Although motorcycles are fun, economical ways to travel, they have one dangerous flaw. In an accident, riders are unprotected by anything except their helmet and whatever padding they have on their body. If anything is wrong with the motorcycle itself, owners need to know before they take their bike out on the road.
Motorcycle manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) send out regular notices of defective and recalled equipment. If yours was not one of them, or if the notice was sent late, and you are the victim of an accident, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Massey Law Group to learn your legal rights and options.
A defect is a flaw in a part, usually something that went wrong during the manufacturing process. For instance, a piece of steel could have had a microscopic fracture, and anything stamped from the steel would have the same fracture in it. Those parts would continue to fracture after leaving the factory.
A recall occurs when the manufacturer learns that a product has a defect and notifies sellers and owners that the product could be dangerous and they need to stop using it. A recent motorcycle recall in Georgia involved late-model Honda off-road motorcycles. The handgrips had a tendency to detach, which could cause riders to lose control at high speeds.
If a motorcycle owner in Athens does not know they have a defective part, they may continue using the flawed item until it breaks, resulting in a serious accident.
If riders do not learn of these defects before an accident, it can be difficult to show that their accident was caused by the bad part. If the bike has changed hands several times, the new owner may be unaware that there was a recall.
If a defective part was recalled or the manufacturer should have known it was defective, a motorcyclist should contact an Athens attorney to learn their options. The NHTSA has a website where owners can check to see if their model has any open recalls, and what parts are on the list. Cars and motorcycles are listed by VIN.
If the part is on that list, it is strong evidence that it was partially responsible for your accident. There may be other information available to support your accident claim on the NHTSA site.
If you believe your motorcycle accident may have been due to a defective part or possible recall, don’t wait to contact the attorneys at Massey Law Group. Your time to file an injury claim is limited, and it may take some time to find the information about the recalled or defective part.
Our legal team has been fighting for our clients’ rights throughout central Georgia, and we’re here to help you get the compensation you need for your claims. We will help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case, and prepare your claim for court if necessary. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we settle or win your case. Call today for a free consultation.
(706) 395-9160