Identifying and addressing a recall right away can make a significant difference in your ability to safely take your freedom on two wheels for a spin at the end of a long day. When you have concerns about your vehicle being subject to a recall, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s website to learn more. Additionally, if you discover a fundamental defect—such as a structural problem with the tires—you can use the NHTSA website to report this, which may go a long way towards protecting others, too.
At Shook & Stone, our seasoned motorcycle crash attorneys understand how important it is for you to get timely assistance and updates when your chopper has a fundamental issue with it or is the subject of a recall. We have helped many bike enthusiasts successfully navigate the nuances of motorcycle defects and recalls in Reno, and we welcome the chance to do the same for you.
What Is a Defect, and How Do You Know if Your Bike Is Defective?
During the course of owning your motorcycle, you may have run into problems you need to fix or maintenance that needs to be performed. In contrast to something that is a routine part of owning a vehicle, a defect is when there is something fundamentally wrong with a chopper. For example, the body covering may easily fall off when someone rides the auto as they normally would—as opposed to this happening when they are doing high-intensity activities.
Defects can come in a couple of different forms, such as those based on the underlying design of the vehicle, the parts used to make it, or how they are assembled by the manufacturer. To find out if your motorcycle is defective, you would have to take it to the dealership or the mechanic to have them check and see if they find any issues. Under Nevada Revised Statutes § 597.610, if something about the vehicle poses a significant safety risk or makes it undrivable, the law may require you to notify the manufacturer within one year after it was sold.
As explained in Nev. Rev. Stat. § 597.690, the manufacturer may have to address safety defects—e.g., by repairing or replacing the vehicle—without any cost to you. Riding a road-ready motorcycle helps protect you and your loved ones from getting into collisions. An important piece of safeguarding yourself against these types of events in Reno is to be able to identify and swiftly address defects and recalls involving your bike.
How Do You Find Out if Your Motorcycle Is Part of a Recall?
When multiple consumers file a complaint about the same issue on one automobile, the manufacturer and the NHTSA may release a public recall. Through this process, they connect individual Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) with known or potential problems. For example, you may have heard about widespread recalls for airbags and tires throughout the years.
If you think your bike may be part of a recall—or want to check if it is—you can discover this information by going to the NHTSA’s website and using their free lookup tool. It may require you to perform a search using the VIN associated with your vehicle, which it will use to cross-reference with notices in its database. Ideally, you should receive a document—either through the mail, electronically, or both—that warns you about possible recalls and defects in Reno that may impact your motorcycle.
Worried About a Defect or Recall With Your Motorcycle? Contact a Reno Attorney for Help
In an ideal world, every manufacturer would not make any mistakes or cut corners when designing, producing, assembling, and distributing motorcycles; however, these types of mistakes can arise. When your bike has a fundamental defect that came with it—rather than something from ordinary wear and use—you may be entitled to compensation, such as fully paid for repairs or a replacement vehicle.
Our steadfast legal team at Shook & Stone is extremely dedicated to advocating for the rights of those who ride their bikes and café racers regularly. When you have questions about motorcycle defects and recalls in Reno and how these may impact you, contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your concerns.
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