How to know if a defect caused a bicycle crash?
A bicycle must have component parts for the rider to safely occupy, propel, steer, and stop. A defect that unexpectedly disrupts these essential functions can cause the rider to lose control, fall, or crash, resulting in serious injuries or death.
Determining if a bicycle defect caused a crash requires specialized knowledge of bicycle design, manufacture, mechanics, assembly, and safety standards. However, if you suspect a defect caused your crash and injuries, here are key questions we will answer in this article to help you identify if a bicycle defect may be involved and what to do next.
What is a bicycle defect?
What are some common signs or indicators a defect may have caused a bicycle crash?
What you should do next if you suspect a defect may have caused a bicycle crash and your injuries?
What is a bicycle defect?
A bicycle defect does not necessarily involve a mechanical or functional fault or flaw but can be anything that makes a bicycle unreasonably dangerous. An unreasonable danger is a risk of harm an ordinary user would not ordinarily expect or that is not outweighed by the benefits of the product design.
The cause of a bicycle or component part defect can from the design, manufacture, or assembly of the bicycle, or from an inadequate warning or instruction about any risk of harm from the intended or expected use of the bicycle.
Bicycles parts are made of many different parts and materials. All these parts or materials can fail for various reasons from structural integrity issues during design or the manufacturing process to improper assembly by cross threading bolts, failing to use grease or threadlocker, or under or over tightening parts.
Here are some common signs or indicators that a bicycle defect may be the reason for a bicycle crash.
A component part of the bicycle unexpectedly detaches from the bicycle while riding causing the rider to lose control, fall, or crash, such as:
A pedal detaching from the crank arm or from the pedal axle
The chainring or crank arm detaching from the spindle
Wheels or training wheels detaching if not properly secured with the bolts, quick release skewer, or axle
The seat or saddle detaching from the seat post
The handlebar or stem detaching from the bicycle stem
A component part of the bicycle unexpectedly loosens or breaks causing it move, shift, or slip, while steering, braking, or riding causing the rider to lose control, fall, or crash, and can include the:
Brake levers and hoods
Steerer tube, stem or handlebar
Seat or seat post
Crankset, chainring or crank arms
Wheels or rims
A component part fails to operate or perform as expected causing the rider to lose control, fall, or crash, for example:
Brake does not engage and the rider is unable to stop
Loss of steering control due to separation of the stem and steerer tube and fork
Frame, fork, or wheel rim breaks or cracks causing loss of balance
Tire experiences sudden and rapid airloss from separating or unseating from wheel rim or tube damage
The crash occurred shortly after the purchase of a new bicycle
No misuse, such as exceeding the bicycle’s intended use or structural weight limit
The bicycle or component part does not comply with applicable state or federal code, standard, or regulation
The bicycle or component part is part of a manufacturer or government agency hazard warning or product recall
What to do next if you suspect a bicycle defect is involved?
Preserve the bicycle in its condition immediately after the crash so it can be inspected and any physical evidence of a defect properly documented.
Do not attempt to fix the bicycle or component part.
Do not return the bicycle to the store of purchase.
Preserve any clothes, equipment, and electronic recording devices such as bike computer or digital watch (Apple Watch, etc.) worn at the time of the crash
Preserve any documentation related to the proof of purchase, maintenance work performed, and any User and Owner’s Manuals for the bicycle and any accessories
Don’t wait to contact an attorney. Notifying the manufacturer and seller about the issue within a certain period may be required for claims involving a product defect.
Knowledge about bicycle component design, manufacture, mechanics, assembly, and safety standards matters for winning bicycle product defect and negligent assembly cases. Dan is an avid cyclist, focuses his law practice on bicycle cases, and has experience litigating bicycle defect and negligent assembly issues against a large national corporate defendant. Knowing bicycle design and assembly helps present strong winning cases.
If you or someone you know suffered a injuries in a bicycle crash you think may be from a bicycle defect or improper assembly by the seller or manufacturer, please call us for free at 303-831-1116 or get in touch with us via our contact page at Contact Us.
If you found this post helpful, you might also like to explore the other topics listed below and the many other topics in our comprehensive Safety & Prevention Guide, Brain Injury Guide, and Bike Injury Guide.
