An article in the New York Daily News describes the injuries sustained by several Citi Bike riders as severe and “grotesque.” Earlier this month, Citi Bike announced that it has pulled from service its entire fleet of 1,000 electric pedal-assist bikes because of a problem with the brakes. The Daily News gave several examples of Citi Bike users who suffered serious injuries after falling from their bikes.
Broken Bones and Medical Bills
One man slammed on the brakes to avoid a pedestrian and ended up flying head over heels onto the ground breaking both his elbows. The man said the injuries kept him home from his job as a nurse and may become permanent where he cannot fully extend his arms. Another 59-year-old man said he broke his hip after tapping the front brake on a pedal-assist Citi Bike on the Upper West Side last month. The hip he broke was the one he had replaced last fall. The man says his doctor told him he would not be pain-free for a year.
The Daily News identified eight New Yorkers who have racked up medical expenses after suffering injuries while riding these electric bikes. Another 41-year-old woman, a daily commuter, said she broke her left wrist on March 3 after flying off a hard-stopping electric City Bike in Park Slope.
Ongoing Investigation
Bicycle experts say Citi Bike may have designed its electric bikes poorly. The bikes use brakes from Japan-based parts manufacturer, Shimano. But company spokespersons say they stand by their products. Lyft, which operates the Citi Bike system, has said it is working to find the root cause of this issue that has left several New Yorkers seriously injured. A spokesperson for Lyft said those injured on the electric bikes must go through Citi Bike’s standard customer service process.
The issue has even caught the attention of the Mayor and city officials who have said the city’s Department of Transportation will begin to require more extensive incident reporting from Citi Bike. Because of these incidents and injuries, Lyft has also pulled its fleet of electric bikes from Washington D.C. and the Bay Area.
Liability Issues and Compensation
If you have been injured while riding a Citi Bike, it is important that you take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights. First, make sure you file a detailed incident report with Citi Bike. It is important that you go through their reporting process. Citi Bike’s website urges those involved in an accident while riding a Citi Bike call 911 right away and file a report with an officer in the precinct where the crash occurred. Citi Bike also requires that you notify them of the incident by calling customer service within 24 hours. They will provide you with a Citi Bike Crash Report form to fill out.
Make sure you get prompt medical attention, treatment and care for the injuries you have sustained. Keep a detailed record of the treatment you have received as well as the expenses you have incurred as a result of your injuries.
Injured victims of Citi Bike accidents may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a number of different parties including the companies operating the program, negligent (careless) motorists who cause the collision and in some cases, the city. Victims may be able to seek compensation for damages including but not limited to medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. An experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through what may become a complex process and help you maximize the compensation you receive.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Citi Bike accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-citi-bike-electrics-injury-complaints-20190421-5fq26lrlbvbihj2re7zpqhiepi-story.html