An e-bike accident can happen in seconds. What you do afterward can affect both your recovery and your ability to establish what happened.
If you were hit by a car, truck, rideshare vehicle, or another motorist while riding an electric bicycle, focus first on your safety and medical needs. Once you are safe, take reasonable steps to preserve evidence.
Here are seven important things to do after an e-bike accident in Texas.
1. Get to a Safe Location
If you can move safely, get away from traffic and other hazards.
Do not put yourself at greater risk by attempting to retrieve property or confront another driver in an unsafe roadway.
If you are seriously injured, wait for emergency responders.
2. Call 911
If the accident caused injuries or significant property damage, contact law enforcement.
Tell the responding officer what happened and provide accurate information. Avoid guessing about who was at fault.
The resulting police report may become important evidence when dealing with an insurance company or pursuing a personal injury claim.
3. Get Medical Attention
Some serious injuries are not immediately obvious.
An e-bike rider may initially feel relatively well because of adrenaline after the collision, only to develop significant symptoms later.
Head injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and soft-tissue injuries may require prompt evaluation.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations and keep records of your treatment.
4. Photograph the Accident Scene
If you are physically able to do so, photograph as much as possible.
Take pictures of:
- Your e-bike
- The other vehicle
- License plates
- Roadway conditions
- Traffic signs
- Traffic signals
- Bike lanes
- Skid marks
- Debris
- Your visible injuries
Photographs can disappear from view after vehicles are moved or road conditions change, so documenting the scene promptly can be valuable.
5. Collect Witness and Driver Information
Obtain the other driver’s:
- Name
- Contact information
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance information
- Vehicle information
Also ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
Do not rely solely on the driver’s version of events. Witness testimony can become important if the parties later disagree about how the collision occurred.
6. Preserve Your E-Bike and Other Evidence
Do not immediately throw away or discard damaged equipment.
If possible, preserve:
- The e-bike
- Helmet
- Damaged clothing
- Lights
- Camera footage
- GPS data
- Electronic records
- Receipts and purchase information
If a defective component may have contributed to the accident, preserving the bicycle can be especially important.
7. Be Careful When Dealing With Insurance Companies
The other driver’s insurance company may contact you soon after the crash.
An adjuster may ask for information about:
- How the accident happened
- Your injuries
- Your medical treatment
- Your prior medical history
- Your ability to work
Answer questions truthfully, but understand that an insurance company’s interests may not be the same as yours.
Before signing a release or accepting a settlement, consider having the offer reviewed by a Texas personal injury attorney.
Texas E-Bike Riders Have Legal Rights
Texas law generally gives electric bicycle operators the same rights and duties applicable to bicycle operators, subject to bicycle-specific rules.
Being on an e-bike does not automatically make you responsible for a collision.
If another driver caused the accident, you may have a claim for your injuries and other losses.
What If the Driver Left the Scene?
Hit-and-run crashes can make an e-bike injury claim more complicated.
If the driver fled, provide law enforcement with as much information as possible, including the vehicle description, license plate, direction of travel, and any available video footage.
You should also preserve your own insurance information because uninsured motorist coverage may be relevant depending on the circumstances and applicable policy.
Talk to a Texas E-Bike Accident Attorney
If you were injured while riding an electric bicycle, you should not have to navigate the insurance process alone.
At Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP, we investigate e-bike accidents throughout Pearland, Houston, Harris County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and surrounding Texas communities.
We work to identify how the collision occurred, determine who may be responsible, document your injuries and losses, and pursue the compensation available under Texas law.
If you were injured in an e-bike accident, contact Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP to discuss your legal options.