Bikers love motorcycles for many reasons, including the freedom they offer and lower fuel costs. However, they also carry greater risks, particularly when they include defective parts, which can lead to recalls.
If a hazardous or defective motorcycle part caused your collision, you can hold the manufacturer or other responsible parties accountable. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our qualified motorbike collision attorneys can help you learn more about motorcycle defects and recalls in Northglenn.
How Do Motorcycle Defects Happen?
Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) primarily governs the safety recall of defective motorcycles in Northglenn through a structured process. The NHTSA treats motorcycles as motor vehicles, and the Office of Defects Investigation oversees safety-related issues.
A safety defect is any problem in the vehicle itself or its equipment and parts that creates an unreasonable risk and has a high probability of leading to crashes, injuries, or fatalities. The NHTSA also flags vehicles that violate the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Violations include noncompliant parts or equipment, such as tires, brakes, or helmets; motorcycles with long stopping distances; incorrect VIN labels; or motorbikes that fail safety tests.
If you believe any of these violations led to your motorcycle crash, our dedicated legal team can help you pursue compensation against manufacturers and maintenance workers for the damage that the crash caused.
What Are Common Types of Defects?
Motorcycle defects fall into three primary categories. These include:
- Defective designs: Flaws in the original blueprint or engineering, such as a handlebar design that is prone to wobble on bumpy roads, and affects the entire line of motorcycles
- Manufacturing defects: Errors during the assembly or production phase, such as improperly welded frames or faulty brake components in one specific batch.
- Defective warnings or marketing: Inadequate instructions or a failure to warn consumers about known risks
The guidelines for motorcycles focus heavily on brakes, lighting, tires, and other controls because of the unique vulnerabilities of motorcycles. Violations trigger recall systems, and the law requires owners to pursue maintenance once informed and manufacturers to fix them at no cost.
If you were never warned about your motorcycle’s defect or took it in to get fixed and the motorcycle was still a safety risk, you likely have grounds for a lawsuit. Our Northglenn lawyers can help you pursue all possible avenues for compensation.
What Is the Manufacturer’s Responsibility?
Manufacturers must self-certify that their vehicles and equipment comply with all safety guidelines and regulations. If the NHTSA determines noncompliance, 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 573 requires they report it and initiate a safety recall.
The manufacturer must also provide a remedy, such as free repair, replacement, or some other form of correction. A manufacturer can ask the NHTSA to exempt their motorcycles from recall if they can prove that the defect is inconsequential and poses no safety risk to riders in Northglenn, such as minor labeling errors or similar issues.
Filing a Claim for Damages
If a defect causes you to crash, you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer to obtain a settlement for your damages and losses. The time limit for commencing legal action in most cases is two years from the date of the crash. Some specifics can allow for an extension, and our knowledgeable lawyers can review the details of your case and answer your questions about Northglenn motorcycle recalls and flaws during a consultation. Recoverable economic damages include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Lost pay and benefits
- Future lost earnings
You can also recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, and disabilities or disfigurement.
Contact a Northglenn Attorney About Motorbike Defects and Recalls
You have every right to expect a motorcycle manufacturer to cover your damages, for bodily harm, non-monetary injuries, and other losses if you suffered harm in a preventable crash. You can also help yourself stay safe by checking for recent recalls regularly.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our attorneys provide personalized, one-on-one attention and can help you learn more about motorcycle defects and recalls in Northglenn. If you were involved in a crash due to a recall, contact us today and schedule a consultation to review your case and options.
