E-Bike Accident Claims
If you have been involved in an e-bike accident, you may have experienced serious harm, ranging from minor head injuries and fractures to more severe injuries that require hospital treatment. When this happens, you may be entitled to make an e-bike accident claim.
As electric bicycles become increasingly popular for commuting and leisure, the risk of accidents involving e-bikes also increases. Our solicitors have extensive experience helping injured e-bike riders and understand the unique risks that come with riding e-bikes, such as higher speeds, longer distances, and the use of electric motors. We will work to secure the compensation you need following an e-bike injury, and make sure you have access to the right support.
JMW has a dedicated team with experience supporting injured e-bike riders, and we will help you make a claim for compensation. To speak to one of our specialist cycling solicitors about your situation, call us today on 0345 872 6666, or complete online enquiry form
On This Page
- What Our Clients Say
- How JMW Can Help
- Meet Our Team
- What Are the Common Causes of E-Bike Accidents?
- When Am I Entitled to Make an E-Bike Accident Claim?
- What Kind of Injuries Can Be Caused by E-Bike Accidents?
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim for an E-Bike Accident?
- What Are the Time Limits for Making an E-Bike Accident Claim?
- FAQs About E-Bike Accidents
What Our Clients Say
How JMW Can Help
At JMW, we provide comprehensive legal support for anyone who has been injured in an e-bike accident. From the moment you contact us, we can advise on your entitlement to claim compensation, arrange immediate medical assessments, and put in place the right rehabilitation package to support your recovery. Our solicitors will guide you through every stage of the claims process, from gathering evidence and witness statements to negotiating with insurers.
We have a strong national reputation in personal injury law and a proven track record of securing compensation for those injured on the road. Our cycling accidents team is led by Andrew Littlemore, a highly experienced solicitor who has handled many cycling-related claims. With our expertise, you can be confident that your case will be handled with professionalism and care.
What sets us apart is the wealth of first-hand experience and passion for cycling among our team. This means we recognise the true value of e-bikes, and will make sure the cost of repairs or replacement is fully considered. We are also able to approach each case from the rider's perspective, taking into account all of the risks that e-bike users face on the roads.
By choosing JMW, you benefit from a legal team that understands both the law and the reality of riding e-bikes, and that works tirelessly to secure the outcome you need.
Learn more about our cycling team's specialist expertise by visiting our cycling accidents page.
Meet Our Team
What Are the Common Causes of E-Bike Accidents?
E-bike accidents can happen in many different situations. As more people use electric bikes on roads, cycle lanes, and in busy cities, the risks of collisions and crashes have increased. Common causes include:
- Collisions with vehicles: Cars, vans and lorries often fail to give e-bike riders enough space or misjudge their speed, leading to accidents.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, uneven surfaces and inadequate urban design can cause a rider to lose control and fall.
- Defective bikes or components: Faults with the electric motor, battery, or brakes can lead to sudden failures and crashes. In some cases, unsafe lithium-ion batteries have been linked to fires and accidents.
- High speeds: Because e-bikes travel longer distances and at greater speeds than traditional bikes, accidents can result in more serious injuries.
Whatever the cause, an e-bike accident can leave riders with severe consequences. If you have been injured in any of these circumstances, JMW can help you pursue a claim for compensation.
When Am I Entitled to Make an E-Bike Accident Claim?
You may be entitled to make a claim if you were injured in an e-bike accident and another party was responsible. Negligence and a failure to uphold a duty of care, are the key factors. In the context of an e-bike accident claim, a duty of care means that others - such as drivers, local councils responsible for road maintenance, or manufacturers of e-bikes and their components - have a legal responsibility to act in a way that protects your safety. If that duty is breached and you are injured as a result, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
The law also recognises that responsibility can be shared. Even if you believe you were partly at fault for your injuries - for example, because you did not wear a helmet - you may still be able to recover compensation. In these cases, the settlement is adjusted to reflect the proportion of responsibility assigned to each party.
For a claim to succeed, three conditions usually need to be met:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- That duty of care was breached.
- You were injured as a direct result of the breach.
If these criteria apply, you may have a strong case. JMW can assess your situation in detail, explain your legal position, and advise you on the next steps.
What Kind of Injuries Can Be Caused by E-Bike Accidents?
E-bike accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, some of which require urgent medical attention. Because e-bikes can reach higher speeds than traditional bicycles, the impact of a crash is often more severe. Common e-bike injuries include:
- Head injuries and head trauma: Riders are at risk of concussion, skull fractures and brain injuries. Using a helmet can reduce the severity, but does not eliminate the risk.
- Spinal injuries: Damage to the back or neck can have lasting effects, particularly where the spinal cord is involved.
- Fractures and broken bones: Arms, legs and collarbones are especially vulnerable in a fall or collision with a vehicle.
- Soft tissue injuries: Muscle, ligament and tendon damage is common and can take time to heal.
Some cases involve multiple injuries, which can make recovery more complex. You will need to speak to your solicitor about how the injuries you sustained could affect the scope of your compensation claim.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for an E-Bike Accident?
The amount of compensation you can claim after an e-bike accident depends on several factors. No two cases are the same, and the value of your claim will be assessed based on the type and severity of your injuries, as well as the wider impact the accident has had on your life.
Compensation is usually divided into two parts:
- General damages: Covering the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injuries. More serious injuries, such as head trauma or spinal damage, usually result in higher awards.
- Special damages: Covering the financial losses linked to the accident. This may include lost earnings, medical expenses, the cost of rehabilitation, travel costs while you are unable to ride, and the cost of repairing or replacing your e-bike.
In cases involving severe injuries, compensation may also take into account the cost of long-term care, home adaptations and support services.
JMW will explain the factors that apply in your situation, gather the evidence needed to prove your losses, and work to secure the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled.
What Are the Time Limits for Making an E-Bike Accident Claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the e-bike accident to start a claim for compensation. This means court proceedings must be issued within three years of when the accident happened, or from the date you first became aware that your injuries were linked to it.
There are some exceptions to this rule:
- Children: If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the three-year period does not begin until their 18th birthday. They then have until their 21st birthday to bring a claim.
- Lack of mental capacity: If the injured person is unable to make a claim themselves because they lack capacity, there is no time limit unless capacity is regained.
It is always best to seek legal advice as soon as possible. This gives your solicitor more time to gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and prepare the case thoroughly.
FAQs About E-Bike Accidents
- What is classed as an electric bike?
In England and Wales, an electric bike - also called an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) - is treated in law much the same as a traditional bicycle. To qualify as an e-bike, it must have pedals that can be used to propel it and a motor with a maximum continuous power output of 250 watts, which must not assist the rider when travelling above 15.5mph.
Bikes that do not meet these criteria may be classed as mopeds or motorcycles instead.
- Do I need insurance or a licence to ride an e-bike?
If your e-bike meets the legal definition of an EAPC, you do not need a licence, insurance or vehicle tax to ride it. Riders must be aged 14 or over, and all the usual rules of the Highway Code apply. If your bike exceeds the limits for an EAPC, different rules will apply, and it may be treated as a motor vehicle.
- What evidence do I need to make an e-bike accident claim?
Evidence is vital in supporting an accident claim. This may include medical reports from the hospital or your GP, photographs of the accident scene or your injuries, witness details, and police or emergency services reports if they attended. Records of expenses, such as receipts for travel or bike repairs, can maximise the compensation you will be entitled to claim.
JMW's team of specialist cycling solicitors will be able to guide you on what evidence is needed and help you collect it.
Talk to Us
If you have been injured in an e-bike accident, JMW can help you claim the compensation to which you are entitled. Our solicitors will handle your case with expertise and care, giving you access to the support and rehabilitation you need.
Call us today on 0345 872 6666 to speak to a member of our team. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form and we will call you back at a time that suits you.