Even in warm weather, motorcyclists have an elevated risk of injury on New Jersey roadways. In the cold, tire defects on their bikes can result in an even greater risk of severe or catastrophic injuries. If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and believe that a cold motorcycle tire defect is to blame, contact the skilled motorcycle accident attorneys at Nagel Rice LLP as soon as possible.
Our legal team has extensive experience in motorcycle accident personal injury lawsuits and has won nearly $30 million in damages for bikers injured by the negligence of others. Once you become our clients, we will investigate your case thoroughly and work hard to prove that product liability is the cause of your injury so that we can obtain the funds you are entitled to for medical expenses, lost income, and related expenses.
How Cold Temperatures Affect Motorcycle Performance
Most bikers know how important it is to check the air pressure in their tires before and during long rides. This is because a 10-degree drop in air temperature can cause a one to two-pound drop in tire pressure. This in turn can have a major effect on motorcycle performance in terms of:
- Decreased load capacity
- Difficult steering
- Reduced ground clearance
- Uneven tire tread wear
- Internal damage to the tire
- Separation of the tire from its rim
In cold tire motorcycle accidents, all too frequently excessive braking or use of throttle can cause a rear tire to break loose, resulting in a tip over. This is especially problematic when there is a passenger adding more weight to the rear of the bike during a turn.
As a motorcyclist, it’s important to be aware of just how much tire pressure, which can be majorly affected by manufacturing defects, can impair your ability to control your bike.
When Your Injury Results from a Cold Motorcycle Tire Defect
Determining the cause of a motorcycle accident can be tricky, but our motorcycle accident attorneys are up to the task. Not only do we do excellent investigative work, but we are connected to experts in various fields who can provide informed testimony when necessary.
Indications that a tire defect may be at fault for your accident include:
- The tires on your motorcycle were purchased shortly before the accident
- The tires were making strange noises before the accident occurred
- Right before the crash, your motorcycle wobbled or you lost control of the front wheel
- Your motorcycle was carrying a heavy load or a passenger when you crashed
- There were no other obvious causes for the accident (e.g. a drunk or impaired motorist, poor weather, or bad road conditions)
If your bike suddenly changed directions or flipped, it may have been due to the loss of front-wheel tire pressure. If, on the other hand, your motorcycle swayed or went into an uncontrolled skid, the cause may have been lost pressure or a blowout of the back tire.
Who is the responsible party?
While most tire defects occur during the manufacturing process, the cause of your accident may also be that you were sold an old tire that had been improperly stored. If a tire is left out in the heat or cold for long periods, the following damage may result:
- Separation of the tread from the body of the tire
- Defective rims that may cut tires and cause blowouts
- Bead failures
- Tire zipper failures
- Multi-piece wheel explosions
It should be noted that some tire defects can injure the biker (and others) during a blow-out not on the road but during the process of inflation. If you were injured in either type of product defect accident, our motorcycle accident attorneys will aggressively protect your rights.
If the manufacturer, seller, or mechanic who provided or recently inspected the tire bears responsibility for the accident, you can count on our sharp attorneys to find that out and to provide you with the legal support you need to hold them accountable.
Depending on circumstances, one of the following parties may owe you damages:
- The designer of the unfit tire
- The manufacturer who used substandard materials or made an error during production
- The seller of the tire who stored the tire improperly, causing it to deteriorate
- The motorcycle mechanic who installed the tires incorrectly
Potential Damages for Your Cold Motorcycle Tire Defect Accident
The law entitles you to be compensated for your economic and noneconomic losses when your injury was caused by another’s negligence. Therefore, assuming we can prove the tire that resulted in your motorcycle crash was defective, we will work hard to get you a settlement or courtroom verdict to cover whichever of the following apply in your case:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income – present and future
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Replacement services
Wrongful Death
If a defective tire has resulted in the loss of a close relative, our motorcycle accident attorneys know that no amount of money is fair compensation. Nonetheless, we will do everything in our power to bring you damages for final medical costs, funeral costs, and loss of financial and emotional support in the hope that this will bring you a semblance of justice.
Contact Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
Because at Nagel Rice we know how overwhelming a serious motorcycle accident can be, financially, physically, and emotionally, we will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win your case. Contact us now so we can begin fighting to secure your future.