NHTSA Complaint #10365526 — 2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUI

ON SEPTEMBER 23RD 2010 MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING WEST ON INTERSTATE 40 IN TENNESSEE ON A 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC.. AT MILE MARKER 356 THE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED CAUSING THE BIKE TO FISHTAIL VIOLENTLY. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO EASE THE BIKE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO AVOID POSSIBLE COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I LOST CONTROL AND MY WIFE AND I WERE THROWN FROM THE BIKE. THE BIKE FLIPPED AND WAS DAMAGED HEAVILY. MY WIFE RECEIVED MULTIPLE SCRAPES, BRUISES, AND A SPRAINED WRIST. I RECEIVED 6 BROKEN RIBS, SEVERE BRUISING, AND SEVERAL DEEP SCRAPES RESULTING IN SCARING OF MY RIGHT ARM AND HAND. THE REAR TIRE WAS A DUNLOP D-402 WIDE WHITEWALL. THE TIRE HAD LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON IT. IT APPEARED TO HAVE SEPARATED. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED A FEW HOURS EARLIER BEFORE WE LEFT HOME. THE BIKE WAS NOT OVERLOADED. THE BIKE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLED ON THE BIKE BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL MEDICAL BILLS THAT INSURANCE DID NOT COVER. *TR