The bike-sharing system put in place by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada offers easy electric bicycle rentals in the Las Vegas area. If you get injured in an accident on a rented e-bike, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation from the RTC in addition to other parties. Liability, or financial responsibility, depends on the circumstances of the crash. When liability is unclear, you can trust a Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney to properly assign fault and maximize the recoverable damages.
About Electric Bicycle Accidents in Nevada
The rise in popularity of the electric bicycle in Nevada has led to a corresponding spike in the number of emergency department visits by e-bike users. Due to a lack of protection, electric bicycle accidents involving rented RTC bikes can easily be catastrophic or fatal.
Common causes of e-bike accidents include driver mistakes, inattention or distraction, failure to notice e-bikes, failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections, product defects, road hazards, and dooring. In an effort to make electric bicycles safer for riders and the public, Nevada and Clark County have passed certain regulations, including mandatory equipment, speed limits and helmet requirements for those under 18.
Motor Vehicle Driver Liability for RTC E-Bike Accidents
Nevada is a fault-based car accident state, meaning the driver or person responsible for causing an accident is held responsible for paying for the crash. Your medical bills and other losses, such as lost wages and property damage, will be covered by the at-fault person or party. Oftentimes, the liable party is another road user or motorist. Someone driving a car, truck, bus or another vehicle could be negligent, meaning they fall short of the duty of care. Examples include speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving. When negligence causes or contributes to an RTC bicycle accident, the driver’s automobile insurance is the primary source of coverage and financial compensation.
The Regional Transportation Commission
E-bikes offered by the RTC in Nevada can travel up to 17 miles per hour. If a rider gets into an accident, he or she could suffer significant physical injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and road rash. The RTC is responsible for ensuring the safety of its rentable electric bicycles. As the governing body in charge of the rentable electric bicycles, the Regional Transportation Commission has a responsibility to properly maintain its rentable bikes, including inspecting them regularly and ensuring safety compliance in alignment with state and local laws.
If the RTC is negligent or fails to uphold its duty of care in terms of shareable e-bike safety, it could be held accountable for a related accident. If the electric bicycle experiences an equipment breakdown that throws the rider from the saddle, for example, the RTC can absorb liability for the victim’s injuries.
Other Liable Parties
Several other parties could be held liable for an RTC bicycle sharing accident depending on the cause of the crash. If a roadway in Las Vegas contained a dangerous defect, for example, the government could be found responsible. Another possibility is the manufacturer of the e-bike if one of its parts contained a defect. The injured rider could also face comparative fault if he or she contributed to the crash. It is important to identify all of the parties you can hold liable for your RTC bicycle sharing accident in Nevada. You can increase your financial recovery by identifying all potential sources of insurance coverage. For an in-depth investigation of your recent e-bicycle accident, contact Koch & Brim, LLP to request a free consultation with an experienced injury lawyer in Las Vegas.