Teen Killed While Riding E-Bike in Atlantic County
Electric bikes have been all the rage in recent years. E-bikes offer a range of benefits including improved fitness, enhanced mental well-being, and cost-effective transportation. They can make cycling more accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. But they are also much smaller than passenger vehicles, so accidents are very common.
Sometimes they are even deadly. Sadly, this was recently the case in Atlantic County. A teen boy from Egg Harbor Township was killed in a crash while riding his e-bike. The fatal accident occurred on the evening of July 17.
The boy was riding his e-bike on Maryland Avenue. He was near the area where it intersects with a bike path when he collided with a car. The bike rider was taken to Atlantic Care Trauma. He was then airlifted to Cooper Trauma, where he later died.
The driver of the car was a 47-year-old woman from Philadelphia. She had three children in the vehicle with her. None were injured.
Police arrived at the accident scene to investigate and said speed and alcohol are not factors in the crash. The accident is still under investigation.
E-bike accidents are becoming more common in New Jersey. Several months ago, there was a serious crash involving an e-bike and a car in Gloucester Township. The accident happened at the intersection of Lower Landing Road and Black Horse Pike, where the e-bike had been traveling on the sidewalk. It then entered an intersection, where it collided with a sedan. The e-bike rider was ejected and suffered serious injuries.
Dangers of E-Bikes Among Children
While e-bikes offer convenience and fun, they pose serious safety risks for children and young teens, especially when used improperly or without proper supervision. Some things to be aware of include:
- High speeds. Many e-bikes can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour or more, which is far faster than traditional bikes. At those speeds, children may lose control more easily and struggle to stop in time. This also results in higher impact in the event of a crash, resulting in more severe injuries.
- Lack of experience. Children often lack the judgment and skills needed to handle a fast-moving e-bike safely, especially when it comes to navigating traffic and judging distances. It may also be difficult for them to quickly react to hazards like potholes or pedestrians.
- Increased injury risk. Emergency rooms are seeing a sharp rise in e-bike injuries among children. Common injuries include head trauma (especially without helmets), broken bones, road rash, lacerations, and internal injuries from high-impact crashes.
- Traffic accidents. Kids on e-bikes may ride in unsafe areas (like busy roads or sidewalks) without understanding traffic laws, making them vulnerable to collisions with cars, pedestrians, or other cyclists.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Bicycle accidents can be serious or even fatal in nature. Unfortunately, children are often victims.
A Morristown bicycle accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can assist you with your case. We understand that bike riders are often put in dangerous situations. We can help you get full and fair compensation for your damages. Schedule a consultation today by calling (973) 455-1567 or filling out the online form.
Source:
nj1015.com/electric-bike-fatality-somers-point/
