000 – $100,000 – moderate injuries are considered fractures, herniated discs, and torn ligaments.
- Severe injuries: Approximately $100,000 – $1,000,000+ – paralysis and death can quickly exceed settlement amounts of around $1,000,000 or more.
How Quirk Can Help You Win a Fair Settlement
At Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, our firm ensures a fair settlement for your e-bike injury case through:
- Accurate damage calculation: we calculate damages based on expert testimony, medical evaluations, and economic analyses to cover every aspect of your current and long-term, medical needs.
- Clear reports and expert witness testimony: our firm compiles detailed reports that outline the extent of your injuries and the impact they will have on the rest of your life. We organize expert witness testimony to reinforce the credibility of your claim and the incident.
- Minimizing liability: if you file a claim or lawsuit against an at-fault party, they will most likely attempt to put some or all of the blame onto you. Our firm will analyze your case and work to minimize or eliminate liability in your personal injury accident.
- Negotiating with insurers: our experienced team of lawyers are expert negotiators and understand the tactics insurance companies will take to attempt to minimize your damages and compensation. We ensure our clients receive a fair settlement that fully covers their current and future needs.
- Court Representation: our trial lawyers will represent you in court and build a strong case, highlighting the depth of your injuries and the necessity for recovering damages.
Contact a Thousand Oaks E-Bike Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-bike accident in Thousand Oaks, the E-Bike Accident Lawyers at Quirk are here to help you get your life back on track. We understand how traumatic an e-bike accident can be, especially when you have to fight with the insurance company to get what you’re owed. But you’re not alone in this fight.
We’ll take the necessary legal steps to restore your life and protect your right to compensation. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, our firm specializes in reducing liability or in some cases, removing it entirely
If you’re concerned about the financial, physical, and mental impact a bicycle accident has had on your life, contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys today to understand your legal options. We offer all injured victims a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no hidden fees for our services, and you will only be charged once we win your case.