Defective parts and safety components on motorcycles may lead to dangerous accidents, serious injuries and fatalities on America’s roadways. When manufacturers fail to produce safe vehicles for the road, due to design or manufacturing flaws, drivers and passengers are put at unnecessary risk with motorcycle defects.
Thousands of road accidents lead to far too many injuries and deaths each year in the United States. The primary cause of motorcycle accidents is driver negligence. But one overlooked contributing factor is defects within cars and motorcycles, including defective safety features, engines, braking systems, or tires.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Catastrophic Injury lawyer and product liability attorney, experienced in filing product liability claims against negligent manufacturers.
After a serious motorcycle accident, victims should contact a legal professional to investigate the cause and Motorcycle Recalls.
Defective Motorcycle Tires
Road safety advocates have been investigating Harley Davidson components, including defective Goodyear-Dunlop/Sumitomo D402 motorcycle tires that may be linked to motorcycle tire failure and subsequent accidents.
Consumers and experts are concerned that Harley-Davidson-branded model lines of motorcycle tires that have excess bead flash, and have failed in connection with motorcycle accidents in the United States.
Joe Lyon is an experienced product liability attorney and motorcycle tire failure lawyer, representing plaintiffs nationwide in preventable accidents.
The Lyon Firm works with Accident Investigators to determine the root cause of a motorcycle accident.
There are several components that can be defective on a motorcycle, including defective brakes, throttle, lights, or faulty tires; each of which can contribute to serious accidents.
Motorcycle tire failure may occur if tire manufacturers engage in negligent production practices or have a lack of quality control standards. Tires can be defective in the same way car tires are defective. They may be prone to blowouts, Defective Tire Treads, sidewall zipper failure and poor material construction.
Thousands of tires are recalled each year, though many are already installed on cars, trucks and motorcycles and have caused injury or death before a recall is initiated.
Motorcycle Tire Failure
Tire Defect Claims and Product liability lawsuits can be filed against motorcycle and component manufacturers for the following:
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Dealership Mechanic Negligence
- Failure to Warn
In a defective tire claim, you can hold a manufacturer responsible for damages and loss of life. Following an accident, contact a motorcycle attorney to have a qualified expert investigate. Always preserve evidence of possible motorcycle tire defects.
The Lyon Firm works to protect the consumer and make America’s roads safer by holding tire companies and vehicle manufacturers accountable in product liability and personal injury lawsuits for defective tires and other faulty motorcycle components that contribute to accidents and injury.
Motorcycle Recalls
- In 2015, Honda recalled over 22,000 Shadow cruisers due to an issue with the bank angle sensor. Honda said the issue can cause the transmission to lock, causing loss of control and increasing the chance for accidents and serious injuries.
- BMW of North America recalled certain 2014-2016 F800 GT and 2015-2016 F800 motorcycles because the rear-side reflex reflectors on these vehicles were not properly visible in certain traffic conditions. The vehicles failed to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, reduced the visibility of the motorcycle and increased the risk of a crash.
- BMW also recalled certain motorcycles because when equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors were partially blocked. If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can greatly affect road visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
- BMW recalled accessory turn signals manufactured for several models after they discovered these accessory turn signals may be insufficiently visible to other drivers, and failed to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If other drivers cannot easily see the turn signals, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Michelin North America recalled some Pilot Power 3 replacement sport motorcycle tires, manufactured in the spring of 2016. These tires were missing the required maximum load and corresponding inflation pressure information on the sidewall. Improper use of the tire may result in tire failure and an accident.
Triumph Motorcycles, Inc. has issued several recalls, most notably for the Speed Triple ABA motorcycles manufactured between June 2012 and January 2013. The primary issue with the Triumph Speed Triple relates to a manufacturing problem with the use of an incorrect detent spring which may cause the transmission to switch out of gear. As a result, the Triumph Speed may have an increased risk of loss of control and injury to the driver and other members of the traveling public.
For more information about motorcycle recalls, consumers can call the NHTSA hotline at 1-800-327-4236 to report a failure or a crash. Consumers may also contact The Lyon Firm for a free and confidential legal consultation to discuss their legal rights.
(Warning: If there has been an accident or malfunction, the vehicle must be maintained and stored for evidence in any future proceedings. Failure to do so may adversely impact any future claim.)
Motorcycle Defects
Other motorcycle defects and recalls in recent years involve standard bike features, including the following:
- Tire failure and blowouts
- Engine malfunction
- Fuel system issues
- Faulty wiring
- Brake failure
- Clutch failure
- Wheel problems
- Steering lockup or other steering problems
- Defective turn signals and other lights
- Unintended Acceleration
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Product liability lawsuits may be filed against motorcycle and component manufacturers for the following defects:
- Design Defects—poorly designed equipment may have a high risk of failure, and the motorcycle manufacturer or the company that designed the defective component part can be held legally liable in a civil lawsuit.
- Manufacturing Defects—poorly manufactured and low-quality parts; or improperly assembled equipment can lead to successful lawsuits against a manufacturer. If a defective motorcycle results in a personal injury, an accident victim can file a claim against the company. When a manufacturer fails to exercise reasonable care in the manufacture of a product, they can be held liable for a manufacturing defect. Regardless of the type of defect, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of the product can be found equally liable for a defective product.
- Improperly Maintained Equipment—mechanics or motorcycle dealerships responsible for a vehicle’s maintenance may be held legally liable. Also, if the rider and owner are not the same individual, the owner of a motorcycle may be named in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
- Failure to Warn—any manufacturer that fails to properly warn the consumer of known dangers can be sued for gross negligence.
In a defective product claim, you can hold any party in the commercial stream of distribution responsible for the injuries sustained. Following an accident, contact an attorney to have a qualified expert look at the motorcycle. Always keep the motorcycle in the post-accident condition for evidence of possible motorcycle defects.
