Motorcycles may appear simple and bicycle-like to an untrained eye, with their two-wheeled, open-aired design, however, they are mechanically complicated machines with many interconnected parts and components, complex electrical systems, sensors, circuits, and relays. When even one component fails to function correctly due to a manufacturing defect, it can impact critical systems such as braking or steering, sometimes resulting in a motorcycle accident with serious injuries.
Despite making up only 3% of motor vehicles on the road, motorcyclists make up 14.6% of traffic accident fatalities.
What Are the Most Common Manufacturing Defects That Cause Motorcycle Accidents?
All manufacturers, including manufacturers of motorcycle parts, have a legal responsibility to design, produce, and market products that are safe for consumers. Unfortunately, design flaws, manufacturing mistakes, and poor marketing labels or instructions sometimes result in product failure and adverse events. Manufacturing defects in a moving vehicle can have serious repercussions, particularly for vulnerable motorcyclists lacking the protection of seatbelts and an enclosed structure. Common motorcycle manufacturing defects include:
- Brake system defects: brake failure in any vehicle is terrifying and presents extreme danger, but especially to a motorcyclist who makes direct contact with the road and other obstacles in a crash
- Defective handlebars: a motorcyclist’s handlebars are essential for steering, balance, and holding onto the bike while riding. A serious defect in a motorcycle’s handlebars can cause the rider to lose control suddenly. Even slight defects that cause issues like wobbling can lead to an accident
- Defective tires and wheels: a defective tire or wheel can lead to an accident by causing wobbling, instability, skids, and sudden blowouts.
- Fuel tank defects: gas leaks from a defective fuel tank can cause a deadly motorcycle fire and accidents
- Defective frames: a defective frame may develop cracks that cause parts to rust and break, sometimes ending with structural failure and a deadly accident.
In some cases, motorcycle accidents have resulted from overall design flaws that leave the motorcycle inherently unsafe to drive.
Damages in Motorcycle Manufacturing Defect Claims
Because a motorcycle accident is often devastating or catastrophic for the rider, damages quickly pile up. The common damages in motorcycle accidents caused by defective parts, systems, or designs, include property damage or the cost of replacing the motorcycle, past and future medical expenses, lost income, diminished future earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering, scarring, and diminished quality of life due to disability.
Understanding Strict Liability in Defective Product Claims
Most personal injury and traffic accident claims depend on proving negligence on the part of a driver, property owner, or other party, but claims against the manufacturer of a defective product such as a motorcycle or motorcycle part are different because manufacturers are held to a different legal liability standard. They have strict liability for injuries caused by the products they produce. Proving product liability for a defective product claim requires showing that an error occurred in the product’s manufacturing or marketing, or that the design itself has an inherent flaw that makes the product unsafe while other, safer, design options exist. Being knowledgeable for
Liability varies from state to state. For example, in Missouri, you have to prove that the defendant is completely liable, the defective product injured you, and was unaware of the product’s faultiness. If you are confused or want more information proving liability for a motorcycle accident caused by a manufacturing defect, contacting an experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident attorney or an attorney within Missouri would be a smart and recommended option.