Defective Bicycles Can Put Riders at Risk of Accidents and Injuries
When you purchase a bicycle, you probably did so with one thing in mind – riding. It probably never crossed your mind that bicycles can be made poorly or have design defects that could lead to a bicycle accident and serious injuries. Although rare, this has been the case from time to time, and was recently brought to light again in the news.
Over one million bicycles have been recalled by 13 different manufacturers due to a quick release issue. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 1.3 million bicycles were recalled in the United States, 245,000 in Canada, and 9,000 in Mexico. And almost one million of these bikes that are being recalled in the U.S. and Canada are Trek bikes.
The Problem With These Recalled Bikes
The quick release levers that hold a bicycle’s front wheel on can open beyond 180 degrees. This can allow it to come in contact with the front disc brake assembly. In this event, the bicycle’s wheel can come to an abrupt stop or the wheel can separate from the bike altogether. When the bike suddenly stops or the wheel comes off, the rider can be placed at a serious risk of crashing and suffering critical injuries.
Injuries Reported
Trek, the main bicycle manufacturer involved in this recall, reported three injuries as a result of the problem with the quick release levers, including:
- One bicycle accident resulted in permanent quadriplegia for one cyclist
- Another bicycle crash resulted in facial injuries for another cyclist
- The third bicycle accident caused a rider to suffer a fractured wrist
The Trek bicycles that are affected by this recall were sold from September 1999 through April 2015 between $480 and $1,650, and are just the bikes equipped with front disc brakes and a quick release lever on the front wheel hub.
What Should Bicyclists Do Now
Riders should check to see if their bike is or isn’t affected by the recall by going to www.cpsc.gov and reading the bicycle recall information. If riders are affected by the recall, they are being asked to stop riding their bike immediately and contact the manufacturer. The bicycle manufacturer will provide a free installation of a new quick release on the front wheel.
When Serious Injuries Occur, Serious Legal Representation Should Be Sought
The fact that one rider became permanently paralyzed due to this bicycle defect is a very serious issue. Life as that rider knew it is forever changed. When bicyclists suffer permanent injuries or temporary injuries that cause them to miss work and income or enjoy their hobbies and interests, they need to be compensated for their damages and losses.
If a bicycle manufacturer is to blame for a bicycle crash and injury, it is essential to a victim’s financial recovery that a skilled attorney is contacted. An accident attorney who has experience handling bicycle accident cases in Florida can negotiate your claim to the fullest in order to get you the most compensation possible. Call the Law Offices of David Benenfeld in Sunrise at 866-9 HELP NOW or 866-943-5766 for a free consultation today.
