Two men were involved in a serious e-bike crash recently in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn. The riders – a 20 year old and a 35 year old – were riding together on an e-bike, traveling north on 86th street around 4 a.m. They crashed into an empty delivery truck, which was parked just outside of Spumoni Gardens restaurant.
Both men were thrown off of the e-bike. The younger man was found with substantial head trauma, and emergency services pronounced him dead on the scene. Paramedics took the older man to NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn, where he was reportedly in stable condition.
E-bike accidents on the rise
E-bikes have spiked in popularity in recent years. This trend has been coupled with a parallel rise in related accidents and injuries – up 70% in the past four years. Because e-bikes are able to travel considerably faster than regular bikes, the injuries resulting from such accidents tend to be much more severe.
According to a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, e-bike riders are nearly twice as likely to wear a helmet, compared to regular bike riders. Notwithstanding, individuals involved in e-bike accidents are more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries. The rate of pelvic and chest injuries in e-bike accidents is also significantly higher.
Recourse in the event of an accident
E-bikes, e-scooters and other so-called micro-mobility products are becoming increasingly commonplace across the city. However, many drivers still fail to notice them. Accidents involving such vehicles are often severe or even deadly.
In the event of such an accident caused by a negligent driver, the cyclist or their family may have recourse to recoup compensation for damages – including medical bills, loss of income and loss of quality of life. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer can be a valuable first step.