Petrarca and Petrarca Law Offices

E-Bike Accidents & Injuries: What Rhode Islanders Need to Know

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) and e-scooters offer a convenient way to stay active while commuting, running errands, or just enjoying the outdoors. But not everyone knows how to share the roads and streets with newer forms of transportation like these. And when vehicles and e-bikes collide, dangerous e-bike accidents and life-changing personal injuries can follow.

If you were hurt in an e-bike or e-scooter accident, the Rhode Island personal injury lawyers at Petrarca Law are ready to fight for your rights and help you get the insurance settlement you need to rebuild your life.

E-Bike & E-Scooter Laws in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, e-bikes and e-scooters are legal and can operate on regular roadways, with restrictions for highways and other high-traffic roads. Riders have to follow all the regular rules of the road, like stopping for traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, maintaining a proper following distance, and never operating under the influence.

Some cities and local governments, such as Newport, forbid e-bikes from sidewalks and require riders to be 16 years old or older. Always check your area’s local laws before heading out on the road.

Drivers of motor vehicles are expected to treat e-bikes and e-scooters as they would a standard cyclist, using precautions like maintaining a proper following distance, passing safely, and checking for bicycles before merging lanes.

How Common Are E-Bike Accidents?

New technology and government-backed initiatives have led to growing e-bike popularity, with sales jumping by 60% in 2020 and the market expected to double from $2.2 billion in 2024 to an estimated $4.5 billion by 2034.

But the rapid growth of e-bikes and other electric vehicles has also led to a spike in e-bike and e-scooter accidents.

E-Scooter & E-Bike Accident Statistics

Nationally, there were 51,700 electric scooter accidents in 2022 alone, a 22% year-over-year increase from 2021.

A 2023 United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US-CPSC) found that there were 360,800 reported injuries from all microbobility devices between 2017 and 2022, with a large increase in year-over-year injuries as they grow more popular.

More recent data from some cities and states show accident and injury rates even higher than in previous years. For example, E-bike and e-scooter riders are especially vulnerable to bigger, heavier vehicles. When a car strikes a cyclist, the results can be devastating: In all accident types, severe injuries are more likely if a motorized vehicle is involved.

We’ve compiled specific e-bike injury statistics below.

E-bike Injury Statistics

• Every year, around 20,000 people are injured riding e-bikes, resulting in 3,000 long-term hospital visits.
• There were 53,200 emergency room visits for e-bikes between 2017 and 2022, with 46% of all reported e-bike injuries occurring in 2022 alone.
• E-bike injuries are generally more severe than those from standard bicycles.
• 51% of all reported e-bike injuries are fractures, while 30% are concussions.
• Only 44% of injured e-bike riders with head injuries wore helmets.
• E-bike injuries due to collisions are 33% more likely to involve a motor vehicle, rather than a standard bicycle.
• Older riders and male riders are more likely to suffer e-bike injuries.

E-Scooter Injury Statistics

• There were 169,300 emergency room visits for e-scooters between 2017 and 2022.
• Rental e-scooters account for around 40% of e-scooter injuries, with an estimated 17 to 37% of emergency room visits related to rental scooters.
• E-scooter injuries rose 80% between 2020 and 2024, from 29,344 to 115,713, across the U.S.
• 63% of reported e-scooter injuries happen on paved roads.
• Low visibility and distracted driving are two of the biggest risk factors for electric scooter accidents resulting in e-scooter injuries.
• Injured e-scooter riders contain a higher percentage of women, younger people, and racial minorities than e-bike riders.
• The number of children injured on e-scooters doubled between 2020 and 2024.
• Nearly 56% of injured e-scooter riders undergo some form of plastic surgery.

What to Do After E-Bike Accidents

If you ever find yourself in an e-bike or e-scooter accident, try to remember the following steps to lay the groundwork for a fair personal injury or property damage settlement.

1. Call 911 to report the accident. If you’re able, get yourself out of the roadway and to a safe place.
2. Document everything by taking photos and videos of the accident scene and recording statements from witnesses.
3. Go to the hospital. NEVER refuse treatment at the scene. Let the first responders do their jobs, and go to the hospital to establish an early paper trail of your injuries.
4. Exchange insurance information with others involved in the accident.
5. Avoid claiming fault. Don’t say anything at the scene that could be construed as fault, even basic statements like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you.”
6. Keep records. Keep track of all your medical bills and records, as well as receipts from mechanics for property damage.
7. Ask for advice. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to file an insurance claim before seeking legal counsel. If your case is complex or particularly valuable, it could be beneficial to talk with a Providence personal injury lawyer right off the bat.

Who Pays for E-Bike or E-Scooter Injuries?

With emergency room visits more expensive every year, and fractures and head trauma common in e-bike and e-scooter accidents, you might be wondering how you’ll pay for your medical bills.

Rhode Island is an at-fault state. Meaning, if the driver of a motorized vehicle, like a car or truck, caused a collision, their liability insurance must cover any injuries that occur as a result of the driver’s negligence. That said, getting an insurance company to pay its fair share is often more challenging than it should be.

Because insurance companies want to maximize their profit margins, claims adjusters will look for opportunities to minimize the company’s liability. They might argue that an e-bike cyclist actually caused the accident through distracted driving or that their injuries didn’t actually come from a crash – even if there’s plenty of evidence to the contrary.

But if an insurance company wants to play hardball, you don’t need to settle for their first offer. You can file appeals and negotiate with a dedicated legal team by your side.

Work with a Rhode Island Personal Injury Lawyer for E-Bike Accidents

If you or someone you love was injured in an e-bike or e-scooter accident, you shouldn’t have to fight all alone. The personal injury lawyers at Petrarca Law are here to stand up for your rights to a fair settlement and are considered the best E-bike accident lawyers in Rhode Island

As experienced Providence-based personal injury lawyers, we don’t let insurance companies bully our clients. We know all their usual tricks and tactics, and how to get the best results for our clients inside or outside the courtroom. All you need to do is focus on healing.

Contact us today for a free case consultation.