A motorcycle recall occurs when the motorcycle’s manufacturer notes a problem with the vehicle that could lead to or increase the risk of an accident. Unfortunately, those defects often prove very serious, resulting in significantly increased accident risk or increased damage in the event of an accident. When motorcycle defects and recalls in Katy lead to accidents, injured individuals may have the right to pursue compensation for their damages. Our seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys can represent you in this matter.
Common Motorcycle Defects and Recalls
Motorcycle defects and recalls can vary widely, but often result from potentially damaged parts that can cause a hazard on the road. For example, Honda had to recall motorcycles due to defective hand grips, which could fall off while riding and cause an accident. Harley-Davidson, on the other hand, had to recall motorcycles due to a suspension defect.
Recalls can occur at any time after a motorcycle is produced. Sometimes, manufacturers recognize potential errors quickly and take action to resolve them soon after an initial release. In other cases, however, the manufacturer may not realize the problem until several riders have reported accidents. Generally, recalls are put out because the manufacturer notes a wide-scale problem that affects most or all of the motorcycles in a specific line or using a specific part. Defects, on the other hand, may impact only a single motorcycle or a small number of motorcycles, often due to an error in the manufacturing process.
How Motorcycle Recalls and Defects Impact Accident Claims
When a defective motorcycle part or motorcycle causes an accident, including parts or vehicles that have not yet been identified for recall, the injured party may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Often, those claims will offer more compensation than the motorcycle rider could recover through a claim against a driver’s insurance company or by filing a claim through their own insurance policy. Insurance policies may not offer enough compensation to cover the cost of damages associated with the accident.
In a claim against a motorcycle manufacturer, injured riders have the right to include all financial and non-financial damages they sustained as a result of the accident and their injuries. That can mean the cost of all necessary medical treatments as well as any income they lost because they could not work after the accident. Furthermore, many motorcycle accident claims in Katy due to defective or recalled motorcycles will include compensation for the injured party’s pain and suffering.
Are Claims Only Limited to the Motorcyclist?
The injured rider of the recalled motorcycle is not the only one who has the right to recover compensation from the motorcycle manufacturer when an accident occurs. Anyone injured in the accident, including drivers and passengers in other vehicles involved in the accident, can file a claim.
Contact a Katy Lawyer to Discuss Accidents Caused by Motorcycle Defects and Recalls
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident due to a defective part or a part included in a recall, you may have the right to compensation for the losses you had to deal with because of those injuries. Motorcycle defects and recalls in Katy often mean substantial damages, since a motorcycle offers little protection to its rider and defects can quickly cause it to spin out of control. You need a personal injury lawyer on your side to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP today to discuss your claim.
