Los Angeles E-Bike Accident Lawyers
Injured in an E-Bike Accident? Speak Directly with an Attorney About Your Case.
When the Los Angeles City Council debated banning e-bikes from city trails in April 2026, the Los Angeles Times turned to McGee Lerer Ogrin founding partner Catherine Lerer for expert commentary. She has handled dozens of e-bike accident cases, advised cities across the United States and Europe on micromobility safety policy, and has been representing injured riders and pedestrians since e-bikes first appeared on Los Angeles streets.
If you have been hurt in an e-bike accident in Los Angeles, call (310) 231-9717 for a free consultation. You will speak directly with an attorney.
Why Catherine Lerer Is Los Angeles' Most Experienced E-Bike Accident Attorney
Most personal injury attorneys handle e-bike cases the same way they handle bicycle cases. Catherine Lerer approaches them differently — because she understands how e-bikes actually work, where California law draws the distinctions between classes of e-bikes, and what cities are doing right and wrong to protect riders and pedestrians. That depth of knowledge comes directly from her work outside the courtroom.
Quoted by the LA Times on E-Bike Safety (April 2026)
In April 2026, the Los Angeles Times cited Catherine Lerer as an e-bike accident authority in its coverage of the LA City Council's proposed e-bike trail ban. She was quoted directly on the danger of minors riding e-bikes without understanding California's speed and classification rules — a pattern she sees repeatedly in the cases that come through her office.
Municipal Advisor on Micromobility Safety Policy
Catherine has consulted with city officials — including mayors, city managers, transportation directors, and ministers of transportation — across the United States and Europe on micromobility safety policy. In addition, she served as a presenter for the European Road Safety Charter on e-scooter road safety and regulations. That policy-level understanding of how cities manage rider and pedestrian safety informs every micromobility case she handles in Los Angeles, including e-bike accident claims.
She Changed California Law on Micromobility
In 2023, McGee Lerer Ogrin took a case involving an improperly placed electric scooter all the way to the California Court of Appeals. The resulting ruling in Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc. established that micromobility companies have a legal duty to remove or reposition devices that pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public, creating new legal grounds for pedestrians to seek compensation. It is the kind of case that changes the law, not just the outcome for one client.
Super Lawyer — 2025 & 2026
Catherine Lerer has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 2025 and 2026 — a peer-reviewed designation based on professional achievement and recognition by fellow attorneys. Fewer than 5% of attorneys in California receive this recognition in any given year.
Lifetime Member — Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Catherine holds a lifetime membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor reserved for attorneys who have won cases valued at $2 million or more. Fewer than 1% of attorneys in the United States qualify.
E-Bike Accidents in Los Angeles Are Increasing Rapidly — and the Injuries Are Serious
E-bike accidents in California increased 18.6 times over five years — from 184 accidents in 2018 to 3,429 in 2023, according to the American College of Surgeons. In Los Angeles, those accidents are concentrated on the city's most-traveled bike corridors: the LA River Bike Path, the Venice Beach Boardwalk, the Expo Line bike path, the Arroyo Seco trail in Pasadena, and the growing network of bike lanes through Culver City, Silver Lake, Playa del Rey, and the Eastside.
A peer-reviewed study published in the journal Neurosurgery found that at one major urban trauma center, e-bike and e-scooter injuries accounted for over half of all bike and scooter trauma cases by 2023 — up from just 8% in 2018. Approximately 30% of those patients suffered a traumatic brain injury, 50% required surgery, and pedestrians who were struck by e-bikes sustained even more severe brain injuries than the riders themselves.
These are not minor accidents. E-bikes can legally travel at up to 28 mph under California law — faster than most people can run, fast enough to cause catastrophic injuries in a collision with a car, a pedestrian, or a fixed object. When those accidents happen because of a driver's negligence, a defective e-bike, an improperly placed obstacle, or a municipality's failure to maintain safe infrastructure, the injured party has a right to compensation.
Who We Represent After an E-Bike Accident in Los Angeles
McGee Lerer Ogrin represents three categories of e-bike accident victims in Los Angeles and across Southern California:
E-Bike Riders Injured by Motor Vehicles
The most common e-bike accident we handle involves a rider struck by a car — typically a driver turning left across the rider's path, veering right into the bike lane, or exiting a driveway or parking structure without checking for approaching cyclists. Under California law, the driver's auto insurance is the primary source of compensation. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, we look to the rider's own policy for uninsured motorist coverage.
California's comparative negligence rules mean insurance companies will frequently attempt to assign partial fault to the rider — arguing that the e-bike was traveling too fast, riding outside a designated lane, or failing to wear a helmet. Our team investigates the accident thoroughly, using e-bike GPS and speed data, surveillance footage, and independent witness accounts to establish what actually happened.
Pedestrians Hit by E-Bike Riders
If you were walking and struck by a rider on an e-bike, you may have a claim against the rider's homeowners or renters insurance, a dedicated e-bike liability policy if one exists, or — in some cases — against the municipality or property owner responsible for the space where the accident occurred. The 2023 appellate ruling in Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc., which our firm obtained, established important new legal grounds for pedestrian claims involving improperly placed or negligently operated micromobility devices. If you were hit by a shared e-bike or scooter, those same principles may apply to your case.
Riders Injured by Defective E-Bikes
E-bike defect cases — involving throttle malfunctions, battery fires, brake failures, or structural defects — fall under California products liability law. These claims are brought against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, and do not require proving that anyone was negligent — only that the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury. Daniel McGee spent 16 years at one of California's leading personal injury firms, handling products liability cases against major auto manufacturers, including cases that resulted in some of the largest verdicts in California history. That experience applies directly to defective e-bike litigation.
California E-Bike Law: What Class Is Your Bike, and Why Does It Matter for Your Claim?
California classifies e-bikes into three classes. The class of the bike involved in your accident directly affects what rules apply, who may be liable, and how insurance companies will evaluate the claim.
Class | Max Speed (motor assist) | Pedaling Required? | Key Legal Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Class 1 | 20 mph | Yes — pedal assist only | No license required. Allowed on most bike paths. Riders under 18 must wear helmets. |
Class 2 | 20 mph | No — throttle allowed | No license required. Same path access as Class 1. Throttle-related defects common. |
Class 3 | 28 mph | Yes — pedal assist only | Riders must be 16+. Restricted from some Class 1 bike paths. Higher speeds mean more severe injury patterns. |
Modified/Illegal | 28+ mph (illegally modified) | Varies | Conversion kits can push bikes to 45+ mph. Manufacturer, seller, or modifier may be liable. Criminal charges possible for parents of minors (see OC case, March 2026). |
In 2025, California passed SB-1271, which caps motorized assistance on Class 1 e-bikes at 20 mph and introduced additional safety parameters. A further bill currently moving through the California legislature — the E-Bike Accountability Act — would require Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes to be registered with the DMV and display license plates. If passed, this would significantly change how fault is established and how accident victims identify liable parties after a hit-and-run.
These evolving rules matter for your case. The class of e-bike involved, whether it was legally modified, and what path or lane it was using at the time of the accident, all affect which laws apply and who can be held liable. This is exactly the kind of analysis our attorneys perform on every e-bike case we accept.
Where E-Bike Accidents Happen in Los Angeles
E-bike accidents in Los Angeles tend to cluster on the city's most heavily-used cycling corridors and in neighborhoods where e-bike adoption has grown fastest. We regularly handle cases from:
- The LA River Bike Path — a 50+ mile corridor from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. High-speed e-bike traffic mixed with pedestrians and slower cyclists creates frequent collision points, particularly at street crossings.
- The Venice Beach Boardwalk and Marvin Braude Bike Trail — a heavily congested path where e-bikes, rental bikes, pedestrians, and roller skaters share extremely limited space. Speed differentials between Class 3 e-bikes and pedestrians are a persistent hazard.
- Culver City and Mar Vista — among the fastest-growing e-bike commuter corridors in LA. Conflicts with car traffic at unprotected intersections and driver door zones are the most common accident types.
- Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and the Eastside — hilly terrain where e-bike speeds on descents exceed what riders and drivers anticipate, increasing both collision severity and fault disputes.
- Playa del Rey and Westchester — coastal paths and beach access routes with mixed pedestrian-cyclist use and limited separation.
- Pasadena — Arroyo Seco Trail and Rose Bowl Loop — popular recreational routes where e-bike speeds create hazards for families and equestrians.
- Inglewood and South LA — areas where the intersection of high e-bike adoption and underinvested cycling infrastructure creates disproportionate accident rates.
How We Build Your E-Bike Accident Case
E-bike accident cases require a different investigative approach than standard bicycle cases. The e-bike itself is a data source. Many modern e-bikes record GPS location, speed at the time of impact, throttle and brake input, and motor output. That data can corroborate or contradict a driver's account of events, establish the e-bike's speed at the moment of impact, and document whether the bike was operating within its class specifications.
From your first call, you speak directly with an attorney at McGee Lerer Ogrin — not a paralegal, not an intake coordinator. We begin building your case immediately, before evidence disappears and before the insurance company has the chance to shape the narrative.
Our investigation typically involves:
- Retrieval and analysis of e-bike GPS and speed data logs
- Securing surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras, and Ring doorbell cameras along the route
- Independent witness canvassing before memories fade
- Inspection of the e-bike for mechanical defects, modification, or damage inconsistent with the reported collision
- Accident reconstruction by expert witnesses when fault is disputed
- Identification of all potentially liable parties — driver, e-bike manufacturer, municipality, or property owner
Our team includes former insurance adjusters who know exactly how insurers evaluate e-bike claims and what arguments they use to reduce payouts. That insider knowledge shapes how we document your case from day one.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an E-Bike Accident?
The damages available in an e-bike accident claim depend on the severity of your injuries and the specific circumstances of the accident. In California, injured parties can seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses — emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and future medical needs
- Lost wages — income you could not earn while recovering
- Diminished earning capacity — if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Pain and suffering — the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident
- Property damage — repair or replacement of your e-bike and any other damaged property
- Loss of consortium — for spouses or domestic partners affected by your injuries
In cases involving serious injury — traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, fractures, or permanent disability — the value of a claim is often significantly higher than what the insurance company initially offers. Our firm has a track record of multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including an $18,000,000 auto v. truck settlement and a $10,000,000 recovery for a family struck by a big rig. We approach every e-bike case with the same preparation we bring to our largest cases.
Speak Directly With an E-Bike Accident Attorney — Free Consultation
E-bike accident cases move quickly. Evidence disappears, witnesses' memories fade, and insurance companies begin building their defense from the moment the accident is reported. The sooner you have an attorney, the stronger your case.
When you call McGee Lerer Ogrin, you speak directly with an attorney — not an answering service, not a paralegal. We will listen to what happened, answer your questions honestly, and tell you what your legal options are. If we do not think you need a lawyer, we will tell you that, too.
We have offices in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Pasadena, and we can come to you at the hospital or at home if needed.
Call (310) 231-9717 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
FAQs About E-Bike Accidents in Los Angeles
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How much is my e-bike accident claim worth in California?It depends on the severity of your injuries, who was at fault, and what insurance coverage is available. Minor injury claims may settle for tens of thousands of dollars. Cases involving traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or permanent disability frequently exceed six or seven figures. The best way to understand the value of your specific case is to speak directly with an attorney.
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Can I sue if I was hit by an e-bike as a pedestrian?Yes. If an e-bike rider's negligence caused your injuries, you may have a claim against their homeowners or renters insurance, a personal liability policy, or — in cases involving shared or commercial e-bikes — against the company that deployed the bike. California appellate law, including the 2023 ruling in Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc. obtained by our firm, has expanded the legal basis for pedestrian claims involving micromobility devices.
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What if the e-bike rider who hit me had no insurance?California does not require e-bike riders to carry liability insurance. However, if the rider is a homeowner or renter, their existing policy may provide coverage. If no coverage is available, your own uninsured motorist policy — if you have one through your auto or homeowners insurance — may apply. Our attorneys will identify every potential source of compensation for your case.
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Does California treat e-bikes differently from regular bicycles?Yes. California classifies e-bikes into three classes based on motor power and maximum assisted speed. The class affects where the bike may legally ride, what age restrictions apply, and whether helmets are required. In an accident case, the class also affects fault analysis — a Class 3 e-bike traveling at 28 mph has different liability implications than a standard bicycle. If the bike was illegally modified to exceed its class limits, the modifier and potentially the seller may also be liable.
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Can I file a claim against the e-bike manufacturer?Yes, if a defect in the e-bike caused or contributed to the accident. California products liability law holds manufacturers, distributors, and retailers liable for defective products regardless of negligence. Common e-bike defects include throttle malfunctions, battery fires, brake failures, and structural failures. Our founding partner Daniel McGee spent 16 years handling products liability cases against major manufacturers — that experience applies directly to defective e-bike claims.
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What should I do immediately after an e-bike accident in Los Angeles?Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel okay — adrenaline masks injuries that appear days later. Get the driver's name, insurance information, and license plate. Photograph the scene, your injuries, the e-bike, and any damage to the vehicle. Get contact information from witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
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How long do I have to file an e-bike accident claim in California?California's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity — such as the City of Los Angeles or a transit authority — is involved, you may need to file a government claim within six months. Time limits can be shorter in cases involving minors or specific circumstances. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Results That Speak for Themselves
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$122,500,000 Global Settlement Sexual Abuse
Represented 14 of 124 childhood sexual abuse victims against the City of Santa Monica.
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$18,000,000 Auto v. Truck
Client rear-ended by trucking company.
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$10,000,000 Auto v. Big Rig
Family struck by a big rig.
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$4,090,000 Auto v. Auto
Family struck by a County of Los Angeles employee.
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$3,500,000 Negligence, Personal Injury
Client who was injured when a piece of machinery fell off a plumbing truck onto his foot.
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$3,500,000 Warehouse Accident
Client whose foot was run over by a forklift driver.