A Look at Two Different Companies Handling Defective Motorcycle Brakes

In February 2018, a Douglasville jury found Suzuki Motor Corp. and its American subsidiary liable for a crash that shattered a Georgia man’s spine. Courtroom View Network (“CVN”) reports that the jury’s award included $10.5 million to the injured motorcycle rider, and $2 million to his wife.

The plaintiff, Adrian Johns, claimed that the crash occurred because of a defect in the front brakes of his bike. He also claimed that Suzuki knew about the defect months before the August 2013 crash, but the company failed to warn owners of the motorcycles about the defect. Two months after the crash, Suzuki recalled more than 200,000 Suzuki GSX-R motorcycles built between 2004 and 2013, per CVN.

The defense claimed that reckless driving caused the crash, while the plaintiff provided evidence in the form of copies of internal memoranda revealing the company had ordered hundreds of thousands of replacement parts in preparation for a recall, but failed to warn consumers about the defect. Additionally, two other Suzuki motorcycle owners testified about having the same experience with failed brakes.

Harley Davidson recalling motorcycles due to possible brake failures

Also in early February 2018, Harley Davidson issued a voluntary recall of nearly 175,000 bikes because of the potential for brake failure. A story in USA Today reports that the recall, which could cost the company $29.4 million, covers CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles in model years 2008-2011 equipped with anti-lock brakes. This recall could include more than 251,000 bikes worldwide, with nearly 175,000 of those bikes sold in the United States.

The USA Today story reports that the NHTSA began an investigation after receiving 43 complaints about problems with brakes, including reports of three crashes and two injuries.

The problem appears to be the anti-lock system, which can corrode and fail without warning if the brake fluid is not flushed and changed every two years.

How to stay on top of vehicle safety recalls

The NHTSA has created a recall database on their website. You can visit the site, type in your vehicle’s VIN and find out whether your car or motorcycle is subject to any safety recalls or a recall repair has been made on your vehicle in the past 15 years.

What can I do if I was injured because of a defective part on my motorcycle?

Safety equipment such as brakes are a vital part of any motor vehicle. If the brakes fail, a crash can occur, causing serious injuries and even death. An Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer at Harris Lowry Manton LLP can help you hold the responsible parties liable for your injuries and help you to recover compensation.

When a company allows a defective product to stay on the market because it values profit over safety, it is crucial that the company be held accountable. At Harris Lowry Manton LLP, our attorneys are experienced in this complicated area of law and are ready to assist you with your case. To arrange a no-obligation consultation, call us at 404-961-7650 at our Atlanta office, or in Savannah at 912-651-9967, or fill out our contact form.