Christiansen Trial Lawyers attorney Pete Christiansen recently appeared on News 3 Las Vegas to discuss the safety and legal responsibilities surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters, especially as families head out for Halloween activities.
During the segment, Pete explained why parents need to know exactly what they are buying for their children and how a crash involving one of these devices can lead to serious legal consequences for the whole family.
Know What You’re Buying: E-Bikes vs. Illegal Motorcycles
Not every electric two-wheeled vehicle is an e-bike. As Pete explained, there is a critical difference between a legitimate e-bike and a powerful device that is essentially a motorcycle.
A true e-bike typically has functional pedals and built-in speed limitations. Many of the high-powered devices sold online or in stores are very different. They may look like bicycles, but they operate like motorcycles, and children under 16 are prohibited from operating them.
Parents who assume a device is legal because it is sold as an “e-bike” may be taking on far more risk than they realize.
Safety Gear and Responsible Riding Come First
Pete emphasized that protective equipment should be a top priority for any child on an e-bike or e-scooter. Helmets and wrist braces can make a meaningful difference in reducing the severity of an injury.
Pete also pointed to riding behavior as a major concern. Children weaving in and out of traffic or attempting stunts like wheelies can quickly lose control, putting themselves and everyone around them in danger. With more kids and families out on streets and sidewalks on Halloween, the risk of a serious crash only increases.
Civil and Criminal Exposure for Parents
When a child causes an injury while riding a device a parent provided, the legal consequences can fall on the parent as well. Pete explained that parents may face significant civil and criminal exposure if a child hurts someone else.
- Insurance gaps: Powerful, unauthorized motorcycle-like devices are often excluded from homeowners’ insurance policies. A parent may assume they are covered, only to find out after a crash that the policy won’t respond.
- Civil liability: Injured victims may seek to hold the responsible parties accountable for medical bills, lost income and other damages.
- Criminal charges: Under Nevada’s involuntary manslaughter statute, a parent can face criminal charges if a child uses a motorcycle-like device the parent provided to seriously injure or kill someone.
A gift meant to give a child freedom could end up costing a family far more than the price tag.
Legal Help for Parents and Injury Victims
Because Christiansen Trial Lawyers handles both personal injury and criminal defense cases, Pete sees these situations from both sides.
Some parents come to the firm worried about their own liability after a child’s crash or a close call. Others are victims, or the families of victims, who want to understand who can be held accountable for their injuries, whether the crash involved a bicycle, a motorcycle-style device or a child injury. Either way, the right legal guidance early on can protect your rights and help you understand your options.
Protecting Your Family and Your Future
E-bike and e-scooter crashes can change lives in an instant. Whether you are a parent concerned about liability or someone injured in a crash involving one of these devices, you don’t have to sort through the legal issues alone.
At Christiansen Trial Lawyers, our attorneys bring decades of trial experience to personal injury and criminal defense matters throughout Las Vegas.
If you or a loved one has been affected by an e-bike or e-scooter crash, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Contact Christiansen Trial Lawyers today at (702) 357-9977 to discuss your case.