National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Looking into Harley-Davidson Motorcycles for Brake Failure

The NHTSA is investigating some motorcycles produced by Harley-Davidson after complaints of the brakes failing without any warning. The investigation is exploring bikes made between 2008 and 2011 and impacts more than 430,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These motorcycles have antilock braking systems that fail suddenly and could put the driver of the bike at risk of serious injury.

A Harley-Davidson spokesperson indicated that they were aware of the investigation and plan to cooperate with the NHTSA. The traffic safety regulator decided to take action after receiving 43 separate complaints, two reports of injuries and three reports of crashes associated with the brake failure.

One of the issues that can contribute to a sudden brake failure is forgetting to change the brake fluid which needs to be replaced within a two-year period. Defective parts on your motorcycle can contribute to sudden accidents with devastating repercussions. It is important to make sure your bike is always properly maintained so as to minimize the chances of being hurt in an accident.

If you have already been injured in a motorcycle accident, make sure to remain calm at the scene of the accident. Call the police to notify them about the crash and move any debris or people out of the way of oncoming traffic. You’ll need to exchange contact information with the other parties and it’s also a good idea to take pictures of video of the scene. Keep all evidence associated with the crash, as it may be useful for your Erie personal injury attorney. 

Make sure that your bike is regularly looked at by a maintenance professional and stay on top of all maintenance needs to protect your own safety as well as that of others on the road. Being mindful of motorcycle maintenance goes a long way towards preventing accidents and injuries that could hurt you or others.