Motorcycle safety involves more than wearing a helmet. You also need to regularly inspect your motorcycle to identify any defective or worn parts so they can be replaced. No matter how carefully you operate your motorcycle, you are vulnerable if your motorcycle isn’t working properly. At Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, our team has helped many people seek financial compensation after a crash. Contact us today to speak with a Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer about your case.
What Parts Can Malfunction on a Motorcycle?
A motorcycle can become unmanageable when any of the following parts fail to work properly:
- Tires. A blown tire can flip a motorcycle and make it impossible to safely stay in your lane. Many accidents happen because of tire blowouts.
- Brakes. When the brakes fail, you cannot stop your motorcycle in time and can easily crash into another vehicle or simply lose control.
- Lights. When lights burn out, a motorcycle is harder to see on the road. Your risk of a collision increases, especially at dusk and in the evening.
- Engine. A faltering engine can lose power at critical moments, such as when you are trying to make a turn at an intersection. Consequently, you could end up hit by another vehicle coming through.
- Chassis. The chassis includes the frame, suspension, and steering system. When the chassis is faulty, then a motorcycle can crash.
The risk of a single-vehicle collision also climbs when a motorcycle malfunctions. Indeed, many single-vehicle accidents stem from defects on the motor vehicle.
Does Georgia Require Motorcycle Inspections?
Yes. When applying for a Class M license in Georgia, your motorcycle will need to pass an inspection before you can undertake the riding test.
Pre-Ride Inspections
Before heading out onto the road, a motorcyclist should check the following:
- Tires. Check the pressure to ensure your tires are properly inflated. It’s dangerous to ride when the pressure is too high or too low. Ensure it is within the manufacturer’s recommended range. Also check the tread to see if it is worn.
- Brakes. Check the brake pads for wear or damage and replace them immediately. You can also check the rotors for any scoring. A leaky brake line should also be fixed before going out for a ride.
- Fluids. Various fluids are essential for the safe operation of a motorcycle. You should regularly check the level of engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid. Only use recommended fluids.
- Chain. Ensure the chain does not have rust or missing O rings. A properly functioning chain helps ensure the smooth transfer of power, which allows motorcycles to take defensive action and avoid a collision.
- Lights. Double check that the lights are working. If not, then replace the burnt-out bulbs. Lights are essential, especially in the dark, because another motorist might not see any hand signal you give.
Legal Consequences of Failing to Inspect Your Motorcycle
What happens if your motorcycle crashes because you did not perform an inspection? In that situation, you might be legally liable for a crash.
Motorcycle owners have a duty to perform regular inspections of their bikes and ensure defective parts are fixed or replaced. It’s a type of negligence to know a motorcycle is defective but ride it anyway. It’s also negligent to fail to inspect the motorcycle regularly. A prudent person would ensure their motorcycle is working properly before heading out.
If your bike crashes, you could be at fault for any injuries and property damage. For example, you might crash into a pedestrian because the brake pads fail. In that case, you could be on the hook for compensation to the victim.
How often should you inspect the motorcycle? There are no hard and fast rules. Before every trip is ideal. At a minimum, you should inspect whenever you have reason to suspect something is wrong.
It also matters how you perform repairs. You can be negligent if you attempted repairs but performed them clumsily. There’s no advantage to changing the brake pads if you don’t know what you are doing. Take your motorcycle to a mechanic for professional repair work. That way, you ensure your motorcycle functions properly and you limit any legal liability in the event you crash.
Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to Talk about an Accident
Regular inspections and maintenance can save motorcycle owners considerable amounts of money. You also protect public safety. Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers is a firm of talented lawyers who care about the safety of our roads. If you were injured in a crash, contact us to schedule a meeting. You very well could have an injury claim for compensation.