Harley-Davidson Inc. is announcing a recall of more than 308,000 motorcycles.The recall is being blamed on a potential brake light failure problem. These types of product defects can pose a significant risk to riders, greatly increasing the likelihood of motorcycle accident. Drivers often have trouble seeing motorcycles and, therefore, an inoperative brake light will make it even more difficult for them to observe a motorcycle stopping. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often result in severe personal injury and wrongful death.
According to the company, the brake light switches on its motorcycles can be exposed to excessive heat from the exhaust system, causing the brake lights to fail.This failure can cause a fluid leak, as well as the loss of the rear braking system. The loss of the rear braking system is likely to result in product liability claims since they are highly likely to cause a serious injury or death. Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have regularly encouraged riders to get their bikes regularly checked, but this is the type of issue that could not have been identified through regular maintenance absence a warning from the manufacturer.
According to the company, the Touring, CEO and Trike motorcycles are included in the recall.These motorcycles are from the 2009 to 2012 model years.The motorcycles were manufactured between June 2008 and September 2011.The company has already begun the process of notifying all Harley motorcycle owners about the recall.Owners of Harley motorcycles that are included in this recall are advised to visit their dealers for installation of a new rear brake light switch kit.The recall involves approximately 241,000 motorcycles in the United States, with the remainder in other countries.
According to Harley-Davidson Inc., the problem came to light in June 2010, when it received a report of a Trike motorcycle losing its rear brake light.While the company was investigating this accident, it received a report of a similar incident in Louisiana.The Louisiana accident resulted in injuries to one person.The company began an investigation into the Louisiana accident, but has not yet been able to determine whether the rear brake light problem caused that accident.According to the company, it is not aware of any other accidents or injuries associated with the problem.
Most motorcycle accidents that Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers come across occur as a result of motorist negligence or failure to yield.Other accidents are caused by excessive speeding by motorists or drunk drivers.However, many motorcycle accidents every year are caused due to defective motorcycle parts, motorcycle malfunctioning or lack of maintenance.
Motorcycle accidents may occur because of brake and tire failures, failure of the shock absorbers, and chain failures.Motorcycles that come with defective parts, like defective pedals may also be at a higher risk of being involved in an accident.
Additionally, motorcyclists who wear defective helmets may have a higher risk of being injured in an accident.Only purchase motorcycle helmet laws that are approved by the Department of Transportation. Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have been concerned to see a growing trend of using novelty motorcycle helmets that look sleek and stylish, but do nothing to protect the motorcyclist during an accident.Motorcyclists who are wearing a non-approved helmet may assume that they are protected from serious injuries, when the reality is otherwise.
What Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys would really like to see is motorcycles made safer with mandatory installation of antilock braking systems.Studies have indicated that the installation of these braking systems can reduce the number of serious motorcycle accidents.
The Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers represent persons injured in motorcycle accidents in the Metro Atlanta region and across Georgia.