Motorcycle Recall and Defect Bikes
Injured by a Defective Motorcycle?
Motorcycle and automobile recalls are issued with surprising frequency. Some of these affect minor slices of the industry and very specific models, but some recalls have also involved a significant number of products from major manufacturers like Yamaha and Harley-Davidson. Although all motorcycle parts, engines, and accessories must go through a strict testing process, serious defects do slip through the cracks and injure riders.
If you suffered a motorcycle accident due to a defect part or helmet, you deserve proper compensation for your injuries. Motorcycle manufacturers know how dangerous an accident can be and should take every step to protect riders. Allowing a motorcyclist to suffer a catastrophic injury due to a defective part is inexcusable, and The Husband & Wife Law Team firmly believe in holding negligent manufacturers accountable.
As avid motorcyclists ourselves, we regularly stand up for injured motorcyclists after serious accidents to get them proper compensation, and we can do the same for you. Our Phoenix motorcycle defect attorneys can sit down with you in a free consultation, go over the events of your accident, and create a plan to get you compensation for your injuries. Contact The Husband & Wife Law Team today for a free consultation.
How Can Defects Cause Collisions?
In ideal circumstances, riding a motorcycle should be a thrilling and enjoyable experience. Motorcyclists trust that their vehicles were made with thorough attention to detail and were properly tested before being sold to them. Unfortunately, negligent manufacturing and designing can create dangerous defects that make a motorcycle difficult to operate, unstable in certain conditions, and even deadly in a collision. For example, if a motorcyclist’s steering locks up in a turn, a rider may collide with a nearby tree, guardrail, or building, suffering catastrophic injuries.
Defective motorcycle parts do not just cause accidents; they also make accidents worse. For example, if a motorcyclist is thrown from a bike and strikes his or her helmet, a properly designed helmet should minimize the amount of damage suffered. If the helmet is defective or not certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the rider can suffer severe brain damage and must receive immediate medical attention. While the rider can hold the driver who struck them liable in a car accident claim, they may also be able to file a claim against the helmet’s manufacturer for a defective design.
Common Motorcycle Defects
Diligent testing and research can prevent serious defects from going to a manufacturing floor, but errors do slip through the cracks. Defective motorcycle parts can come in all shapes and sizes, including:
Tires and wheels that come loose, become unstable, or burst when in use
Cracked frames that break down more rapidly
Brakes that fail or apply too much pressure
Handlebars that are too loose or rigid, making it difficult to handle turns
Defective engines that break down while in motion
Leaking fuel tanks that release gasoline and cause fire hazards
Poor overall design that makes a vehicle unstable during an accident
File a Product Liability Claim
Understanding how such product liability claims work is critical if you want to settle successfully. Your injury lawyer will focus on issues such as negligence or strict liability for most product liability suits, which means proving the manufacturer had a duty to ensure your safety and failed, intentionally or not, at this duty.
In the case of motorcycle defects, you can hold a manufacturer liable for an accident in an auto product liability claim if you can show that the motorcycle or auto part manufacturer caused a defect in the design of the vehicle and that defect caused your injuries. You do not need to show that the manufacturer knowingly sold a defective product, just that the manufacturer caused the defect.
In some cases, a defect may have been a result of a negligent retailer, repair shop, or dealership who improperly stored the motorcycle. In these situations, you can still file an injury claim against the negligent party who caused the defect.
Representing Clients Throughout Maricopa County
The Husband & Wife Law Team has been helping people injured in serious motorcycle accidents since 1996, and The Husband & Wife Law Team continues to provide reliable and compassionate representation for riders throughout Arizona. Major bike manufacturers are often reluctant to admit that they may be responsible in a product liability claim, so it is important to work with skilled motorcycle accident attorneys who can hold them liable for your injuries. We can investigate the cause of your accident, identify any and all liable parties, and go to work getting you compensation for your trauma.
Do not let a big motorcycle company intimidate you. The Husband & Wife Law Team is here to stand up for your rights.