Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries. Before riders can receive compensation for these injuries, they must have the accident assessed to see what caused it. In some cases, the driver or rider may be negligent. There are also instances, however, where motorcycle accidents are the result of defective components.
What Can Be Defective on a Motorcycle?
Motorcycles are prone to defects just as much as passenger vehicles. A simple defect can force a rider to lose control of the bike and lead to a devastating crash. Also, there are components of a motorcycle that can malfunction, which can lead to a deadly accident. Some of the more common defects seen in motorcycle crashes include:
- Brake Failures – When a motorcycle is unable to stop or slow down to avoid a collision, or even stop at a light, the results can be devastating. The manufacturer of the brake components or the mechanic who last serviced the brakes could be held liable for any damages.
- Faulty Tires – Motorcycles heavily rely on the two tires they have – because of this, one defective tire can be extremely dangerous. If a tire’s tread separates or the tire itself fails, it becomes a serious hazard for the rider. The rider is also more likely to lose control and crash.
- Fuel System Issues – Defectively designed or poorly installed fuel systems often lead to crashes with serious burn injuries.
- Improper Design – Sometimes it is a design defect in the bike itself that leads to the accident. If the design defect makes the bike harder to handle or maneuver in emergency situations, the manufacturer of the bike would be liable for any damages that occur.
- Manufacturing Defects – Manufacturing defects are common. These are errors that occur while the bike is actually being created – not necessarily a design flaw. If, for instance, improper manufacturing leads to a handlebar defect that causes the rider to lose control or components to break off, the manufacturer can be held liable.
Who is Liable?
In these instances, product liability laws will apply. Identifying the party to blame, however, is not as easy as some may think. First, your attorney will need to assess if the manufacturer created the error or if a design flaw was present. If so, the manufacturer – as well as any third-party testing companies, distributors and marketers – could be at-fault. In some cases, it may be the manufacturer of the specific component that failed, such as the company that manufactured the bike’s tires, who is liable.
If you were injured in a serious motorcycle accident due to a bike defect, contact Gladstein Law Firm today for a free consultation. Schedule your appointment today by calling us or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
