$275,000 Settlement for E-Bike Accident Resulting in a Head Injury

Samer Habbas & Associates secured a $275,000 settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a head injury after an e-bike accident in Redondo Beach, California.

The case involved a dangerous condition in a public bike lane and presented a significant challenge because our client was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

E-Bike Rider Thrown From Bike on Uneven Redondo Beach Roadway

Our client was riding his e-bike westbound in the designated bike lane on Beryl Street in Redondo Beach when he encountered an uneven and deteriorated section of pavement. The bike suddenly flipped, throwing him over the handlebars and onto the roadway.

The condition of the bike lane was attributed to raised, depressed, and fragmented asphalt associated with tree-root intrusion. Records obtained during the case showed a history of pavement defects and repairs along the same block.

Our client suffered a head injury and required emergency medical treatment following the accident.

Helmet Use Becomes a Significant Issue in the Case

One of the primary challenges was that our client was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred.

Because the claim involved a head injury, the defense had a significant argument that wearing a helmet could have reduced the severity of the injury. This created an important comparative-fault and damages issue and became a major factor in evaluating the claim.

Samer Habbas & Associates focused on what caused the accident itself: the dangerous condition of the bike lane.

Evidence developed during the case showed that pavement defects had previously been identified in the area, including documented vertical faults requiring repairs near the location of the accident.

Establishing Liability for a Dangerous Bike Lane

Claims involving dangerous public property can be difficult because establishing liability against a government entity requires evidence concerning the condition of the property and the entity’s knowledge of the hazard.

The legal team investigated the history of the roadway and uncovered records concerning prior pavement defects and repairs in the area. This evidence helped establish the dangerous condition that caused our client’s e-bike to flip, while the defense continued to raise his lack of a helmet as an issue concerning the extent of his injuries.

Despite these challenges, Samer Habbas & Associates secured a $275,000 settlement for the client.

The result demonstrates that an injured e-bike rider may still have a viable claim when a dangerous roadway contributes to an accident, even when the rider’s own conduct becomes an issue in determining damages.

If you were injured in an e-bike or bicycle accident involving a dangerous roadway or bike lane, contact Samer Habbas & Associates to learn more about your legal options.

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