Yamaha Rhino Rollover Injury Accidents

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The Yamaha Rhino All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) was introduced to the United States market in 2003. Many people driving and riding on these ATVs have experienced roll over accidents causing the following:

• Crushed ankles, arms, and legs
  
• Internal injuries
  
• Death

Accidents involving ATVs are not unusual. Many ATV owners drive dangerously. Sometimes driver error is the cause of these accidents. However, in the case of the Yamaha Rhino ATV, some accidents resulting in serious injury can be linked to the manufacturer’s hazardous design defects. Current and pending lawsuits involving the Yamaha Rhino site the following design defects

• High center of gravity / top heavy
  
• Small wheels
  
• Narrow wheelbase / frame

These design defects, coupled with a powerful engine, fast acceleration and quick turning radius aid in making the Rhino potentially unstable even at slow speeds and on flat surfaces.

Despite the fact that there are a large number of products liability, personal injury, and wrongful death lawsuits filed against the manufacturer, Yamaha has yet to issue a formal recall of the Rhino ATV. Yamaha did send out a letter to owners September 11, 2006 warning them to not deliberately stick their legs out of the vehicle. They also informed owners that they should avoid making sharp turns, as they can provoke an unexpected rollover. In 2007, Yamaha also offered to install doors and passenger handholds for the Rhino ATV free of charge. The doors are meant to prevent riders from sticking out arms or legs during rollover accidents. However, Yamaha has not acknowledges its ATV’s design defects and have not addressed the problems with design changes.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Yamaha Rhino ATV accident, you may want to contact an ATV lawyer for an evaluation of your case.

Give us a call at 800-992-6878, or please CLICK HERE for a free case evaluation.