Recent South Florida Electric Vehicle Deaths Raise Safety and Legal Concerns

South Florida has seen a troubling rise in fatal accidents involving electric bikes, scooters, and dirt bikes, raising serious questions about roadway safety, liability, and the regulation of these increasingly popular vehicles. In just the past two weeks, multiple lives have been lost in crashes tied to electric vehicles, with one tragedy striking the Rickenbacker Causeway and another unfolding on Interstate 195.

These crashes come as municipalities like Key Biscayne weigh whether to lift bans on certain electric vehicles, bans initially put in place after a 2023 fatal collision between a bicyclist and a child riding an e-bike. The recent surge in fatalities underscores the difficult balance between accessibility and safety.

Recent Crashes Involving Electric Vehicles in South Florida

• August 19, 2025 – I-195 Crash: Around 3 a.m., two people riding on an electric bicycle were struck by a car. One person died, and the other remains in critical condition.
• August 15, 2025 – Rickenbacker Causeway Crash: A 14-year-old riding an electric dirt bike collided with a bicyclist, killing 54-year-old Fabian Moses. Police say charges are pending against the teen rider.
• August 6, 2025 – Miami Beach Crash: The operator of an electric scooter was struck and killed by a car at 11th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
• January 13, 2025 – Miami Crash: Two teenagers riding an e-bike were struck by a vehicle near Northwest 11th Avenue and 2nd Street, highlighting the risks these vehicles pose for younger riders.

Each of these tragedies reveals the vulnerabilities of riders on small electric vehicles when sharing busy roads with cars and trucks traveling at high speeds.

Liability Issues in Electric Vehicle Crashes

Under Florida law, liability for crashes involving electric vehicles often depends on the circumstances and the parties involved:

• Negligence of Other Drivers: If a motorist strikes an e-bike or scooter rider due to speeding, distracted driving, or failure to yield, the injured party (or surviving family members) may pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
• Negligence of Electric Vehicle Riders: In cases where riders disregard traffic laws, such as riding recklessly, ignoring signals, or operating vehicles in prohibited areas, they and their guardians (in the case of minors) may bear responsibility.
• Parental Responsibility for Minors: When children or teens cause harm while operating electric bikes or dirt bikes, their parents may face civil liability under Florida statutes that hold parents accountable for a minor’s negligence.
• Municipal and Policy Considerations: Cities and counties that fail to enforce safety regulations or allow unsafe roadway conditions may also face legal scrutiny, depending on the facts.

Wrongful Death Claims After Electric Vehicle Fatalities

Families who lose loved ones in these crashes may pursue wrongful death claims under Florida Statutes § 768.21, which allow for compensation such as:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills between the time of injury and death
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Lost future income and support

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we understand the devastation caused by these preventable accidents. Our attorneys help victims and families by:

• Investigating the crash thoroughly, including driver negligence, vehicle defects, and roadway conditions
• Determining liability when minors or businesses are involved
• Pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and wrongful death damages
• Advocating for safer roads and accountability to prevent future tragedies

If you or a loved one was injured—or if you lost someone—in an electric vehicle crash, you may be entitled to justice through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.