Many motorcyclists ride their motorcycles all year, while some only ride during the months of good weather. No matter when they rider take out their motorcycles, they want to know their motorcycle is safe to ride. A recent recall of some Harley-Davidson motorcycles puts some owners at risk. Motorcycle manufacturers have a responsibility to motorcycle owners affected by the recall to ensure the defective motorcycle part gets replaced or fixed so the owner is not in an accident because of the defective part.
The recall includes almost 46,000 motorcycles built between April and October 2014. It affects 13 models built in that time frame. The defect is caused by a chemical reaction in the clutch master cylinder that may cause gas bubbles to form. The gas bubbles can lead to the loss of clutch lift.
This means the plates may not fully engage even if the rider pulls the clutch completely and may cause the affected models clutch to move and cause the motorcycle to go forward while it is in gear and running. This defect has caused over 20 injuries to motorcyclists and their passengers. Motorcycles parked for extended periods of time are more likely to be affected by the defect, but Harley-Davidson stated it may also affect motorcycles that are ridden on a regular basis.
While Harley-Davidson has offered to fix the defective parts, it is only notifying those owners who have registered they own the affected models. Owners who have not registered their motorcycles may not get the recall notification and become injured. Owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles can put their VIN into the recall search on Safecar.gov or the Harley-Davidson website to find out if their motorcycle is affected by the recall.
Being injured in a motorcycle accident does not only affect the person who was riding the motorcycle, but also their family and anyone else who may be involved if the motorcycle collides with another vehicle. Motorcyclists have a higher chance of being injured in an accident with another vehicle. These injuries can have a life changing effect on them and their families.
Motorcyclists need to know their motorcycles are not going to keep going when they put the clutch in to stop or shift gears. They should not have to worry about if their motorcycle will keep going and possibly run into the backend of another vehicle or the side of a building if they are trying to park. Motorcycle manufacturers have a product liability to the consumer to ensure their product is safe for the consumer to operate and a responsibility to compensate them for any injuries, time, or loss caused by the defect. Experienced motorcycle defective parts lawyers can help consumers understand their rights to compensation.
Being injured from defective motorcycle parts is serious and can negatively impact the rider’s life. Contact a Chicago defective motorcycle parts lawyer today. We have experienced attorneys who have handled many types of product liability cases and fought for their client’s right to compensation. Call for a free case consultation.
