Who Can Be Sued After an Accident Caused by a Defective Bicycle?

Imagine this: You’re riding your bicycle and enjoying the outdoors when, suddenly, you’re involved in a horrific accident. The accident was unexpected because it only involved your bicycle, which stopped working properly at the last second. If you have been injured in a bicycle crash and you believe it was due to a defect in your bicycle, you have options. You may be entitled to compensation for the injuries that you have sustained.

Common Defects in Bicycles 

You may be wondering, what actually makes a bicycle defective? There are actually three different product liability defects that can show up in a bicycle accident claim, including the following:

Defective Design: There are sometimes cases where an engineer made an error and did not see the potential danger in a bicycle’s design. A consumer can expect certain things in the design of a bicycle. However, they would never expect there to be sharp, protruding parts or ill-fitting pieces that can cause them to become involved in a serious accident. A designer should always find an alternative design if they believe that the first design could be dangerous. 

Manufacturing Defect: A manufacturing defect could occur when a manufacturer makes errors or cuts corners by using cheap materials for a bicycle. If you plan to bring a claim against a manufacturer, your claim will fall under strict liability. This means that the manufacturer did not have to know about the defect or intend to cause injury for you to be successful in your claim. Your attorney will only have to show that the product was defective and led to your accident and injuries. 

Lack of Adequate Warnings: Sometimes, a product is just inherently dangerous and needs to come with warning labels or instructions. Though you are expected to know how to reasonably use a bicycle, there could be cases where this type of liability applies.

As you can see, there are multiple parties who could be at fault for a bicycle-related accident claim. A number of entities could actually be liable in one of these claims, including all commercial sellers of the product down the line. Preserving evidence in your claim is one of the best ways that you can move forward with a successful case against any one of these parties in the chain.

Common Injuries Stemming from Bicycle Accidents 

A defective bicycle could lead to a serious accident involving yourself or other parties. This means that there is a high risk for injuries both minor and severe in nature. Some of the most common injuries that stem from bicycle accidents include the following:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Dental damage
• Facial lacerations
• Injuries to the shoulder or wrist
• Leg and arm injuries

The injuries sustained in a bicycle accident can be traumatic and life-altering. They can also signal a long road to recovery that you may not be prepared to face on your own. If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, you should speak with an attorney immediately.

Bringing a Successful Pennsylvania Bicycle Claim 

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident and believe that it was caused by a defect, you may wonder what options are available for you. It is important that you speak with a dedicated Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who has handled bicycle accident claims in the past. At Edelstein Martin & Nelson, we understand the ins and outs of product liability law concerning your claim and will provide you with the resources you need to be successful in your case. Our attorneys are here for you when you need us the most. Please do not hesitate to contact a product liability attorney in Pennsylvania at (215) 731-9900 for more information.