Motorcycle defects can lead to parts’ failure or breakdown while in operation. This can be potentially dangerous for riders, which is why bike manufacturers are commonly proactive about recalling defective motorcycles or components. While there is no official data for motorcycle defects and recalls in Duluth, riders can look up their specific motorcycle make to see if there are recall alerts.
If failed or defective parts have resulted in a motorbike crash, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law can help you pursue compensation. Our English- and Spanish-speaking legal team can discuss your case with you, catering to injured victims of failed motorcycle parts.
What Are Common Motorcycle Defects and Reasons for Their Recall?
Once motorcycle manufacturers become aware of defects in their bikes and components, they often issue recall alerts, allowing customers to return the motorcycles for free repair. Some popular motorcycle defects include sudden loss of air in tires, detachable grip, failing tires, and assembly failure.
Sudden Loss of Air in Tires
A notable example is Harley-Davidson’s recall of over 82,000 Softail bikes for rear shock adjuster defects, leading to contact with the rear tire. This contact creates grooves in the tire and causes sudden air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
Detachable Grip
Almost 41,000 Honda off-road motorcycles were found to have grips that can detach from handlebars, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
Failing Tires
Dunlop issued a recall for some of their tires with tire thread separation issues, a hazard that could potentially cause a loss of vehicular control.
Assembly Failure
SSR Motorsports issued a recall of about 420 units of its off-road competition bikes due to a tendency for the front fork assembly to fail, posing potential crash hazards.
These are just a few examples of recalls that could potentially lead to real motorcycle hazards for riders, their passengers, and other road users. Duluth motorcyclists who suspect that their accident may have resulted from a defective part or component requiring a recall need to speak to an experienced motorbike crash attorney to consider all their options.
Tips for Checking Recalls and What To Do Afterward
Duluth motorcycle owners can remain informed about potential safety issues while riding by simply looking up their bike’s make and model and checking for any recall or defect alerts. The best ways to do this includes searching the websites for the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the motorcycle manufacturer, or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Motorcyclists can also set up alerts on these websites or via Google Alerts for news items related to their bikes. In many cases, manufacturers may contact affected customers directly to notify them of the issue. Where they do not have the customer’s contact information, they may notify the dealerships, which will then contact the customer.
All recall notices typically include instructions for returns, trade-ins, swaps, or free repairs. Riders should follow all manufacturer or agency guidelines to have the issues corrected.
Failure to adhere to the stated timelines and the continued use of the motorbike without fixing the defects may mean bikers cannot recover compensation if the defective component causes an accident.
Speak to a Duluth Lawyer About Motorcycle Defects and Recalls
If you were hurt in a motorbike accident due to a failed or defective part, you may be able to seek compensation. However, the result of the claim could depend on the circumstances of the crash and your level of awareness about the issue.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer familiar with motorcycle defects and recalls in Duluth from Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law can help review the case and circumstances and provide you with viable legal options. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case today.
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