DOES INSURANCE COVER ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR ON CITI BIKES?
Cycling is nothing new to the people of New York City, but bicycle-sharing companies have become more popular in recent years. Citi Bike is one such company that provides millions of people in the New York boroughs with a convenient, reliable, and fun form of transportation on its now-iconic blue bikes.
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However, the growth of Citi Bike has posed some challenging legal issues involving personal injury claims. Particularly, many who use these devices are unsure how to go about getting their medical expenses and lost wages covered should they be injured. Below, we discuss more about these issues and how insurance may play a role in a variety of Citi Bike-related accidents.
Citi Bike Liability Waiver And Insurance Requirements
Not surprisingly, Citi Bike includes a liability waiver as part of the rental agreement for all individuals who choose to use the bike-sharing service. Essentially, this extensive contractual agreement limits the company’s own liability in the event of a Citi Bike accident. One such part of the liability agreement states:
“By choosing to ride a bicycle, you assume full and complete responsibility for all related foreseeable and unforeseeable risks, dangers, and hazards, and you agree that NYCBS, JCBS, and all other released persons are not responsible for any death, injury, damage, or cost caused by you with respect to any person or property, including the bicycle itself.
This means that those injured on Citi Bikes are responsible for injuries they sustain while riding, including medical expenses and lost wages. The company does not offer insurance as an add-on option, as rental car companies do, for instance. Additionally, riders are not required to buy a specific insurance policy to cover injuries and other damages they incur on a Citi Bike.
Potential Company Liability And Other Forms Of Insurance
With that said, there may be certain situations where an injured rider may be able to hold Citi BIke liable for their damages. Citi Bike as a company is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of its bikes.
If it can be proven that Citi Bike failed to uphold this legal duty, the company may be held liable for injuries the lack of maintenance directly caused an accident and subsequent injuries. This was the case in 2020, when Citi Bike acknowledged that some of its bikes were defective and recalled them due to e-bikes throwing operators over the handlebars when braking. Other examples of defective or malfunctioning bicycle parts may include:
- Faulty chains
- Faulty tires or tubes
- Pedals improperly attached
- Vandalized bicycles
- Defective handlebars
- Failure to meet safety standards
Lastly, there are some forms of insurance that you may be able to utilize, should you be injured by a Citi Bike due to rider negligence:
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Renter’s insurance
- The insurance company of the at-fault driver
We urge you to contact a NYC Citi Bike accident attorney who can review your case for free and determine what, if any, insurance options are available for your specific accident claim or whether Citi Bike holds any liability.
Contact A NYC Citi Bike Accident Attorney
Because companies like Citi Bike are fairly new, filing a successful claim for your injuries can be tricky. At Davidoff Law, our team of seasoned legal advocates is ready to assist you during these challenging times and hold any and all liable parties accountable for your Citi Bike accident. We will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of justice and compensation on your behalf.
