Luis Cruz, 49, was fatally injured in a bicycle versus pedestrian accident after he was struck by an e-bike rider the night of March 21. According to a report in the New York Daily News, Cruz was crossing Franklin Street near India Street in Greenpoint when a 26-year-old man riding an e-bike crashed into him. Police said Cruz was thrown to the ground and suffered a severe head injury. He was transported to a nearby hospital.
The bicyclist remained at the scene and cooperated with police, the report stated. Cruz succumbed to his injuries. Police said he lived a mile from where he was struck. No criminal charged were immediately filed. It was not clear how fast the e-bike rider was going when he struck the pedestrian. The investigation into this fatal collision is still ongoing. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Luis Cruz for their tragic loss. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
E-Bike-Related Incidents in NYC
NYPD reports that as of last week, two people have been killed in e-bike crashes in the city this year, which is two fewer than during the same time last year. More than three times as many people died while riding e-bikes in New York City in 2023 than died on traditional bicycles, according to city data, with 23 people killed on e-bikes and seven on traditional bicycles.
In 2021, actress Lisa Banes, a Broadway performer, died after a scooter mowed her down while she crossed with the light at Amsterdam Avenue and West 64th Street near Lincoln Center. The city, in response to the high number of fatal crashes, launched a $1-million e-bike safety ad campaign last year. Neighbors in Brooklyn where this fatal crash occurred said people speeding down the street on e-bikes and scooters are a constant problem.
Why E-Bike Collisions Are Lethal for Pedestrians
Pedestrian versus e-bike crashes are dangerous because of the speed, weight and silent operation of electric bikes. Unlike traditional bicycles, e-bikes can reach speeds of 20 to 28 mph, significantly increasing the force of impact in a collision. Pedestrians, who have little to no protection, are at high risk of serious injuries such as head trauma, fractures and internal injuries.
E-bikes are also heavier than regular bicycles, making it harder for riders to stop or maneuver quickly in emergency situations. Additionally, because e-bikes operate quietly, pedestrians may not hear them approaching, especially in busy urban areas or shared pathways. This lack of awareness increases the chances of sudden, unexpected collisions. Distracted operation of an e-bike, failure to follow traffic rules, and inadequate infrastructure further contribute to the danger.
Compensation for Victims
Pedestrian accidents have the potential to result in catastrophic injuries ranging from traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord trauma to broken bones and internal organ damage. Injured victims of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
Pedestrian accident victims and their families should also remember that they can seek compensation for injuries or losses in collisions even if the victim was not walking in a marked crosswalk and even if the driver involved in collision was not charged. Our law firm recovered the full one million dollar insurance policy for a girl who was not in the crosswalk when a motor vehicle hit her.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, 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 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We 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 $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, 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.
We also obtained $295,000 in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident (where a car door opens into the path of a bicyclist). Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
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, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy 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/2025/03/22/e-bike-rider-kills-49-year-old-man-crossing-brooklyn-street/