E-bike accidents around Virginia Commonwealth University are becoming increasingly common as electric bikes gain popularity.
Whether you’re commuting to class or running errands, the mix of vehicle traffic, narrow bike lanes, and distracted drivers puts riders at serious risk. One careless move by a motorist can leave you hurt, bewildered, and unsure of what comes next.
At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we help injured riders get answers and take the next steps with confidence. If you were hit on your e-bike near VCU, we’re here to help you make sense of what comes next.
This guide will walk you through your legal rights, the steps to take after a crash, and how a Richmond bike accident lawyer can help you move forward.
What Are the Laws for E-Bike Riders in Virginia?
If you ride an e-bike around VCU, it’s important to understand how Virginia law treats electric power-assisted bicycles. Knowing your rights and responsibilities can also affect your ability to bring an injury claim.
E-Bikes Receive the Same Rights as Bicycles
Virginia law treats electric power-assisted bicycles similarly to traditional bicycles in terms of traffic rules and roadway use.
That means riders have the same rights and responsibilities as cyclists, including the legal right to ride on public streets, highways, roads, shoulders, bike lanes, and shared-use paths.
In short, if a standard bicycle is allowed in a particular area, so is an e-bike, unless a specific restriction is in place. This legal protection is important when filing a claim after an e-bike accident, as it reinforces that you were permitted to ride where the crash occurred.
E-Bike Riders Must Follow Certain Road Rules
E-bike riders should stay as close as safely possible to the right edge of the road when moving slower than surrounding traffic. However, you’re allowed to move left when:
- Passing another vehicle,
- Making a left turn,
- Avoiding road hazards,
- Dealing with narrow lanes or right-turn-only lanes, or
- When riding on a one-way street.
You can also ride two abreast with another cyclist, as long as it doesn’t obstruct normal traffic flow, and you should move into a single-file formation as soon as practicable when being overtaken by passing vehicles.
Local Helmet Laws and What They Mean for Your Claim
Virginia gives cities and counties the power to require riders under 15 to wear helmets. In Richmond, this may apply depending on the local ordinance.
However, even if you weren’t wearing a helmet when the accident occurred, Virginia law specifically states that failure to wear one is not evidence of negligence and cannot be used to reduce your compensation in a civil lawsuit.
What Should You Do After a Richmond E-Bike Crash Near VCU?
Being involved in an e-bike crash can be disorienting and overwhelming. But the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly affect your health, recovery, and potential legal claim.
Here’s what to do:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay, internal injuries or concussions may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical treatment not only protects your health but also creates vital documentation linking your injuries to the crash.
- Request a police report. Law enforcement will document the scene, gather witness statements, and note any traffic violations. Make sure to get the responding officer’s name and the report number.
- Take photos and video. If you’re able, document the scene with your phone. Capture images of your e-bike, any involved vehicles, visible injuries, skid marks, traffic signs, and road hazards.
- Get contact information. Exchange names, phone numbers, driver’s license info, and insurance details with the driver involved. Also, gather names and contact information for any witnesses nearby.
- Preserve your e-bike and gear. Don’t repair or dispose of your e-bike, helmet, or damaged clothing. These items may serve as important evidence of the crash’s severity and mechanics.
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies. It’s common for insurers to contact you quickly, but it’s best not to provide a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
- Consult an experienced e-bike accident lawyer. A lawyer can evaluate your claim, handle communication with insurers, investigate the crash, and help you pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Taking the right steps now can protect your health and your future. If you’ve been injured on an electric bike near VCU, don’t try to navigate the legal process alone.
How Do I Prove My Claim?
To recover compensation after a Richmond e-bike crash, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries.
In legal terms, negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. A person is negligent when they act (or fail to act) in a way that puts others at risk and causes harm.
Negligence can take many forms in and around the Virginia Commonwealth University area. Some of the most common causes of e-bike collisions include:
- Distracted driving,
- Failure to yield,
- Dooring incidents (when a vehicle opens a door into oncoming traffic, causing a collision),
- Speeding or reckless driving,
- Aggressive or unsafe passing, and
- Poor road conditions.
If you were injured while riding a Richmond e-bike near VCU, don’t assume the system will work in your favor automatically. Building a strong negligence claim takes strategy and quick action.
Virginia follows a contributory negligence system, meaning that if an insurer can argue you were even slightly at fault, they may try to deny your claim entirely.
Building a strong negligence claim takes strategy, quick action, and informed guidance on your rights and options. If you’ve been hurt in an e-bike accident that wasn’t your fault, Merrick Brock, PLLC, can step in and handle the legal side of things, allowing you to focus on your healing.
Talk to an E-Bike Accident Lawyer Serving the VCU Area
E-bike accidents can derail your plans in an instant, leaving you with medical appointments to juggle, classes to catch up on, and insurance companies asking for answers before you’ve even had time to process what happened. You shouldn’t have to manage all of that on your own.
When you contact Merrick Brock, PLLC, you speak with a team that knows how these cases unfold behind the scenes.
We take the time to understand what this crash has changed for you, including your injuries, ability to navigate campus, and financial pressures, and we tailor our approach to meet your needs next. Consultations are free, and you won’t owe anything unless we recover compensation for you.
If you were injured in an e-bike accident around VCU, reach out today. We’re here to help you understand your options and move toward a safer, more stable future.