The number of recall notices either issued voluntarily by manufacturers or ordered by federal authorities has increased significantly in the United States over the past several years, with 2025 in particular being a record-setting year in this regard. Unfortunately, the automotive industry is responsible for a substantial portion of these recalls, and sometimes those notices come too late to prevent vehicle owners and passengers from suffering serious and sometimes entirely preventable harm.
Civil litigation over motorcycle defects and recalls in Houston can be challenging in many ways, as these claims generally proceed very differently in procedural terms compared to standard personal injury lawsuits. Fortunately, you have support available from the motorcycle injury attorneys at KGS Law PLLC, where we have years of experience helping people like you through claims like yours.
Strict Liability for Defects in Motorcycles and Motorcycle Parts
It is possible to sue a motorcycle manufacturer over a dangerous defect under the legal theory of negligence. This involves proving that a specific reckless or careless act by the manufacturer directly led to you suffering injury while using their product. Most of the time, however, lawsuits over defective motorcycle components are built around a theory of strict liability instead.
In brief, a manufacturer is strictly liable for your injuries caused by a defective product they made and sold if all the following conditions are met:
- The product had a serious problem with its core design, was manufactured or assembled improperly, or lacked sufficient instructions for safe use when it left its maker’s direct control
- The product’s condition did not meaningfully change between when it left its maker’s direct control and when you took possession of it
- The defect in question directly caused you to suffer an injury requiring professional medical care that you likely would not have sustained if the product had not been defective
- You were using the product for its intended purpose and in a reasonable way when you were injured
Our Houston attorneys could explain the process for suing over motorcycle defects and recalls in more detail during a private initial consultation.
How Do Recall Notices Affect Defective Product Lawsuits?
You must be able to prove that you had no forewarning of the defect that injured you in order to hold a manufacturer strictly liable for it. One of the many reasons manufacturers issue recall notices is to warn consumers of a defective product.
Therefore, if you received a recall notice for a defect in your motorcycle before you were injured due to the defect, you likely would not have strong grounds to sue over your injuries. However, our Houston lawyers may be able to help you build a successful claim if you were injured due to a defect before a recall notice went out, or if your motorcycle’s manufacturer did not follow federally mandated procedures for issuing lawful recall notices.
Speak With a Houston Attorney About Motorcycle Defects and Recalls
An unexpected malfunction in a motorcycle can cause injuries such as lacerations and severe burns or result in high-speed crashes that leave those involved with life-threatening trauma. Accordingly, motorcycle manufacturers are expected to take extensive precautions while designing, building, and shipping these machines in order to ensure that they are reasonably safe for consumer use.
If you were hurt because your motorcycle’s maker failed to meet this expectation, you may have legal options, and we could help you take full advantage of these. Call KGS Law PLLC today to learn more about lawsuits over motorcycle defects and recalls in Houston.