Huffy has recalled approximately 500 of its bicycles, model year 2014 Huffy TR 745 and TR-S 740, because of a hazardous defect. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the front disc brakes unexpectedly stop the front wheel and could cause the entire wheel to detach from the bicycle. These bikes could have been purchased at Walmart.com, Sears Puerto Rico, and The Northwest Company (Cost U Less) from September 2014 through May 2015. Huffy encourages consumers not to buy the product although no reports of injury have been made.
According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, bicycle accidents made up 2.3% of fatal traffic crashes in the United States in 2013. Additionally, 48,000 people were injured in nonfatal traffic crashes. With the recent increase of bicycle usage due to gas prices and fitness campaigns, this number is expected to rise. Hazardous bike defects, Like the Huffy bike defect, will not aid in the efforts to decrease the number of bicycle accidents.
Under chapter 82 of the Practice and Remedy code, a manufacturer can be held liable for their defective products that harm customers.
Common bike defects include but are not limited to:
- Brake issues
- Broken chains
- Defective handlebars
- Faulty frame welds
- Loose pedals
- Seat post failure
- Tires or tubes that pop/blow out
- Wheel failure
If you or someone you know has recently been in a bike accident or purchased one of the recalled bikes and experienced an injury, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.