Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common causes of injury in the U.S. Whether they involve a passenger vehicle, tractor trailer, or motorcycle, auto accidents often times leave victims with significant injuries due to their large size and weight capacities. Unfortunately, drivers are 35 times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash when operating a motorcycle than a passenger vehicle such as a car, truck, or SUV. This is because of the obvious dangers associated with motorcycles. They offer little protection to riders and are much smaller than other vehicles on Georgia roadways, so when they come into contact it is typically worse for motorcyclists. More motorcyclists died in 2013 than any other year since the NHTSA began collecting crash data in 1975.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include adverse weather conditions, disobeying traffic laws, speeding, and vehicle defects. Rain, sleet, and wind can affect even the largest vehicles, but motorcyclists often face more difficult driving conditions when the weather is poor. Speeding, not using turn signals, and ignoring traffic signs also causes many motorcycle crashes, even when it is not the cyclist who fails to obey traffic laws. One of the most common types of motorcycle wrecks occurs when another vehicle turns in front of a motorcyclist. In this type of situation, the cyclist must use their braking system and hope that it is reliable. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There has been countless times in which a cyclist’s brakes failed, causing them to be involved in a deadly crash.
A recent recall of Honda Motor Company’s GL-1800 motorcycle is attributed to a braking safety issue. This is the second recall for model years 2001-2010 and 2012 and involves a secondary brake cylinder that may cause dragging in the rear brake. This can lead to unnecessary crashes and fires. So far, no injuries or deaths have been reported as a result of the motorcycle’s defect, but there have been 533 complaints filed to Honda. If you are an owner of one of these motorcycles, you should take the cycle to the nearest dealership to be inspected.
Motor vehicle defects, including motorcycle defects, often lead to injury-causing accidents. In these situations, the manufacturer of that defective vehicle may be held liable and forced to compensate for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. For more information about product recalls and automobile defects, contact Jones & Swanson at (770) 427-5498.
