According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an investigation is underway in response to reports of accidents caused by failing brakes on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Since Harley-Davidson motorcycles are popular on Nevada’s open roads, several personal injury cases have been filed with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney.
NHTSA Investigation
NHTSA has started investigations into approximately 430,000 alleged brake failures with Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The Harley-Davidson investigation will cover model years from 2008 through 2011 that are equipped with a specific anti-lock braking system.
According to NHTSA reports, it has received 43 complaints about brakes suddenly failing without warning on these Harley-Davidson models. Of the 43 complaints received, there were at least three motorcycle accidents and two resulted in serious injuries to bike riders and/or passengers. In Nevada, a Las Vegas personal injury attorney often handles personal injury cases that involve serious injuries like broken bones, neck and back injuries, and head trauma from motorcycle accidents.
Preliminary investigations show that the problems appear to be connected to brake fluid. According to Harley, brake fluid is supposed to be replaced every two years in affected models. If that isn’t done, it may contribute to a lack of braking capacity for riders. According to Harley-Davidson, if brake fluid isn’t changed at suggested intervals, the old fluid can absorb moisture and corrode the anti-lock brake system’s actuator valves. If this occurs, the valves will not work properly. Preliminary reports show that many Harley-Davidson owners of affected models are not changing the brake fluid as required. The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the cause of current braking problems by looking into whether the bike is solely to blame or whether the riders bear some responsibility.
Harley-Davidson Recalls
Recalls of Harley-Davidson motorcycles have surged in the past two years. U.S. government data shows that approximately 210,000 Harley motorcycles were recalled in 2014, and 312,000 motorcycles were recalled in 2015. That compares with a yearly average of 94,000 recalls in years prior to 2013. In 2015, Harley-Davidson’s senior vice president in charge of manufacturing stated in an interview that the Milwaukee-based company was studying its design, manufacturing, testing and sourcing of supplies to see how future flaws in bikes could be avoided.
In 2014 and 2015, Harley-Davidson recalls did not involve sudden braking problems but did include several other serious flaws including:
- A defective cylinder that prevented disengaging of the clutch
- A defective fuel-pump seal that caused gas leaks
- A defective clasp that allowed saddlebags to fly off the back of the motorcycle
During the past two years, Harley reported 35 crashes or other incidents from these defects and six accidents that involved minor injuries. In 2104, Harley corrected defects by using engine-cooling technology and installing hydraulic clutches on some models. Previous problems with clutches led to a recall in October 2013 that included an unusual “do-not-ride” warning.
Motorcycle Accidents in Nevada
When comparing accident and injury statistics for motorcycle accidents in Nevada to accident and injury statistics involving other types of vehicles, it’s obvious that more serious injuries occur to motorcycle riders. Motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to die in traffic accidents than people in passenger vehicles. A Las Vegas personal injury attorney sees many more serious injuries in motorcycle riders than passenger car drivers. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT):
- In 2010, motorcycles were involved in 45 fatal Nevada accidents, 30 that occurred in Clark County.
- In 2010, there were a total of 1,045 motorcycle accidents in Nevada. 172 accidents resulted in property damage, 822 accidents resulted in physical injuries, and 48 accidents resulted in fatal collisions.
- In a comparison of accidents involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, motorcycle accidents accounted for 79 percent of injuries and 4.6 percent of fatalities.Passenger vehicles accounted for 36 percent of injuries and only 0.2 5 percent of fatalities.
- In 2010, motorcycles only accounted for 1 percent of all Nevada collisions, but 13 percent of those collisions involved fatalities and a Las Vegas personal injury attorney.
In Nevada, all motorcyclists are required by law to wear a helmet while riding their bikes on roads or highways. The helmet must fit all standards detailed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. There is only one exception to this rule: a helmet is not required for motorcycles with less than two horsepower or motorcycles that can’t travel faster than 30 mph. A Las Vegas personal injury attorney often sees head trauma that may have been prevented by a helmet.
Nevada motorcyclists must be issued a Class M driver’s license. To get this license, a person must request a written and skills test with the Nevada DMV or enroll and pass an approved safety course. In Nevada, it is illegal to operate a motorcycle on a public road or highway without a Class M license.
