Motorcycle Defect Accidents
Few transportation experiences compare to the rush of flying down the interstate with the wind blowing past as you cruise down the open road on a motorcycle. The excitement and thrill of cruising along on a motorcycle is exhilarating, but motorcycles offer almost no protection from injury when a rider is confronted by a negligent motorist. While the best-designed bikes still offer few safety features, motorcycles with defective designs and parts can increase the risk of a crash and a rider’s potential exposure to serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and more. Strict time limits set deadlines that require lawsuits to be commenced within a specific period after a motorcycle accident, so you should promptly seek legal advice to learn about your rights.
Bike manufacturers have a legal duty to market vehicles free of design and manufacturing defects that could increase the risk of a collision and/or injury. When motorcycle manufacturers fail to fulfill this obligation, rider safety can be compromised. Motorcycle enthusiasts always face a heightened risk of debilitating or even fatal injury. Riding on a bike with faulty or malfunctioning parts or components can increase this risk.
Motorcycles like other machines are susceptible to defects at any stage of the production process, but defects typically arise in the design and manufacturing stages. Examples of motorcycle defects that could endanger a rider include:
- Steering Defects: When a motorcycle has a poor steering design, and unsafe “wobble” can compromise the rider’s ability to maintain control of the bike.
- Fuel System: The fuel tank cannot be located too close to an ignition source because the vehicle could burst into flames or explode in a collision.
- Brake Systems: Faulty brakes can be caused by a range of defective parts and materials, such as defective master cylinders, brake pads, and brake fluid lines. Even minor impairment of braking functions can deprive a rider of the time to avoid a collision.
If a defective motorcycle, part, or system caused your motorcycle accident, you might have a claim against the bike, part, and or system manufacturer. Victims of motorcycle accidents also might have a claim against other companies like the company that designed the defective part or system, the retailer that sold the bike, and others depending on the facts and location of the claim.
While defective motorcycle victims might have the right to sue entities in the manufacturing-distribution-retail chain, these lawsuits can be complicated. Experts usually must be retained to inspect the motorcycle and ascertain the defect that caused the crash. Experienced motorcycle defect accident attorneys work closely with experts to build the strongest claim that a defective bike caused a crash.
Important: If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, the bike and all parts should be preserved in their post-crash condition so that experts can examine the bike. When your repair or destroy the bike, critical evidence regarding the cause of the accident and potential defects might be lost.
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Were you or a loved one harmed by a reckless driver? Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover monetary compensation for harm caused by dangerous drivers. For your free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
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