Bicycle Product Defects & Injury Lawsuits in California

As a cyclist, your life often depends on your gear. When that trust is broken by a defective frame, brake system, or helmet, the results can be catastrophic. At Hulburt Law Firm, we hold manufacturers, distributors, and bike shops accountable when faulty bicycle components cause serious injuries or death.

This guide explains the most common bicycle product defects, how to identify if your accident may involve one, and the legal steps to seek justice.

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Common Bicycle Product Defects That Cause Crashes

Modern bikes are complex machines. When one part fails—especially at high speed—the outcome can be devastating. Common failure points include:

1. Frame Failures

Carbon fiber and aluminum frames can fracture due to poor design, weak materials, or manufacturing errors. A sudden break may cause the rider to crash without warning.

2. Wheel or Rim Defects

Defective spoke tension, poor-quality rims, or faulty hubs can lead to catastrophic wheel failure, especially during descents or under load.

3. Brake Failures

From melted pads to failing disc rotors, brake system defects can result in a total loss of stopping power. These failures are especially dangerous on hills or in traffic.

4. Fork or Steerer Tube Cracks

A cracked fork or detached steerer tube can cause immediate loss of control. Many such failures result from defective bonding or poor material selection—issues often seen in recalled products.

5. Quick Release and Axle Failures

Quick-release skewers and axles that disengage mid-ride can eject wheels and cause high-impact crashes. Some of these defects have been tied to widespread recalls after repeated injuries.

6. Helmet Failures

When helmets fail to protect vulnerable parts of the head, the consequences can be life-changing. In one case, a jury awarded eight figures against a helmet manufacturer whose “stylish” design provided inadequate coverage during a low-speed crash

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Signs Your Crash May Involve a Product Defect

You might assume a crash was your fault or just bad luck—but certain signs point to equipment failure:

• A sudden break or collapse without external force
• Equipment failing under normal riding conditions
• Videos or witnesses showing parts breaking mid-ride
• Known recall of the same product or component
• Multiple rider complaints about the same failure

If any of these occurred in your case, your injuries may have been caused by a defect—not rider error.

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Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Bicycle?

California product liability law holds every party in the supply chain accountable, including:

• Manufacturers and designers
• Material specifiers and parts selectors
• Importers and distributors
• Retailers and local bike shops
  

Under the law, you don’t need to prove negligence—only that the product was defective and caused your injury. This is known as strict liability.

All participants in the chain of production are held fully responsible for damages caused by a defective product as a matter of public policy. — Wimberly v. Derby Cycle Corp. (1997) 56 Cal.App.4th 618, 627

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How California Law Defines a Defective Product

In California, there are multiple legal theories under which a bicycle component can be deemed defective. The two most commonly used in product liability cases are the consumer expectation test and the risk-benefit test—both of which are part of the state’s strict liability doctrine.

Consumer Expectation Test

Under this test, a product is defective if it fails to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect when used in a reasonably foreseeable way. This standard is particularly useful in bicycle defect cases because most cyclists are familiar with how their gear should function.
Examples:

• A wheel that suddenly collapses during normal riding
• A helmet that fails to protect the head in a low-speed fall
• A quick-release lever that opens unexpectedly without rider input

If the defect is obvious or the failure seems shocking to an average cyclist, this test can be a powerful way to hold manufacturers accountable.

Risk-Benefit Test

This test applies when the product’s design involves technical or complex considerations. Here, the burden shifts to the manufacturer to prove that the benefits of the design outweigh the risks of harm. Factors include:

• The seriousness of the potential injury
• The likelihood that the injury would occur
• The feasibility of an alternative, safer design
• The cost and impact of adopting that safer design
• The user’s ability to avoid harm with proper warnings

In cases involving structural failures (e.g., cracked forks, sheared axles, or defective carbon fiber layups), this test often comes into play. Our legal team works with engineers and product safety experts to demonstrate when safer designs were available and ignored.

Both tests are tools to help juries decide whether a product was unreasonably dangerous—and whether the manufacturer should be held responsible. At Hulburt Law Firm, we tailor our strategy to the facts of your case and use whichever standard best supports your right to recovery.

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What to Do If You Suspect a Defect

If you think a defective part caused or worsened your crash, follow these steps:

• Do not repair or ride the bike again
• Take photos of the scene, damaged parts, and injuries
• Store the bike and components in a secure, dry space
• Keep the helmet, clothing, and any bike-mounted camera or GPS
• Contact a product liability attorney before speaking to the manufacturer

These early actions can protect the evidence needed to build your case.

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How to Prove a Bicycle Product Liability Case

Bicycle defect claims are highly technical—and the outcome often hinges on early evidence collection and expert analysis. Here’s what’s required:

Preserve the Evidence

• Don’t repair or discard the bike or components.
• Store damaged parts in a safe, dry location.
• Avoid any destructive testing until the defense is notified.

Hire the Right Experts

Engineers specializing in materials, design, and accident reconstruction are critical to building your case. At Hulburt Law Firm, we work with leading experts to determine whether a defect existed before the crash.

Secure Any Video Footage

Surveillance or GoPro video can make or break your claim. Our team acts quickly to obtain and preserve this critical evidence—before it’s overwritten or lost.

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Recent Real-World Examples

• A cyclist suffered spinal injuries when the carbon steerer tube on his high-end bike cracked due to faulty bonding and inadequate testing.
• A mountain biker sustained facial fractures when a defective brake rotor sheared off. The manufacturer had recalled similar rotors abroad—but not in the U.S.
  
  

How Manufacturers Defend Against Product Claims

Manufacturers often push back hard against liability claims. Common defenses include:

• Blaming rider error, poor maintenance, or improper installation
• Claiming the crash caused the failure—not the other way around
• Arguing the product was altered after purchase
• Denying responsibility for parts sourced from third parties

We anticipate these strategies and use expert analysis, industry documents, and consumer complaints to rebut them.

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Can You Still Sue If the Product Was Recalled?

Yes. A recall does not eliminate your right to seek compensation. In fact, a recall can:

• Support your claim that the product was defective
• Show that the manufacturer was aware of the danger
• Strengthen claims of failure to warn or inadequate recall notice

If you were injured by a recalled product, you may have both a product liability and consumer protection claim.

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Time Limits to File a Claim in California

• Product Liability or Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death
• Claims Against Retailers: May also involve warranty or negligence laws

Warning: Critical evidence can be lost if you wait too long—act quickly.

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Statewide Cases and How Hulburt Law Firm Helps Beyond San Diego

We represent injured cyclists throughout California. Whether your crash involved a major brand like Trek, Giant, Specialized, or a smaller component manufacturer, we have the resources and trial experience to take on global manufacturers and distributors.

We can help riders nationwide by:

• Coordinating expert inspections and preservation of evidence
• Working with national engineering and recall specialists
• Filing suit in the proper jurisdiction and against international parties

If your injury happened outside San Diego, we’re still ready to help.

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Why Choose Hulburt Law Firm?

At Hulburt Law Firm, we don’t just take on injury claims—we take on manufacturers who put profits over safety. Our attorneys, Conor and Leslie Hulburt, are trial-tested litigators with deep experience in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

We help cyclists by:

• Investigating and preserving defective equipment
• Working with top experts to build a winning case
• Filing claims against manufacturers, importers, and sellers
• Fighting for maximum compensation in court if needed
  
  

“These cases aren’t about bad luck. They’re about holding manufacturers accountable for cutting corners and endangering cyclists.” — Conor Hulburt, Product Liability Attorney

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Contact a Bicycle Defect Lawyer Today

If your crash may have been caused by a faulty frame, fork, brake, helmet, or other component, you may have a valid product liability claim. Let our team uncover the truth—and fight for the recovery you deserve.

Call 619.821.0500 or schedule a free case evaluation online.

Because when safety fails, The Truth Demands Justice.

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Related Articles:

• Legal Process for Bicycle Accident Claims
• Hit and Run Bicycle Accidents
• Comparative Fault in California Bicycle Accidents