As e-bike use has grown, so have serious injuries. UCSF researchers found that ER visits connected to e-bike accidents shot up from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022. With this huge increase, more riders are facing stress, confusion, and unexpected medical bills after a crash.
When you’re hurt in one of these crashes, filing a police report after an e-bike accident can make all the difference. It locks in key details while memories are fresh and documents how each party describe what happened. Without a police report, insurers are far more likely to question your claim or try to blame you for the crash.
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Key Takeaways:
- In many situations, you can file a police report after an e-bike accident.
- Filing one right away protects your story, your injuries, and your claim.
- It creates crucial proof that insurance companies rely on when deciding fault.
- You can still file a report even if police don’t respond to the scene.
The Importance of Reporting Your E-Bike Accident
After an e-bike crash, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next. But one step can protect your health, your story, and your entire injury claim: filing a police report. This report creates an official record right away, before memories fade or anyone changes their story.
In many situations, you can file a police report after e-bike accident in California. Even if your injuries seem minor, symptoms like pain, dizziness, or stiffness often appear hours or days later. Without a report, insurance companies may question whether your injuries came from the accident at all.
- Filing a police report is especially important if:
- You were hit by a car
- The driver fled the scene
- You feel any pain or discomfort
- Your e-bike or personal items were damaged
- The driver refuses to share insurance information
This single step protects you if the driver denies the crash, blames you, or gives a different story to their insurance company. Reporting the accident as soon as possible keeps your legal options open and strengthens your future claim.
Recommended Reading: California’s New E-Bike Laws for 2025: What Riders Need to Know
How a Police Report Helps Your Injury Claim
A police report can make a major difference in your case. Insurance companies often rely heavily on police reports to evaluate what happened and who they believe may be at fault. Without one, the other driver can deny responsibility, or the insurer may claim there isn’t enough proof to support your injuries.
A police report is helpful because it includes key information that strengthens your claim, such as:
Your Statement and the Driver’s Statement
Witness Names and Contact Details
Notes or Photos Showing Damage and Injuries
A Diagram of How the Crash Happened
Road or Traffic Conditions at the Time
These details are hard to collect on your own during a stressful crash, but they become powerful evidence later. In short, a police report protects your story, making it more difficult to change your story later, and gives your attorney what they need to fight for fair compensation.
Injured on an E-Bike? Talk to a Lawyer Now
Steps to File a Police Report After an E-Bike Accident
Every crash has two sides, but only one of them tells your story. Filing a police report helps make sure your voice is heard. It puts responsibility where it belongs and keeps others from changing their story.
- Here's how to file a police report after an e-bike accident:
- Call 911 if you are injured or if the scene is dangerous. Your safety comes first.
- Use the non-emergency line if your injuries seem minor but you still want an officer to respond.
- Explain the details, how the crash happened, where it occurred, and who was involved.
- If officers cannot come, file a report online through your local police department. Most California cities offer this option.
- Ask for the report number, so you can request the final copy once it’s ready.
A police report is one of the strongest tools you have when proving what happened.
What to Do If Police Won’t Come to the Scene
Sometimes officers can’t respond to an e-bike accident, especially if the injuries seem minor or the scene is busy. But that doesn’t mean you lose your chance to protect yourself. You can still gather strong evidence on your own and file a police report later.
- Here's what to do:
- Take photos and videos of the crash scene, your injuries, and all damage.
- Get the driver’s name, plate number, and insurance information right away.
- Talk to witnesses and save their contact information before they leave.
- Keep your damaged e-bike as it is. Don’t repair or throw anything away.
- File a police report online or in person as soon as possible. Most cities in California, including Los Angeles and Huntington Beach, allow you to file a report on the police department’s website or at a local station if an officer didn’t respond.
Even without an officer at the scene, these steps help document what happened and protect your injury claim if the driver denies fault or the insurance company questions your story.
When to Call a Personal Injury Attorney After an E-Bike Accident
If you’re confused about your rights after an e-bike accident, you’re not alone. Many riders have no idea what to do next. An e-bike accident lawyer can explain your options, walk you through the process, and give you the answers you need.
- An e-bike accident lawyer can help you:
- Preserve important evidence before it disappears
- Challenge unfair fault decisions or false accusations
- Handle all communication with insurance companies
- Fight to recover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages
And the best part? You can talk to an e-bike accident lawyer for free, and you pay nothing unless your case is won. Getting help early can make a big difference in your recovery and your claim.
Common Questions About Police Reports After E-Bike Accidents
Do I Need A Police Report To File An Insurance Claim?
Not always, but it makes your claim much stronger. A police report gives insurers official proof of what happened, which makes it harder for them to deny, delay, or minimize your injuries.
How Long Do I Have To File A Police Report In California?
It’s best to file it as soon as possible, ideally the same day. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the crash, your injuries, and who was involved.
What If The Other Driver Leaves The Scene?
Call 911 right away. Hit-and-run accidents should always be reported, and the police report can help identify the driver or support an uninsured motorist claim.
Can I File A Report If Police Didn’t Respond?
Yes. If officers can’t come to the scene, you can file a report online or by visiting your local police station. It still creates an important record of the accident.
Will Filing A Report Affect My Insurance Rates?
Not necessarily. Reporting the crash doesn’t automatically raise your rates. In fact, having a police report protects you if the other driver tries to blame you later.
What If The Police Report Is Wrong?
You can request a correction or file a supplemental statement with the department. Providing photos, witness statements, or medical records can help fix errors.
What If The E-Bike Was Defective?
A police report helps document the problem and may support a product liability claim. It also creates a clear record in case the manufacturer needs to be held responsible.
Ready to Start Your Claim? We’re Here to Help
After an e-bike crash, the stress can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it by yourself.
Our Los Angeles e-bike accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting riders hurt by reckless drivers, unsafe streets, or faulty e-bikes. We fight to get victims the medical care, financial support, and justice they deserve.
You focus on healing. We’ll take it from here. Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers for a free consultation today!
SHERIF EDMOND EL DABE
Founder / Partner / Attorney
Sherif Edmond El Dabe, founding partner of El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles and Huntington Beach, is a seasoned trial attorney focused on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith cases. He has recovered over $224 million for clients and spoken at leading legal conferences, including CAALA and TBI Med Legal.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.