GoFundMe Created to Help Support Michael Ellis and Nolan Ellis After E-Bicycle Crash With Pickup Truck
OAK BLUFFS, MASSACHUSETTS (July 22, 2026) – A father and son identified as Michael Ellis and Nolan Ellis were critically injured in an Oak Bluffs truck accident along Seaview Avenue.
Dukes County officials are saying that the incident took place around 8:00 p.m. on July 9. Michael Ellis and Nolan Ellis were riding on an electric bicycle together along the bicycle lane of Seaview Avenue.
The driver of a pickup truck collided with them as it turned into a Nomans restaurant parking lot. Paramedics were called to the scene of the crash to help treat the victims.
They were transported to the hospital in critical condition. Both Michael Ellis and Nolan Ellis were placed in medically induced comas after each sustained major head trauma and other severe injuries.
You can help support the victims through GoFundMe. According to the online fundraiser, “My name is Dolores Borza, and I am Nolan’s grandmother. I am creating this fundraiser on behalf of Michael, Brenna, Nolan, Bryan, and Nathaniel Ellis. Our family has been forever changed by this tragic accident, and watching my son and grandson fight through these devastating injuries has been heartbreaking. I wanted to do something to help ease the financial burden so they can focus on what matters most—their healing.”
DiBella Law remains committed to improving public safety and increasing transparency through our Free Police Report program. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident that required a police response, we can help you get a copy of the police report created at no cost or obligation to you.
Liability for Oak Bluffs Car Accidents
Every person operating a motor vehicle in the state of Massachusetts must exercise reasonable care to avoid preventable collisions. Drivers must be particularly cautious when they’re initiating turns. According to M.G.L. c. 90, § 14, “When turning to the right, an operator shall do so in the lane of traffic nearest to the right-hand side of the roadway and as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway. No person operating a vehicle that overtakes and passes a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall make a right turn at an intersection or driveway unless the turn can be made at a safe distance from the bicyclist at a speed that is reasonable and proper.” Drivers should take several actions to avoid collisions with cyclists.
- Horn: Drivers may need to occasionally use their horn to alert cyclists of their presence.
- Blind Spots: Drivers should check their blind spots before initiating any turn into a parking lot.
- Distance: Drivers should maintain at least 3 feet of distance from any bicyclist traveling in a bicycle lane.
- Traffic Signals: Drivers should use their turn signals to alert bicyclists of their intentions.
If a driver turns in the path of a cyclist or other vehicle, this could be used to form the basis of a negligence claim. Drivers are expected to yield the right of way to any vehicle that is close enough to be a hazard before initiating a turn. Bicyclists and vehicles cannot stop on a dime when someone moves into the lane of travel. It is possible that there may be several liable parties for any car accident in Massachusetts. This includes the owner of any vehicle involved in a crash if that person lawfully loaned their vehicle. Certain vehicles, such as pickup trucks and vans, are used for business purposes. A business could be liable for the negligent actions of any person operating their vehicle if that vehicle was being used for some type of commercial purpose at the time of a crash.
Steps to Take After Massachusetts E-Bike Collisions
Bicyclists lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are particularly vulnerable to being seriously injured in the event of a crash. There’s been a sharp rise in the number of e-bicycle accidents as the devices have become more popular over the years. According to the American College of Surgeons, “More than 1.1 million electric bicycles were sold in the United States in 2022 with a projected annual growth rate of 10%. Over 20,000 people are injured while riding electric bicycles annually with approximately 3,000 individuals requiring hospitalization, and this is likely underreported.” Victims of e-bike collisions should take several measures to protect their health and legal rights.
- Medical Treatment: It’s important to seek medical treatment as early as possible. Many of the injuries associated with a crash may not be obvious and can only be detected by a careful medical evaluation.
- Insurance Information: The insurance information of the at-fault driver should be collected.
- Surveillance Footage: Many private businesses have surveillance cameras that oversee their parking lot. Any potential footage of the crash should be sought. This evidence might become unavailable, depending on how long a person waits to retrieve it.
- Legal Review: For any person injured in an e-bike accident, it’s always worth considering what legal options are available. Generally speaking, any person injured due to the negligence of another driver is able to pursue some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Being involved in a car accident is often one of the most traumatic and harmful experiences that most people will go through in their lives. Affected parties may need to take extensive periods of time away from work. They may also be burdened with high medical bills. To make matters worse, insurance providers are more interested in protecting their own profits than they are in helping people recover after a crash. Victims of car accidents are entitled to numerous benefits for their injuries through a civil claim. A civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Investigating Massachusetts E-Bike Collisions
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to Michael Ellis and Nolan Ellis as they continue to recover. Any person who may have more information about what happened is encouraged to reach out to the police. This was a highly preventable crash that should never have taken place. Many questions have yet to be answered.
Do you need more information about a Massachusetts car accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to support you. We are committed to getting people the medical and financial assistance that they need to move forward with their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (855) 342-3552.