Bicycle Accidents from Defective Equipment

Sometimes the Bike Itself Is the Cause of the Crash

Most cyclists assume that accidents come from careless drivers or dangerous roads. But sometimes, the danger comes from the bike itself. A cracked frame, a failing brake line, or a faulty tire can send a rider flying without warning. These failures aren’t bad luck. They’re often defects, design flaws, manufacturing mistakes, or improper assembly.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys have represented New Yorkers injured not because of reckless drivers, but because a product meant to keep them safe broke apart beneath them. These cases are different, but the impact is just as severe. A defect can turn a peaceful ride over the Williamsburg Bridge into an ambulance ride to Bellevue.

Common Equipment Failures in New York Cases

Cyclists in the city depend on bikes for commuting, deliveries, and recreation. When equipment fails, it often happens without warning and in the worst possible place, mid-ride, surrounded by traffic.

We’ve seen cases involving:

• Brake system failures, leaving riders unable to stop at intersections.
• Cracked frames or forks, collapsing under normal use.
• Defective tires or rims, blowing out during rides.
• Handlebar or seat post failures, throwing cyclists off balance.
• Gear and chain malfunctions, causing sudden loss of control.

Delivery cyclists, in particular, put heavy miles on their equipment. When parts are poorly made or assembled, the risks multiply. The fact that these failures often occur in crowded areas like Midtown or near the Manhattan Bridge makes them even more dangerous.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Defective Bicycle Equipment

Defective equipment cases often fall under product liability law. That means responsibility doesn’t stop with the rider, it can extend to multiple parties.

• Manufacturers: responsible for poor design, weak materials, or flaws in the production process.
• Distributors and retailers: liable when they sell unsafe bikes or components.
• Assembly and repair shops: accountable when improper installation or negligent repairs contribute to the crash.

New York law holds all of these players accountable when their products create unreasonable dangers. And when the defect involves a federal supplier, say, a bike distributed under a government program, claims may fall under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). That law requires victims to follow strict filing deadlines, starting with an administrative claim within two years.

Cyclists shouldn’t have to choose between riding safely and trusting defective equipment. That responsibility falls squarely on the companies that profit from these products.

Evidence That Proves Equipment Defects

Unlike driver negligence, which might be caught on video or witnessed, proving equipment defects takes a different type of evidence. These cases rely on showing that the failure was rooted in the product itself, not in user error or poor maintenance.

Evidence often includes:

• Physical inspection of the bicycle by engineers or product experts.
• Design documents and recall notices proving known flaws.
• Maintenance records showing the bike was kept in good condition before failure.
• Expert testimony connecting the defect directly to the crash.
• Comparisons to similar failures, sometimes tied to class actions or past recalls.

In New York courts, this evidence often makes the difference between a dismissed claim and a significant recovery. Under federal law, particularly FTCA cases, presenting this evidence early is crucial since late-stage surprises are rarely allowed.

Vermont Provides Narrower Remedies Against Manufacturers Than New York

Not every state offers cyclists the same level of protection. Vermont, for example, has narrower remedies against manufacturers compared to New York.

• Comparative negligence in Vermont follows the modified rule. If cyclists are found more than 50% responsible, say, for “improper use," their claims fail. In New York, even if the cyclist is mostly at fault, partial recovery is still possible under CPLR § 1411.
• Damages for non-economic harm like pain and suffering are typically smaller in Vermont verdicts.
• Statutory protections for consumers are stronger in New York, making product liability claims more viable.

That means a cracked frame causing a crash on Atlantic Avenue could support strong claims in Brooklyn but might not provide similar recovery in Burlington.

Financial Remedies for Victims of Defective Bicycle Equipment

Accidents caused by defective bikes lead to the same devastating injuries as vehicle collisions, fractures, spinal injuries, and head trauma. Victims face long recoveries and mounting bills. New York law allows recovery across several categories of damages.

Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses, from immediate ER visits to rehabilitation and future care.
• Lost wages, when injuries keep victims from working or reduce their earning ability.
• Non-economic damages, covering pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful death claims, under EPTL § 5-4.1, allowing families to recover for funeral costs and lost support.

Unlike FTCA cases, where punitive damages are barred, private product liability suits may allow punitive damages if manufacturers ignored known dangers or failed to issue recalls. Those damages don’t just compensate, they punish companies for prioritizing profit over safety.

Why Product Liability Matters in Bicycle Cases

It’s easy for manufacturers to blame cyclists: wrong gear, poor maintenance, or “riding too hard.” But in reality, riders expect equipment to hold up under normal use. Product liability law exists to balance that equation.

Holding manufacturers accountable serves two purposes. It ensures individual victims aren’t left to shoulder the costs of corporate negligence, and it forces companies to improve safety for every rider. Cases against major bike brands and component makers have already led to safer designs and recalls that protect thousands of cyclists.

Without accountability, dangerous products stay on the streets, and cyclists stay at risk.

Horn Wright, LLP, Pursues Manufacturers for Defective Bicycle Claims

Cyclists put trust in their equipment every time they ride. When that equipment fails, the consequences are often catastrophic, and completely preventable.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys take on manufacturers, distributors, and shops that put defective bicycles into New Yorkers’ hands. We investigate defects, work with product experts, and hold companies accountable in court.

A crash caused by faulty equipment isn’t the cyclist’s fault. It’s the result of negligence in design, production, or sale. And when that negligence causes harm, we make sure victims see justice.