Defective motorcycles can cause life-altering accidents on the road. If something is wrong with the vehicle, and the rider loses control at a high speed, they can sustain serious injuries. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident that occurred due to a defect, you can file a personal injury claim against the negligent manufacturer.
Our team of dedicated attorneys from the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can help you understand how motorcycle defects and recalls in Southaven factor into your personal injury case.
Types of Motorcycle Defects
Motorcycle defects that lead to legal action in Southaven come in three different types. They are:
Manufacturing
A manufacturing defect is an error made by the manufacturer while assembling the vehicle. Common causes are poor-quality materials and mistakes in production. Some examples are defective tires that are prone to blowouts or loose handlebars.
Design
A design defect is an engineering problem. It involves mistakes at the design stage. Some examples are unstable frame designs and poor weight distribution. When a design defect occurs, the manufacturer must issue a recall.
In some cases, manufacturing and design defects do not manifest themselves for months or even years. For example, low-quality materials used when building a vehicle wear out too quickly. The rider may follow all maintenance rules and checks closely and still miss the issue.
Failure to Warn
Manufacturers must provide adequate warnings and instructions for safe use. Failure to do so can make them liable for resulting accidents. Common warning defects include:
- Lack of proper instructions on tire pressure and maintenance
- No warning about a known mechanical issue that could cause crashes
- Failure to inform riders about handling limitations at high speeds
If a manufacturer knew about a hazard but failed to issue a warning, they can be held accountable for the rider’s injuries.
Motorcycle Recalls
If a motorcycle manufacturer identifies a defect that poses a safety risk, federal law requires them to issue a recall. However, not all riders receive recall notices in time. Some continue using a dangerous motorcycle without knowing the risks.
If a defect led to an accident before the recall was issued, or before the rider was informed, the manufacturer could still be held responsible for damages. If a company fails to recall a motorcycle despite knowing about a defect, it can face legal action for negligence.
David and Elissa can help investigate motorcycle recalls in Southaven and connect them to the accident. With proper evidence, it may be possible to seek compensation from the manufacturer.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Mississippi is three years. The motorcycle rider has three years from the date of the accident caused by a defect to file a personal injury claim.
While three years is a long time, the faster the rider can initiate legal action, the more chances they have of collecting quality evidence.
Talk to a Southaven Attorney about Motorcycle Defects and Recalls
Understanding how motorcycle defects and recalls in Southaven work can help you file a personal injury claim and receive fair compensation for your injury. However, such cases are usually complex and require an in-depth investigation and evidence collection.
At the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs, we have handled many personal injury cases related to motorcycle defects. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation today.
