Motorcycle accidents often happen in a split second. Many people assume driver error is the cause. That’s not always true. Sometimes, the real problem is hidden. A faulty brake line. A cracked frame. Tires that don’t grip the road the way they should.
If a problem with the bike itself caused your crash, you may be asking: can you file a claim for a motorcycle accident caused by a vehicle defect? The answer is yes, and the process may be more complex than you think. A skilled Arkansas motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate claims involving defective parts that make your ride dangerous.
When those parts cause injuries, there are paths to compensation. Knowing what to do next can make a big difference in your physical and financial recovery.
What Counts as a Defective Motorcycle Part?
Manufacturers don’t always catch problems before their bikes hit the market. Even a small design or production flaw can lead to serious injuries or death. A part may also fail long before its expected life ends.
This can lead to a sudden loss of control.
Common defects that can cause motorcycle accidents include:
- Tires that lose grip or blow out without warning
- Brake systems that lock or fail completely
- Steering components that malfunction
- Fuel system issues that lead to fire or sudden loss of power
- Electrical defects that affect lights or ignition
- Frames or forks that crack under normal use
These problems are not always visible. You may not realize a defect caused your crash until weeks later. Investigations often reveal the truth through inspections, recalls, or expert mechanical analysis.
Who May Be Responsible for a Motorcycle Defect?
Not every accident caused by a faulty part is the rider’s fault. In Arkansas, several parties may be held responsible. Your claim might target a manufacturer or another business in the supply chain.
The following groups may be held accountable:
- The motorcycle manufacturer, if the defect was in the bike’s original design or assembly
- A parts supplier, if the issue came from an individual component
- A dealership, if they sold you a bike with a known issue or failed to disclose defects
- A mechanic, if poor installation or repairs led to failure
- A shipping company, if parts were damaged during transport and sold anyway
A strong claim requires evidence. You’ll need documentation and expert assessments to trace the source of the defect.
Types of Claims After a Defective Motorcycle Accident
Arkansas allows injury victims to pursue different legal claims after a crash. The type depends on the facts of the case. Each one requires specific evidence and a slightly different process.
You may be eligible to file one or more of these:
- Product liability claim, which holds manufacturers or sellers accountable for dangerous items
- Negligence claim, if someone failed to act reasonably when building, selling, or repairing the motorcycle
- Wrongful death claim, if a loved one passed away due to a defect-related crash
- Breach of warranty claim, if the product failed during its guaranteed use period
Arkansas law gives injury victims three years to file most personal injury lawsuits. However, some claims have shorter deadlines, especially if a government entity is involved.
How to Prove a Motorcycle Defect Caused Your Crash
Evidence is everything. If you suspect a defective part caused your crash, you must build a clear case. This often takes time and the help of professionals.
Steps to gather strong evidence include:
- Preserve the motorcycle in its post-accident condition
- Avoid making repairs or alterations until it’s inspected
- Obtain and keep all service and maintenance records
- Collect your medical records, especially those describing injuries consistent with equipment failure
- Get a copy of any police report from the scene
- Find out if the motorcycle or part was ever subject to a recall
In many cases, a mechanical expert will need to inspect the motorcycle. Their opinion may connect the failure to your injuries in a way that supports your claim.
What If There Was a Recall on the Bike or Part?
Recalls don’t automatically mean you can’t file a claim. In fact, they may help. If your crash involved a part that was already recalled, and you were never told about it, that can support your case.
Here’s how a recall may affect your claim:
- It shows the manufacturer was aware of the danger
- It may indicate the company didn’t do enough to warn consumers
- If you never received a recall notice, that may indicate negligence
- If the fix offered in the recall didn’t work, that supports your argument for damages
- You may still have a case even if you ignored the recall—depending on the facts
In Arkansas, fault is shared in some cases. If you are partially responsible for the accident, you may still recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Defective Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in crashes. There is little protection when a key system fails on the road. Riders are often thrown, dragged, or crushed.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), even with a helmet
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Broken bones in the arms, legs, or ribs
- Severe road rash, which can lead to infection
- Burns from fires caused by fuel system failures
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
These injuries often require long-term treatment. The cost can be high. Filing a claim can help you recover money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How a Claim Can Help You Recover Financially
A successful claim doesn’t just cover your doctor visits. It can help with every part of your recovery. If someone else caused your crash through a faulty part, you should not have to bear the costs alone.
You may be able to recover:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Follow-up care, rehab, and physical therapy
- Prescription medications and medical devices
- Lost wages if you missed work
- Loss of future earning ability if you cannot return to the same job
- Pain, suffering, and mental stress
- Property damage to your motorcycle and gear
The value of a claim depends on the facts. Severe injuries and long-term effects generally lead to higher compensation.
What to Do in the Weeks After a Defective Motorcycle Accident
Many people don’t take action right away after a motorcycle crash. That’s normal. The first days are usually focused on pain, recovery, and trying to get life back on track.
But in the weeks after, there are important things you can do to protect your health and your right to compensation.
In the weeks following your crash, you should:
- Follow all medical advice and attend every appointment
- Keep a daily record of your symptoms, pain levels, and emotional state
- Gather receipts for every expense related to your injury, including transportation
- Speak with your employer about missed work and ask for written documentation
- Stay off social media or avoid posting about the crash
- Talk with a product liability lawyer who has experience with motorcycle defect claims
These steps help create a record that shows the real effect of the accident. Insurance companies often try to minimize claims. A detailed record makes it harder for them to ignore the truth.
Common Defenses Used Against Motorcycle Defect Claims
Companies that make or sell motorcycles rarely admit fault without a fight. They often use legal defenses to avoid paying damages. It’s important to be aware of these tactics so you can prepare for them.
The most common defenses include:
- Blaming the rider for causing the accident through reckless behavior
- Claiming the part failed because of poor maintenance, not a defect
- Arguing the defect was obvious and you used the bike anyway
- Stating the bike was altered or customized in a way that caused the problem
- Saying the defect had nothing to do with the crash
The company may even try to settle early for a low amount before the defect is fully investigated. You should not agree to anything until all the facts are clear.
Arkansas Laws That May Affect Your Motorcycle Defect Case
Motorcycle accident claims involving defective parts fall under Arkansas product liability laws. These laws give injured people a path to compensation, but they also set certain limits and rules.
Important laws to keep in mind include:
- Comparative fault rule, which reduces your compensation if you’re partly at fault
- Three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, starting from the date of the crash
- Strict liability rule, which allows you to file a claim without proving negligence if the product was unreasonably dangerous
- Wrongful death law, which lets close family members file a lawsuit on behalf of someone who died in a crash
Some cases may also involve breach of contract or warranty claims, depending on the terms you agreed to when buying the motorcycle.
How Fault Is Determined in Motorcycle Defect Claims
Unlike standard traffic accidents, defect cases often require deep investigation. Police reports may not mention a defective part. To prove fault, you may need to dig further.
Fault is usually determined by:
- Independent mechanical inspections that reveal part failure
- Reviewing recall notices, internal memos, or service bulletins
- Gathering statements from witnesses, mechanics, or engineers
- Analyzing crash data and the motorcycle’s maintenance records
- Reconstructing the accident to show how the defect caused the crash
If a manufacturer knew about the issue but did nothing, that can also support your claim. Sometimes, older emails or reports surface showing that the danger was ignored.
Why Insurance May Not Be Enough After a Defective Motorcycle Crash
Insurance is supposed to cover you after an accident. But in cases involving defective parts, traditional coverage might not go far enough. The manufacturer may not be listed on your insurance policy.
Your carrier may even deny the claim if they think the crash wasn’t your fault.
Insurance may fall short in these ways:
- Low policy limits that don’t cover the full cost of care
- Refusal to pay for pain and suffering
- Delays in processing the claim while waiting for investigation results
- Confusion over whether the motorcycle, part, or rider is to blame
Filing a separate legal claim can help you pursue damages directly from the responsible party. You may need both types of compensation to cover all your costs.
When to Talk with a Lawyer About a Defective Motorcycle Crash
Not every motorcycle crash needs a lawyer. But when there’s a possible defect involved, the legal process becomes more complex. If you’ve been injured and think a mechanical failure caused the crash, getting legal help early is wise.
You should speak with a lawyer if:
- You or a loved one suffered serious injuries or death
- The accident involved a suspected mechanical failure
- You received a recall notice for the motorcycle or its parts
- The insurance company denied or delayed your claim
- You are being blamed unfairly for the crash
- You have medical bills or lost wages piling up
A good lawyer will investigate the defect, preserve evidence, and help you understand your options. They can deal with insurance companies and manufacturers while you focus on healing.
The Bottom Line: You Can File a Claim After a Defective Motorcycle Accident
You don’t need to suffer in silence if a faulty part caused your crash. Can you file a claim for a motorcycle accident caused by a vehicle defect? Yes—and doing so can help you recover money for your injuries, hold the right party accountable, and prevent future accidents from happening to others.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash that may have involved a defective part, talk to a lawyer about your options. You don’t have to take on manufacturers or insurance companies alone.
A knowledgeable legal team, like experienced Arkansas personal injury lawyers , can stand up for you, uncover the cause of the crash, and fight for fair compensation.
If you’re in Rogers or the surrounding areas and want answers from a team that puts your recovery first, contact Caddell Reynolds Law Firm. Call (479) 252-9303 to schedule a free consultation.