{"id":353089,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/motorcycle-defects-and-recalls.html"},"modified":"2025-10-03T15:24:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T20:24:46","slug":"motorcycle-defects-and-recalls","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/motorcycle-defects-and-recalls.html","title":{"rendered":"Legal Claims for Motorcycle Defects and Recalls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Legal Claims for Motorcycle Defects and Recalls<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

When a motorcycle defect<\/span> leads to an accident or injury, several legal claims can be pursued against the manufacturer, distributor<\/span>, or other responsible parties. These claims primarily fall under product liability<\/span> and negligence, with a recall often serving as crucial evidence.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Like other motor vehicles<\/span>, motorcycles can have\u00a0manufacturing defects<\/span><\/a>. These defects can pose serious risks to bikers<\/span>, which is why it\u2019s crucial to pay attention to motorcycle recalls<\/span>. This is especially true when the underlying issues can lead to a serious accident<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article examines the most common types of motorcycle defects<\/span> and discusses what to do if you receive notice of a defect or motorcycle recall<\/span><\/a>. It also explains the impact these defects can have on motorcyclists<\/span> and the consequences of defective parts<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been in a motorcycle accident<\/span> due to a defective bike or motorcycle part<\/span>, consider contacting a local motorcycle accident<\/span> lawyer<\/span><\/a>. Not filing a motorcycle accident<\/span> lawsuit before the statute of limitations period expires means you\u2019ll lose your chance to pursue damages.<\/p>\n

Understanding Types of Motorcycle Defects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Manufacturers and product designers have a duty to ensure that the products they release to the market are safe. When they breach this duty, they face product liability<\/span> claims<\/span><\/a> and personal injury<\/span> lawsuits.<\/p>\n

As with any other product, motorcycle defects<\/span> fall into three main categories: design defects<\/span>, manufacturing defects<\/span>, and warning defects. If any of these defects result in a car accident<\/span> or other motor vehicle<\/span> accident, the manufacturer, along with any other distribution chain members, may face injury claims<\/span> by the accident victims.<\/p>\n

Before you consider filing a product liability<\/span> lawsuit<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s important to understand the different types of defects<\/span> you may experience. Let\u2019s take a look at each one.<\/p>\n

Design Defects<\/span><\/h3>\n

A\u00a0design defect<\/span><\/a> exists when there\u2019s an inherent flaw in the original design of a motorcycle. Design defect<\/span> cases have nothing to do with how the motorcycle was assembled. Instead, the design itself is the root cause of the problem. Regardless of how carefully the manufacturer makes the motorbike<\/span>, it will still be inherently dangerous.<\/p>\n

A prime example of a design defect<\/span> is a fuel tank that leaks when the bike hits another object. The bike may not have been so dangerous<\/a> if the designer had included a safety valve that prevented fuel leaks.<\/p>\n

Manufacturing Defects<\/span><\/h3>\n

Manufacturing defects<\/span><\/a> occur during the production or assembly process. These cases have nothing to do with the motorcycle\u2019s design. Had the manufacturer made the motorbike<\/span> correctly, there wouldn\u2019t be a safety defect<\/span>. Manufacturing defects<\/span> can range from minor issues to severe flaws that make a motorcycle dangerous.<\/p>\n

An example of a manufacturing defect<\/span> is a motorcycle with defective parts<\/span><\/a>, such as loose handlebars<\/span> or substandard brake pads. Either of these defects can lead to a serious accident<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Warning Defects<\/h3>\n

A\u00a0warning defect<\/a> occurs when the retailer or distributor<\/span> fails to disclose a potential danger. If a motorcycle is prone to overheating and catching on fire when the biker<\/span> goes above 85 miles per hour, the manufacturer must disclose this fact. Otherwise, riders wouldn\u2019t be aware of the potential danger of their bike overheating when they\u2019re on the highway.<\/p>\n

Who Can Be Named in a Motorcycle <\/span>Defect<\/span> Lawsuit<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

If you get into a serious motorcycle accident<\/span> because of a defect, your first step should be filing a claim with the insurance company before taking further action. If the insurance adjuster denies your claim, you may have no other option but to file a personal injury<\/span> lawsuit<\/a>. However, it\u2019s not always clear who you\u2019re supposed to file the lawsuit against.<\/p>\n

If another driver caused your motorcycle accident<\/span><\/a>, you can sue the at-fault party. A crash due to a manufacturing or design defect<\/span> means targeting the responsible parties in the distribution chain.<\/p>\n

Depending on the facts of your case and the type of defect<\/span><\/a>, you may need to name one or more of the following parties as defendants:<\/p>\n