When motorcyclists start out on a trip on their bike they expect that every component on the motorcycle will work as it was meant to do. When a motorcycle collision results from a defective motorcycle part it may be necessary for the motorcyclist to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney in order to receive reimbursement for injuries and damages. The motorcyclist has the same rights when he is injured by a defective motorcycle part as he would if he were injured by a reckless driver. Suppose you were involved in an accident but were not really sure if it was caused by a defective part.
How Do You Know if Your Accident Was Caused by a Defect?
Some things that should make you suspect a defect include a malfunction on one of the tires—particularly if they are fairly new—strange wobbles or noises prior to the crash, a malfunction that appears to have no real reason or a crash which occurred in good weather and did not involve driver impairment or excessive speed. Motorcycles are meant to be designed with the rider’s safety in mind therefore any company that designs or produces defective or unsafe products must be held liable. If you believe your motorcycle has a defective part or design following a crash, you must be able to prove three things in order to receive compensation for the defect.
You must prove the part was in fact defective, that it came to you that way and that it directly caused your injury or accident. Evidence is critical in a situation involving defective equipment or parts so you must ensure you keep every single part or piece as well as all instructions and labeling that came with your motorcycle. Your purchase receipt for the motorcycle or part as well as any injury or death documentation will all be necessary forms of evidence.
What Kinds of Defects are Most Common?
Any time a single piece of a motorcycle neglects to operate properly your entire motorcycle and your safety could be in serious jeopardy. This means that a tire defect, a problem with the braking system, tires or transmission and engine could lead to a collision and subsequent injuries. In the same way, a motorcycle helmet which is defective can cause grave or fatal injuries in the event of an accident. Other types of defects can include shock absorber failure, stuck throttles, failure of the chain, improper dealer assembly or defective pedals and toe clips. Some of the most common defects on motorcycles include handlebar defects which cause wobbling and uncontrollable shaking, rear tire defects which causes imbalances due to misalignment and fuel line defects which cause fires and overheating.
Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Once a motorcycle accident occurs it is likely that very serious injuries will be sustained. Brain trauma, serious road rash, disfigurement, spinal cord injuries which lead to paralysis, internal injuries and fractures are some of the more common injuries suffered by motorcyclists involved in an accident which is due to a faulty motorcycle part. Manufacturers must be held accountable when they are responsible for manufacturing a defective or dangerous product. If your accident was directly caused by a defective motorcycle part you must get qualified legal assistance. These cases can be very complex and require an attorney who has significant background and experience with motorcycle cases and product defect cases. Don’t let too much time pass before speaking with a qualified lawyer regarding your options.