The best way to zoom around the traffic-congested streets here in Philadelphia is on a bike. Not only will you be saving money on gas, but it’s good for the environment! That’s one of the reasons why Philly has introduced a bike sharing program.
Since 2015, hundreds of the Indego bikes are stationed across the city and are available 24/7. Using the bikes are simple – you use the touchscreen kiosk which provides a map of the service area and a docking system. After entering a credit card at the booth or using the app, the docking station will release the bike, and you can zoom around the city at ease.
But what if you get into an accident on your rental bike? Who could be held responsible for your injuries?
Bike Sharing Accidents in Philly: Are You Responsible?
Let’s say you’re riding along on your Indego bike and you get hit from behind by a vehicle. You’re severely injured, and the bike is in pieces. What happens now?
According to Indego’s website, you need to report the accident just like you would do if it’s a bike or car accident. You also need to contact Indego within 24 hours after the incident. But since the bike was damaged under your care, your insurance or the other driver’s insurance may be responsible for the damage.
But what if there was an issue with the bike itself? Let’s change the scenario a little bit. Instead of being hit by a car, a tire flies off the bike. You tumble off the bike and break your leg? Are you still responsible?
Defected Bike Rentals and Your Legal Options
It is the responsibility of the bike sharing program – whether it’s Indego or Citibike in New York – to keep the bikes in good working order. Of course, with so many people using these bikes, wear and tear can occur. It is up to the consumer to inform the bike sharing system about damaged bikes. But if there’s a defect with the bike, the responsibility lies with the owner of the Indego system.
According to product liability law, the owner of the product is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and inspection of the bikes. But to prove your claim, you need to determine the following conditions:
- The bike had an “unreasonably dangerous” defect that had caused your injuries, such as a mechanical error
- The mistake was the result of the bike’s design, an issue in its creation or during the shipping of the product
But if you do have an accident with an Indego bike, your first step is to speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer who can assist in your claim.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli Can Help
If you received an injury following a bike sharing accident, you could receive compensation, such as lost wages and medical bills. But the time to act is now. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, we can help you with your claim and make sure you can receive the compensation that you deserve.
The time to act is now. Contact the bike sharing accident lawyers of Fellerman & Ciarimboli today for a free consultation.
