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While your safety on your motorcycle depends on other drivers, some matters are under your control, such as the maintenance of your bike. You are expected to act reasonably by properly inspecting and maintaining your bike to check for any potential defects or mechanical issues. If you fail to do so, it can even put your legal case in jeopardy if you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident.
If you have been hurt in a crash, reach out to our West Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer from Desai Law to learn about your legal rights. We can identify when someone else should be liable for your injuries and even go after manufacturing corporations when needed.
Why Pre-Ride Safety Checks Matter
A motorcycle is a delicate piece of machinery that must work perfectly for you to have a safe ride. Bikes are much more sensitive than cars and can be less forgiving of mechanical failures. If you lose control of your bike because of an accident, you can sustain serious injuries, especially if you are thrown from the motorcycle.
Even a small mechanical issue in a motorcycle can lead to serious consequences. You might detect some issues through a pre-ride inspection, but not all defects are apparent. Further, if you can prove that you performed the necessary maintenance and inspections on your bike, you can more easily push back if you are accused of fault in an accident that potentially involved a mechanical issue with your motorcycle.
Common Mechanical Failures That May Cause Motorcycle Accidents
No matter how proficient you are as a motorcyclist, you are at risk of a serious accident if your bike has a defect or mechanical failure. These failures can arise without warning, resulting in losing control over your bike.
Some common mechanical failures that can lead to a motorcycle accident include the following:
- Brake failure
- Tire blowouts
- Chain or belt failure
- Lighting/electrical failure
- Steering or suspension issues
A pre-ride inspection can potentially catch these issues before you take your motorcycle out onto the road, saving you from a possible serious bike accident.
Your Pre-Ride Inspection Checklist
The National Motorcycle Safety Foundation has its recommended pre-ride safety inspection checklist. You should perform these checks each time you get ready to ride your motorcycle. The inspection method is called TCLOCS, which is an acronym for the individual steps that are a part of the inspection process. The individual steps in the TCLOCS method include:
- Tires and wheels: You should visually inspect the tires and wheels for any signs of wear or damage. You should also check tire pressure and the depth of the tread.
- Controls: These include things like the throttle, clutch, and brake levers. You should check that the controls work and can be moved back and forth from the resting position. Controls also include things like brake pads and cables that you should check for wear and tear.
- Lights and Electrics: You should manually check that all of the lights and signals on your bike are working properly. You should also perform an inspection of the battery and vent tube.
- Oil and Fluids: Check all the fluid levels on the bike, including your fuel and engine oil. You should also check for leaks of these fluids because they can get much worse when your motorcycle is in operation.
- Chassis: You should inspect the frame, suspension, chain, and fasteners for any cracks or missing bolts.
- Stands: Finally, you should check the stands on the bike to ensure they are working properly. This includes both the center and side stand.
This inspection should not take too long to complete, but the consequences of not performing it can be serious. If the pre-ride inspection reveals any issues with your motorcycle, you should not ride until they are repaired. Taking just a few minutes before you head out onto the road can be one of the smartest investments of time that you can possibly make.
The Legal Benefits of Pre-Ride Safety Checks
When you file a personal injury claim due to motorcycle accident injuries, you may feel as if you are the one who is on trial. The insurance company is going over your case with a fine-tooth comb to find a way to try to cast some blame on you. They may hone in on the condition of your motorcycle as a possible cause for the accident. Then, you need to show that you took the proper steps to care for and maintain your bike.
Your motorcycle accident case might be against someone other than a driver. You may be claiming that a defective part was to blame for the crash, and you are suing the manufacturer or dealer. In this case, you may need to show that you took all necessary steps to learn of the existence of a defect, which includes a pre-ride inspection. The insurance company will put the onus on you to learn of issues with your bike, and the failure to be vigilant can cost you.
In addition, you may find that you are subject to a degree of bias from the insurance company, and even potentially a jury. Insurance companies try to take advantage of the perception that bikers are riskier than the average person. If you can prove that you have taken prudent steps, such as inspecting your bike every time you ride, you may win some credibility as a responsible motorcyclist.
Contact a Morgantown Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in Morgantown, you need a legal team that understands the unique challenges riders face. At Desai Law, we are committed to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. We fight insurance companies so you do not have to. Contact Desai Law online or call us at (304) 974-1974 today for a free consultation with a trusted Morgantown motorcycle accident lawyer. Let us get you back on the road to recovery.