The Harley Death Wobble: What You Should Know

Harley Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles since 1903, and few people would disagree with the fact that their bikes are a part of American culture. A Harley's distinct design and legendary reputation have led to an incredible level of popularity with a diverse cross-section of people throughout the United States. (The list of Harley fans can easily include any number of groups imaginable: actual riders, bike enthusiasts, movie producers, actors, athletes, police forces, etc.) In short, Harley Davidson is one of the most well-known brands in our country.

Unfortunately, there is also a growing number of experienced riders who have either suffered traumatic injury or death due to a serious and dangerous problem known as the "Harley Wobble" or "Death Wobble."

Most disturbing is the fact that Harley Davidson is aware of an existing problem with its bikes. In fact, we have received hundreds of calls and emails from riders and their families throughout the country who have questions about the wobble and what legal rights they might have regarding a traumatic injury or death caused by the design defect.

What Causes the Harley Wobble?

Our motorcycle accident attorney mentions that the issue is a problem with the engine mount that could lead to motorcycle accidents and motorcycle injuries. This specific type of mount constrains the frame from motion. The reason this presents a problem is because the swing arm (the rear suspension member of the motorcycle, which is the pivot point) is mounted to the aft end of the transmission on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. If the engine is not constrained in all three axes, you can develop an elastic relationship between the swing arm and the frame of the motorcycle.

Why Hasn't Harley Davidson Fixed The Problem?

With regard to the Wobble, Harley is playing the odds that one of two things may happen:

A) A rider and/or the family won't sue them because they believe Harley Davidson is too big of a company to fight, and there is no reason to pursue a potential case because big companies always win or

B) They believe the unfair bias many people have against motorcyclists will exist within a potential jury.

Unfortunately, many jurors think motorcycles are dangerous and that riders fall off them due to their own actions. It's easy to suggest that the rider was going too fast and simply lost control because they were riding above posted speeds or beyond their ability.

How Does Keller & Keller Help Motorcycle Accident Victims?

As mentioned above, our legal team receives emails and calls from riders and families across the entire United States. Most are people looking to Harley for an answer and potential compensation for their crash. We take seriously our attempts to help everyone with their questions as well as advise them of their legal options.

Because Harley Davidson is backed by high-priced attorneys, these cases can be extremely complicated, lengthy, and expensive. It's extremely important that you carefully select a legal network that can front the costs to pursue these cases. Our team consists of multiple attorneys and a variety of experts who will work together to build your case against Harley Davidson.

When Should I Go To The Doctor?

In the majority of Harley Wobble cases we've encountered, the injuries are so severe that the victim is often rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment. However, in any motorcycle accident, no matter the size or circumstance, your level of treatment will have a serious impact on any potential claim. To see more about how treatment can affect a potential case, please view our motorcycle accident treatment page.

How Long Will My Wobble Case Take To Settle?

Harley-Davidson's legal team aggressively defends wobble cases, which can take several months. However, it's not always possible to give you an exact time estimate, especially before our attorneys and experts have reviewed your particular wobble case.

What Does It Cost To Hire Keller & Keller?

We offer a Zero-Fee Guarantee to all Harley-Davidson clients, meaning you owe us nothing for our time and legal services unless a recovery is made on your behalf.

No matter where you live, if you were seriously injured, or are acting on behalf of a loved one who lost their life because of a Harley Wobble incident, we want you to contact us today so that we can listen to your story and review your options with you.