Lombard E-Bike Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Injuries When Using Electric Bicycles and Scooters in Lombard, IL

Electric bikes and electric scooters have become more and more popular in recent years. As these vehicles become more affordable and are being made available for quick, easy rental, more people are using them to travel on streets, bike paths, and trails in Lombard and the surrounding areas. While e-bikes and e-scooters can provide a fast and convenient way to get around town, their increase in popularity has also led to an increase in accidents.

People who use e-bikes and e-scooters, others who use bike lanes, pedestrians, and people in larger motor vehicles may become involved in collisions that can lead to serious injuries. In these situations, injury victims will need to understand who may be held responsible for an accident and how they can obtain compensation for their injuries. At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we provide legal representation in personal injury cases related to e-bikes and e-scooters. We can help determine whether a crash was caused by a careless driver, a malfunctioning device, hazardous road conditions, or other issues, and we will help our clients obtain compensation that will address the damages they have suffered.

New Illinois Laws for E-Bikes and E-Scooters

Illinois lawmakers have passed a new law that is meant to regulate the use of electric bikes and electric scooters on the state's roads. These changes take effect on January 1, 2027, and they include:

Speed Limits: Low-power electric bikes and scooters are known as electric micromobility devices, and they generally cannot go faster than 28 miles per hour. Devices that exceed 28 miles per hour or have more than 750 watts of power are classified as motor-driven cycles that are treated similarly to larger motor vehicles.
Sidewalk, Bike Lane, and Road Restrictions: E-bikes and e-scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks unless they are classified as toy vehicles designed for young children with a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour. Electric micromobility devices can generally be operated on streets and bike lanes, as long as they do not obstruct traffic. Low-speed electric devices cannot operate on roads with a speed limit higher than 35 miles per hour unless they are operating in a bike lane. Higher-speed motor-driven cycles can be used on public roads and highways, and they generally cannot be used in bike lanes. However, these high-speed vehicles are prohibited on interstate freeways, divided highways, or highways with speed limits higher than 55 miles per hour.
Age Requirements: A person must be at least 15 years old to operate a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike that can travel up to 20 miles per hour. For Class 3 3-bikes and other devices that can travel up to 28 miles per hour, a person must be at least 16 years old.
Licensing for High-Speed Devices: Electric vehicles that can travel more than 28 miles per hour or that have at least 750 watts of power will require operators to have valid driver's licenses. These vehicles will be licensed similarly to motorcycles, and license plates, registration, and insurance will be required.
DUI Enforcement: People who operate e-bikes and e-scooters on public roads will be subject to DUI laws. They could be arrested and charged with DUI if they operate these vehicles while exceeding the legal limit for alcohol or marijuana or while they are intoxicated by drugs.

These laws are meant to improve safety for everyone sharing the road, but they may also lead to questions about fault when accidents occur. A person who was operating an e-bike on a public road without a license may be assigned some share of fault for a collision. A driver who strikes a person on an e-scooter who was traveling in a bike lane may be held liable for failing to drive safely around a smaller vehicle. Our lawyers can make sure changing laws and regulations are addressed when helping clients determine how to address e-bike or e-scooter accidents.

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Reasons Riders May Be Injured by Negligent Drivers

Riders of e-bikes and e-scooters are at risk of being seriously injured in collisions. Even if a person is struck by a car or truck that is traveling at a relatively low speed, they may suffer serious harm due to the impact with the vehicle or being thrown to the ground. Many accidents occur because drivers fail to take care when driving around smaller electric vehicles.

There are multiple forms of driver negligence that can lead to accidents. Drivers may not look in their mirrors or check their blind spots before changing lanes or making turns. They may misjudge the speed of an e-bike or e-scooter that is moving faster than a traditional bicycle. A person may open their car door into a bike lane without checking for approaching scooters or bikes. A driver may cause an accident because they are distracted by a phone or other activities or because of speed limit violations in areas with bicycle and scooter traffic.

Because e-bikes and e-scooters offer little to no protection in a collision, riders may suffer injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord damage. When traveling at speeds between 15 and 28 miles per hour, a rider who is thrown to the ground in a collision can suffer serious injuries such as lacerations, severe bruises, and road rash.

How Defective E-Bikes and E-Scooters Can Cause Injuries

In some cases, accidents can occur because of devices that do not function correctly. Manufacturers of e-bikes or e-scooters may be held liable if dangerous defects caused riders to suffer harm.

Some devices may have defective batteries or electrical systems. Faulty lithium-ion batteries have been known to overheat, catch fire, or explode without warning. Brake failures may also be an issue. When brakes do not function correctly, a rider may be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Brakes that lock up unexpectedly may send a rider flying from a vehicle and cause them to suffer serious injuries when they land on the ground. Defective throttles can cause accidents when a device accelerates unexpectedly, or structural weaknesses may cause vehicles to become unstable while they are in motion.

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Contact Our Lombard, Illinois E-Bike and E-Scooter Accident Attorneys

Electric bike or scooter accidents can lead to painful injuries and significant financial losses. People who have suffered harm in these types of accidents will need to understand how they may be affected by changes to laws and regulations, and they will need to take the right steps to identify the parties who were responsible and recover compensation. At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, our attorneys can provide effective legal representation in these situations, and we will fight to help ensure that injury victims will have the financial resources they need as they recover. Contact our Lombard e-bike accident lawyers today at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free consultation.