Florida Motorcycle Product Safety Recall Alert : Victory Motorcycles Recalled Due to Passenger Injury Hazard
Automobile safety recalls routinely make the news headlines -- particularly when it's a popular make and model with auto product liability issues, affecting large numbers of vehicles and owners (such as the widespread Toyota safety recalls of recent years).
We hear less about motorcycle safety recalls, but they do happen. As an experienced Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyer knows from work with clients, Florida's hundreds of thousands of registered motorcycle operators depend on the sound operation of their vehicles -- for their own safety, that of their passengers, and the safety of other Florida motorists.
Last month the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration listed a motorcycle safety recall that may affect some motorcycle owners in South Florida. The recall, which was published on Aug. 5, 2011, was expected to begin on or before Aug. 30, 2011. The recall stated that Manufacturer Polaris…
…is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Victory Kingpin motorcycles and model year 2006-2011 Victory Jackpot motorcycles manufactured from January 1, 2004, through May 1, 2011, equipped with accessory seats, part numbers 2876641-01 seat, Kingpin Touring, Double Backrest and part number 2875961-01 seat, Jackpot Touring w/backrest. The backrest support can separate from the motorcycle while in use. The passenger can be injured or fall from the motorcycle should this occur. Victory will notify owners and dealers will replace the affected seats free of charge.(See link to NHTSA report below.)
Statistically, motorcycle drivers and passengers are counted in traffic accident injury and fatality numbers for the state of Florida.
According to a recent Florida state report, motorcycle accident injuries and deaths in Fla. have declined (from 532 deaths and 9,402 injuries in 2008 to 402 deaths and 8,202 injuries in 2009) -- though overall motorcycle registrations in the state are also decreasing. In 2009, there were 586,537 motorcycles registered in the state of Florida, compared to 649,210 registered in 2008. (Source: Florida Traffic Safety Facts Oct. 2010: Motorcycles, Report Compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.)
Florida remains a popular state for motorcyclists, given the warm weather, beautiful coastline, and events-driven tourism (such as Daytona's world famous Bike Week). Though progress has been made in regards to motorcycle traffic safety, and lives have been saved -- Fla. remains a dangerous state in which to operate a motorcycle. Motorcycle operators and passengers are especially vulnerable to traumatic injury (include head and spine injury) and death when involved in a traffic accident with cars, trucks, and SUVs. Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes also account for a large percentage of biker deaths.
See our Motorcycle Accidents FAQs for more information about what to do if you're injured or a loved one is hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in South Florida.
Related Florida Accident Attorney Article:
New Florida Motorcycle Traffic Accident Fatality Statistics Show Crash Death Rates Declining, But It's Still a Dangerous State for Bikers (Aug. 31, 2011)
Source:
SAFETY DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES RECEIVED DURING JULY 2011 (PDF)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration August 5, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Polaris : Victory Motorcycles website
