Manhattan has become the e-bike capital of America, with an estimated 65,000 delivery workers navigating crowded streets daily to bring New Yorkers their meals and packages. But in 2025, e-bike accidents have reached crisis levels: more than 3 out of every 4 cyclist deaths in recent years involved e-bikes, and e-bike collisions increased over 11% from last year.
If you’re a delivery worker who was injured on an e-bike or electric scooter—whether delivering for Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, or any delivery platform or restaurant—you have legal rights, even if your app says you’re an “independent contractor.” This guide explains how to get the compensation you deserve.
The E-Bike Crisis in Manhattan: Why Delivery Workers Are Dying
Manhattan’s streets weren’t designed for 65,000 e-bikes mixing with cars, trucks, buses, and pedestrians. The result has been catastrophic for delivery workers:
The Statistics Are Alarming
- 638 people injured in e-bike crashes in 2024 across NYC
- 17 people killed in e-bike accidents in 2024
- 23 of 30 recent cyclist deaths involved e-bikes (77%)
- E-bike collisions up 11% in 2025 compared to 2024
- 19 delivery workers died on the job in 2021-2022
Most victims are young men between 18-40, many recent immigrants working multiple delivery jobs to support families.
Why Manhattan Is So Dangerous for E-Bike Delivery Workers
1. Time Pressure Equals Risk Delivery apps pressure workers to complete orders fast. The more deliveries you complete, the more money you earn. This creates impossible pressure:
- Racing through red lights to make time
- Riding on sidewalks to avoid traffic
- Taking dangerous shortcuts
- Not stopping to check intersections
- Ignoring traffic laws to complete more orders
2. Cheap, Dangerous E-Bikes Most delivery workers can’t afford expensive e-bikes with quality brakes, lights, and safety features. Instead, they buy cheap e-bikes that:
- Have throttles that reach over 25 mph (illegal and dangerous)
- Use unsafe batteries that can catch fire
- Have poor brakes that don’t stop quickly
- Lack proper lights for night riding
- Break down frequently, creating accident risks
3. No Protected Bike Lanes While Manhattan has added protected bike lanes on some avenues (Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth Avenues), most delivery routes involve:
- Streets with no bike lanes at all
- Bike lanes blocked by delivery trucks, Ubers, and double-parked cars
- “Painted” bike lanes that offer zero protection from vehicles
- Dangerous intersections where cars turn across bike lanes
When bike lanes are blocked, delivery workers must choose: ride in traffic with cars and trucks (terrifying and dangerous) or ride on sidewalks (illegal but faster and less risk of getting hit by a car).
4. Hostile Drivers Manhattan drivers show little patience for e-bike delivery workers:
- Yelling at workers to get out of the way
- Honking aggressively
- Cutting off e-bikes to make turns
- Opening car doors without checking for bikes (“dooring”)
- Deliberately blocking bike lanes
- Hitting e-bikes and driving away
Many drivers see delivery workers as obstacles rather than human beings trying to earn a living.
Manhattan’s Most Dangerous Areas for E-Bike Delivery Workers
If you deliver food or packages in these areas, be extra careful:
Midtown (34th to 59th Street) The highest concentration of restaurants and deliveries means constant e-bike traffic. Times Square area, Herald Square, and streets around Madison Square Garden are extremely dangerous. Tourists stepping into bike lanes, buses making sudden stops, and aggressive taxi drivers create non-stop hazards.
East Village and Lower East Side Narrow streets, heavy nightlife traffic, and drunk pedestrians make these neighborhoods deadly for e-bike workers. First Avenue and Second Avenue see constant accidents involving delivery workers.
Upper West Side (Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues) These avenues have bike lanes, but they’re constantly blocked by delivery trucks. E-bike workers must swerve into traffic to avoid obstacles, leading to collisions with cars.
Financial District During rush hours, narrow streets pack with commuters, trucks, and aggressive drivers. William Street, Nassau Street, and streets around Wall Street are particularly dangerous.
Harlem (125th Street and Broadway) Wide streets encourage speeding. Drivers run red lights frequently, striking e-bike workers crossing intersections.
Hypothetical Manhattan E-Bike Delivery Worker Accidents
Pedestrian Collision Imagine a man on his e-bike, as is common in the City, delivering food when he collides with a pedestrian. The impact throws him from his e-bike, and he hits his head on the curb. Despite the immediate medical attention, the e-biker passes away.
The man’s family has legal rights. As a DoorDash driver labeled “independent contractor,” they thought he had no insurance coverage. Wrong. His family can still recover from such a horrific loss.
Dooring Problems Imagine another delivery worker for Uber Eats riding in the bike lane when a parked car’s door suddenly opened. Hypothetically, he crashed into the door at 20 mph, suffering:
- Fractured collarbone
- Broken wrist
- Facial injuries requiring plastic surgery
- Concussion
This common issue can lead to a recovery that covers your medical bills and your pain and suffering.
Your Legal Rights as a Manhattan E-Bike Delivery Worker
Myth #1: “I’m an Independent Contractor, So I Have No Rights”
WRONG. Delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub call you an “independent contractor” to avoid paying benefits. But this doesn’t mean you have zero legal rights after accidents.
You can file claims through:
A. Delivery App Insurance (If Available)
- DoorDash: Offers occupational accident insurance covering medical expenses and disability payments if injured while on active delivery
- Uber Eats: Provides injury protection up to $1 million if injured during delivery
- Grubhub/Seamless: Limited or no coverage
Many delivery workers don’t know these policies exist or how to access them. Apps make filing claims difficult on purpose.
B. Workers’ Compensation Even as “independent contractor,” you may qualify for workers’ comp if:
- You work primarily for one restaurant
- The restaurant controls your schedule or routes
- You’re economically dependent on that work
We can help you evaluate whether you’re entitled to workers’ compensation, even if you were misclassified as an independent contractor.
C. Personal Injury Claims If another driver caused your accident, you can sue them regardless of employment status:
- Car hit your e-bike → Sue driver and car owner
- Truck doored you → Sue truck company
- Pedestrian stepped in front of you → Complicated, but possible claims exist
- Hit-and-run → File MVAIC and uninsured motorist claims
Myth #2: “I’m Undocumented, So I Can’t File Claims”
WRONG. Your immigration status is completely irrelevant to injury claims:
- Personal injury law and immigration law are separate
- Claims won’t affect immigration applications
- You cannot be deported for filing injury claims
- We’ve helped thousands of undocumented clients
Myth #3: “The Accident Was My Fault, So I Can’t Get Compensation”
Not entirely true. Even if you were partly at fault:
- New York uses “comparative negligence” rules
- If you were 30% at fault and other driver 70% at fault, you can recover 70% of damage award
- No-fault insurance pays regardless of fault
- Workers’ compensation pays regardless of fault
Only if you were 100% at fault (rare) would you have no claim against others.
Myth #4: “I Don’t Have Money for a Lawyer”
Not a problem. Personal injury lawyers work on contingency:
- No fees unless we win
- No upfront costs
- No hourly billing
- We only get paid from your settlement
- If we don’t recover money, you owe us nothing
Free consultation means exactly that—no cost to learn your rights.
What Compensation Can E-Bike Delivery Workers Recover?
Depending on your situation, you may recover:
Medical Expenses
- Emergency room treatment
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medications and medical equipment
- Future medical care for permanent injuries
- Dental work if teeth damaged
- Plastic surgery for facial scars
Lost Wages
- All income lost while unable to work
- This includes lost delivery earnings (even cash tips)
- If permanently disabled: future lost earning capacity
- Even informal income can be documented and recovered
Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
- Depression and anxiety
- Inability to enjoy life
- Permanent scarring or disability
- Loss of quality of life
Property Damage
- Replacement or repair of e-bike
- Damaged phone, delivery bags, other equipment
- Clothing and personal items destroyed in crash
What to Do Immediately After an E-Bike Accident in Manhattan
At the Scene:
1. Call 911 Always get police and ambulance, even if injuries seem minor. You need:
- Police report (critical for insurance claims)
- Medical documentation linking injuries to accident
- Official record of what happened
2. Take Photos If Possible
- All vehicles involved
- Your e-bike damage
- The exact location
- Your injuries
- Other driver’s license and insurance card
3. Get Witness Information Manhattan streets are packed with people. Find anyone who saw the accident.
4. Don’t Leave the Scene Even if the other driver tries to settle with cash: “I’ll give you $500 right now if you don’t call police.” Never accept. Your injuries may be more serious than you realize, and $500 won’t cover surgery or weeks of lost work.
Within 24 Hours:
5. Go to Hospital Tell doctors: “I was hit while working” or “I crashed my e-bike during delivery.” This connects injuries to work.
6. Report to Your Delivery App If you were on active delivery when injured:
- DoorDash: Call support, report accident immediately
- Uber Eats: Report in app under “Help”
- Grubhub: Call driver support line
Apps require quick reporting to provide insurance coverage.
7. Contact a Lawyer Don’t try to handle claims alone. Delivery apps and insurance companies will:
- Deny you were on active delivery
- Claim you weren’t following rules
- Offer tiny settlements
- Use language barriers against you
Common Insurance Company Tactics Against Delivery Workers
Tactic #1: “You Weren’t on Active Delivery” Apps claim you weren’t on Active Delivery between pickup and dropoff, so insurance doesn’t apply. Reality: If you were heading to a restaurant, waiting for orders, or returning from delivery, you may still have coverage. Lawyers know how to prove work connection.
Tactic #2: “You Violated Traffic Laws” Insurance points to jaywalking, red light violations, or sidewalk riding to deny claims. Reality: Even if you violated traffic laws, you can still recover reduced compensation under comparative negligence rules.
Tactic #3: “E-Bikes Are Illegal” Insurance claims NYC e-bikes are illegal vehicles. Reality: E-bikes are legal in NYC as of 2020. Insurance companies use outdated information hoping you don’t know better.
Tactic #4: “You’re Independent Contractor With No Rights” Apps hide behind contractor classification. Reality: Independent contractors can still sue negligent drivers, file MVAIC claims, potentially qualify for workers’ comp, and access app insurance when available.
Tactic #5: “Your Injuries Aren’t Serious” Insurance tries to minimize your injuries to pay less. Reality: E-bike crashes often cause serious injuries: broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, permanent scarring. Proper medical documentation proves injury severity.
New 2025 Manhattan E-Bike Laws You Should Know
15 MPH Speed Limit (Effective October 2025) Manhattan now enforces 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes citywide. Violations can result in:
- $50 fine for first offense (warning)
- $100 fine for subsequent offenses
Why this matters for injury claims: Insurance companies will use speed limit violations to argue you caused your own accident. However, even if you were speeding, you can still recover compensation if another driver was negligent.
UL-Certified Battery Requirement All e-bike batteries must be UL-certified (tested for safety). Uncertified batteries are illegal and can be confiscated.
Why this matters: If you’re injured because your e-bike had defective brakes or battery, you may have product liability claims against the manufacturer or seller.
Special Rights for Restaurant Delivery Workers (Not Just Apps)
If you’re a restaurant delivery worker:
- You’re more likely to be considered an “employee” (not independent contractor)
- You have stronger workers’ compensation rights
- Restaurant owner’s insurance may cover your accidents
- You may have claims even without formal employment paperwork
Many restaurant owners pay cash and don’t provide insurance. This doesn’t eliminate your rights! It means the owner broke the law, and you deserve compensation.
How the Law Office of Steven Louros Protects Manhattan Delivery Workers
For over 50 years, we’ve fought for working people injured on the job. We understand Manhattan delivery workers because:
We speak your language: Chinese (中文), Korean (한국어), Spanish (Español), English We know the apps: Experience with Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Seamless, Postmates insurance policies We know restaurants: Handled hundreds of cases for restaurant delivery workers We protect immigrants: Thousands of successful cases for undocumented workers We work on contingency: No fees unless we win
We handle:
- Dealing with delivery apps that deny coverage
- Filing workers’ compensation claims
- Suing negligent drivers who hit you
- Hit-and-run MVAIC claims
- Uninsured motorist claims
- Product liability for defective e-bikes
- No-fault insurance claims
- Documenting cash income and tips
- Fighting insurance company denials
Our results:
- Over $500 million recovered for injured New Yorkers
- Successful cases against all major delivery apps
- Compensation for undocumented delivery workers
- Workers’ comp benefits for “independent contractors”
Don’t Wait—Your Rights Have Deadlines
If you were injured delivering food or packages in Manhattan:
- App insurance: Report immediately
- Workers’ compensation: 30 days to report
- Personal injury claims: 1-3 years from accident (1 year, 90 days if filing suit against a municipal defendant. Otherwise, generally 3 years.)
- No-fault insurance: 30 days to file
- MVAIC (hit-and-run): 90 days to file (90 days for hit-and-run accidents and 180 days for accidents involving an identified uninsured driver. In both cases, the accident must also be reported to the police within 24 hours. For no-fault benefits, a separate application must be filed within 30 days.)
- Municipal Notice of Claim: 90 days to file if against a municipal entity.
Free Consultation in Your Language: (212) 481-5275
No fees unless we win. No upfront costs.
You risk your life every day to deliver food to Manhattan. When accidents happen, you deserve full compensation—not excuses from apps that call you “contractors” to avoid paying benefits.
Call today. Your work matters. Your injuries matter. Your rights matter.
