E-Bike and E-Scooter Malfunctions: When Software Glitches Put Riders at Risk

E-bikes and scooters are a common sight throughout Atlanta. While these bikes give you a new way to zip around town, there are serious risks that come with them. In addition to the potential for crashing due to human error, there have been cases where software glitches put riders at risk.

These e-mobility devices are powered by complex computer systems designed to assist with everything from acceleration to braking. While this technology is intended to help keep riders safe, things can go badly quickly during a malfunction.

If you have been hurt in an accident due to an e-bike software glitch, now is the right time to explore your legal options. The team at Mabra Law can review your case and work with experts to determine if a defect led to your accident. Reach out today to learn more.

How Software Glitches Happen

On the surface, e-bikes and e-scooters look uncomplicated. But under the surface, there is a complex system of computer chips, processors, and wiring that keeps these vehicles moving. The systems control every aspect of your ride, from GPS navigation to controlling your braking system. When something is not working as intended, the result can be a collision that leads to debilitating injuries. Some of the most common glitches include the following:

Unexpected Acceleration and Sudden Stops

One of the most alarming types of malfunctions involves sudden acceleration or braking. This is one of the most difficult glitches to deal with, as many riders are unprepared to respond to a sudden stop. Accelerating uncontrollably is also incredibly dangerous, especially if you are riding in heavy traffic. These errors are often tied to faulty firmware updates or calibration issues within the motor controller system.

Power Loss

Like with any motorized vehicle, the loss of power while riding an e-bike can quickly become a problem. Power loss can leave you unable to control your vehicle and bring it to a safe stop. You may also experience connection failures while riding, which can cause the motor to shut off unexpectedly. If you lose power just as you approach an intersection, you could be at the mercy of crossing traffic to avoid a crash.

GPS and Errors

Many of Atlanta’s shared micromobility systems rely on location-based software. This tells a scooter or bike where it is allowed to operate, causing it to shut down if it leaves that area. Unfortunately, glitches can cause an e-bike or e-scooter to believe it is out of its area, causing it to shut down while you are mid-ride.

Why Software Issues Are Hard to Detect

Software glitches in e-bikes and e-scooters are often invisible until it’s too late. These issues are much more difficult to spot than mechanical failures like loose handlebars or flat tires. There are no obvious physical signs that something is wrong, like unusual noises from the scooter. This can make it far more difficult to identify the root cause of the problem.

No Visual Clues or Warning Signs

The primary reason software problems go undetected is that they rarely give off any visible signs that something is wrong. A scooter may function perfectly for dozens of rides, only to suddenly accelerate, stop, or shut off at the worst possible moment. There’s nothing to suggest that a glitch is about to cause you to lose control of your bike or scooter and crash. What’s more, many users assume these accidents are the result of their own user errors or some kind of freak accident instead of investigating if a glitch happened.

Intermittent Failures Are Hard to Reproduce

Another complication is that software bugs are often intermittent. A single glitch may trigger under a very specific set of circumstances that leads to an unavoidable crash. These conditions are rarely replicated during post-accident inspections, which can make the error nearly impossible to identify without access to detailed digital logs or expert analysis. If a scooter functions properly after the crash, it may be difficult to convince insurers or manufacturers that anything went wrong in the first place.

Inaccessible Device Data

Most e-scooter and e-bike devices record internal data, but this information is typically stored by the manufacturer. It can be difficult for an operator injured in an accident to obtain that data in an effort to determine if they have a legal claim. Riders don’t own the devices or the software, meaning they can’t retrieve the logs without filing a lawsuit. Without this data, it’s difficult to demonstrate that a software malfunction occurred, let alone determine how it contributed to the crash.

App Updates Can Cover Up Issues

Glitches are software issues, and software can be rewritten. In fact, Fleet operators frequently push over-the-air software updates to address known bugs or performance issues in a matter of hours. These updates can change the internal programming of a device without the user ever knowing. If a glitch is quietly fixed after a crash, the update may erase the original code that caused the failure, eliminating the very evidence needed to prove a defect.

Misattribution of Fault

Because most riders are not software engineers, many don’t realize that what felt like a “weird” moment on the scooter might have been a code-level malfunction. A sudden stop might be blamed on an uneven sidewalk. An acceleration might be chalked up to user panic. Even the police may not assume that an accident had anything to do with the e-bike itself, especially if there are no visible signs of issues.

Limited Investigations

In some cases, companies operating shared fleets may not prioritize investigating suspected glitches. This is especially true if the cost of doing so outweighs the threat of legal action. Without public reporting requirements or independent oversight, many software-related failures go undocumented or are minimized in internal records. Riders who don’t retain legal counsel may find their claims dismissed or downplayed without ever learning that a known defect was involved.

Who is at Fault?

Not every fall from an e-scooter or e-bike involves a software glitch. In order for you to have a viable case for compensation, you will need to show that your accident would not have occurred if it were not for a digital defect in the bike.

Proving these cases can be tricky, as they often involve multiple parties. Under Georgia law, product manufacturers can be held strictly liable when a defect leads to a person’s injury. This is important because the strict liability standard means you can succeed with your claim without proving the manufacturer was negligent.

If a scooter or e-bike’s onboard software was poorly coded, improperly tested, or released with known bugs, the company that developed or distributed that software may be held responsible for resulting injuries. Similarly, if the glitch was introduced during a firmware update, the software developer or the fleet operator who deployed the update could be liable.

What’s more, companies are responsible not only for maintaining their devices but also for ensuring they are updated regularly. If a company fails to test an update adequately or ignores prior complaints from users about software issues, that pattern of negligence may open the door to liability. These operators also have a duty to remove malfunctioning devices from service promptly. When that duty is breached, and someone is injured as a result, the operator may share blame for a crash.

In some cases, the design or user interface of a companion mobile app may also be called into question. If the app used to unlock, accelerate, or control the device was poorly designed or gave conflicting signals to the device itself, the app developer could be held liable for contributing to the crash. Some riders may attempt to sue city governments for unsafe road conditions that worsened the effects of the malfunction, but such claims are more difficult due to sovereign immunity and the challenges of proving direct government involvement in the incident.

Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means an injured rider can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault. If a software glitch was the primary cause of the crash, but the rider was not wearing a helmet or was operating the device improperly, their compensation may be reduced accordingly. This makes it especially important to work with an attorney who can clearly establish the chain of causation and demonstrate that the malfunction was the true source of the harm.

Common E-Bike Injuries

The unfortunate reality is that there are many ways to get hurt while riding an e-bike or e-scooter. This is particularly true in cases where a software glitch causes you to lose control and crash. In situations where your own mistakes cause you to lose control, you are more likely to have the foresight to brace for impact or attempt to navigate away from traffic. That is not always the case when a software defect occurs.

Because of your inability to respond quickly to an unseen glitch, the risk of serious injuries is substantially higher. You are more likely to be struck by a moving vehicle or fall hard from the bike. Some of the injuries commonly linked to these accidents include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Cuts and bruises
• Internal bleeding
• Broken wrists or forearms
• Sprains and strains
• Road rash
• Eye injuries

If you have been hurt in an e-bike accident, it is worth discussing your options with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. A thorough investigation could turn up that your crash occurred due to an unforeseen glitch. Reach out today to learn more.

What to do After an E-Scooter Crash

Taking the right steps immediately following an e-bike crash can make a significant difference in your chances for compensation. Consider these steps:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health should be your top priority. Even if you feel okay, some injuries may not show symptoms right away. Visiting a doctor right after the crash creates medical documentation that can later serve as evidence if you file a claim.

Document the Scene

Having photographic evidence of the bike and the accident scene could be invaluable for your case. You should also photograph your injuries if they are visible, which can help build a trail of documentation that can strengthen your claim. If possible, record the device’s serial number or QR code.

Preserve Digital Evidence

It is a good idea to hold onto as much data as possible, so avoid deleting your companion app or ride history. You should also take screenshots of trip details and any post-ride surveys or crash reports you submitted to show your attorney. Every digital detail can matter in these cases, and it is vital that you preserve as much as you can.

Submit a Report

It is always a good idea to use the in-app reporting tool to notify the fleet manager of a crash. Keep your description brief, as anything that could be construed as an admission of fault could have devastating consequences for your case. Finally, maintain all correspondence to and from the company related to your accident, as it could be useful for your attorney in the future.

Take Down Witness Information

If anyone saw the crash happen, ask for their name and contact information. If your case goes to trial, testimony from independent witnesses who are not connected to either party can significantly affect the outcome.

Look for Cameras

It is possible that your accident was captured on video by a nearby surveillance camera. Scan the area and note the address of any visible cameras, as your lawyer might be able to secure a copy of the footage.

Talk to an Attorney

These cases often involve large companies and complex liability issues, especially when a software defect is involved. An experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney on our team can help you with every aspect of your claim.

Talk to Mabra Law Today About Your E-bike or E-scooter Accident

There are a few types of personal injury cases that are more complex than accidents involving a software glitch. While anyone can recognize when a driver runs a red light or a tire explodes, it can take the use of experts with deep scientific know-how to show that a software defect caused a crash. At Mabra Law, we have the resources to not only investigate your accident but also to maximize your chances of recovery. Call today for a free consultation.