Los Angeles Motorcycle Defect Attorneys

Los angeles motorcycle defect attorneysAlthough most motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other vehicles, accidents can also be caused by defective motorcycles or motorcycle parts. Nonetheless, manufacturers, designers, and distributors have a duty to provide safe bikes, free of design or manufacturing defects. If these entities breach this duty, they must be held accountable for resulting injuries.

J&Y Law is a premier personal injury law firm serving clients throughout Northern and Southern California. Knowing that motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious injuries and fatalities, our attorneys work tirelessly to help injured riders obtain the compensation they deserve. Well-versed in the applicable traffic safety and negligence laws, we have a proven track record of pursuing successful product liability lawsuits against the responsible parties for motorcycle defects.

Motorcycle Defects at a Glance

There are numerous motorcycle defects that contribute to accidents, starting with tire defects that lead to blowout, spinout, and tip-over accidents. There may also be defects in the braking system, shock absorbers, chains, pedals, toe clips, handlebars, and fuel lines. Generally, some of the most common motorcycle defects include:

  • Tires and wheels — Defective tires and wheels can make a motorcycle unstable and cause the rider to swerve or skid, leading to an accident. If a tire defect caused your accident, the tire manufacturer may be held liable for any resulting injuries and property damage.
  • Brakes — Brake failure is a frightening experience and the inability to stop increases the risk of accidents and deadly high-speed crashes because riders lack the protection of a vehicle frame.
  • Frame — Defective motorcycle frames are prone to cracks, exposing the bike to the elements which may lead to rust and damage to other parts of the machine. Small fractures in the frame of a bike may even lead to structural failure and catastrophic motorcycle accidents.
  • Handlebars — Essential for steering and keeping a motorcycle on the desired path, defective handlebars impede steering, which can cause a bike to wobble, leading to an accident.
  • Engine — Engine breakdowns can cause a motorcycle to stall or stop in traffic or other situations when it is necessary to continue moving. Ultimately, an unexpected engine failure can lead to a biker losing control of the motorcycle or suddenly stalling and being struck by another vehicle.
  • Fuel tank — If there are manufacturing flaws in a fuel tank, dangerous gas leaks can lead to a motorcycle fire. Bikers often do not discover this defect until a preventable fire or accident occurs.
  • Overall design — In addition to safety defects in the bike or individual parts, a poorly designed motorcycle can lead to defects in the frame and other dangerous design defects.

While motorcycle riding involves a high degree of risk for accidents and injuries, manufacturers and distributors have an obligation to provide motorcycle riders with reasonably safe products. If you have been injured in an accident due to a motorcycle defect, the attorneys at J&Y can help you obtain just compensation.

Proving Liability in a Defective Motorcycle Accident

If a faulty motorcycle part, system, or assembly causes an accident, proving liability can be complex, because there may be more than one party at fault. Was the defect caused by the motorcycle manufacturer? Did a parts manufacturer supply defective products? Was the motorcycle damaged in the showroom?

Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances leading to your accident, which includes reviewing police reports, identifying and interviewing witnesses, and discovering whether similar defects have contributed to other motorcycle accidents. We also collaborate with a respected network of engineers and design experts to examine every single part of the motorcycle for evidence of product or design defects. Finally, we will also review recall records to determine if the manufacturer knew about the defect and whether or not the needed repairs had been made.

How to Handle Motorcycle Defects

While motorcycle defects often go undetected until it is too late to prevent an accident, motorcycle riders show take precautions to minimize the harm if a defect occurs. These measures include:

  • Wear safety gear — California law requires all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets to shield the head, face, and brain, from an impact. Riders should also wear non-flammable jackets and gloves, long pants, and boots to reduce the risk of cuts, burns, road rash, and bruises in an accident.
  • Perform routine maintenance — While riders who conduct regular bike maintenance can detect problems and defective parts and keep their bikes operating safely, defects can be hard to detect, causing parts to degrade over time.
  • Check for recalls — Motorcycle manufacturers are required to publicly disclose defects when they occur and issue recalls. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also announces recalls and posts this information on its website.

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident due to a motorcycle defect, it is crucial to have proper legal representation. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation from responsible parties involved in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of the defective motorcycle. J&Y Law has decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases in Northern and Southern California. We will work tirelessly to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. If a loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident, you can find justice by pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. Call our office today or complete the online contact form — the consultation is free and you will not pay an attorney’s fee until we win your case.