Yamaha Rhino Lawsuit: Dangerous design
The Yamaha Rhino side-by-side ATV has been sold as a safe and versatile off-road vehicle which can be operated under almost any road condition. However, features inherent in the design of the 4×4 make it very unstable and prone to rollover, even when it is operated at slow speeds on flat surfaces. As a result, users who have suffered serious fractures or fatal injuries in a rollover accident, may be entitled to compensation through a Yamaha Rhino lawsuit.
>>INFORMATION: Yamaha Rhino Rollovers
Yamaha Rhino Lawsuits
When Yamaha entered the market for side by side quad ATVs in 2003, they took an aggressive approach by mixing elements of a pure utility vehicle with a recreational vehicle. Their attempts to create a faster, more agile vehicle that could still seat two passengers next to each other and haul several hundred pounds, resulted in an ATV that was prone to flip over even under normal operating conditions.
Shortly after the quad side by side was introduced, Yamaha began receiving reports of catastrophic injury and death caused by Rhino rollovers. However, instead of recalling the Rhino to address the inherent safety issues, they continued to aggressively market and sell the vehicle.
In a statement on their website, Yamaha currently indicates:
While the Rhino has been a reliable and versatile vehicle, some operators have engaged in aggressive driving (such as sliding, skidding, fishtailing or doing donuts) or made abrupt maneuvers (such as turning the steering wheel too far or too fast) that have resulted in side rollovers - even on flat, open areas. Unfortunately, some occupants have been seriously injured during such rollovers when they put their arms or legs outside the vehicle, resulting in crushing or other injuries.
In reality, many of the reported Yamaha Rhino rollovers have not been caused by aggressive driving which would be beyond what the manufacturer anticipated when they marketed the four-wheeler as one of “the most exciting off road vehicles ever to be released.” While Yamaha attempts to place blame for the ATV accidents on the operators, Rhino rollovers occur even at slow speeds under normal operating conditions.
One Yamaha Rhino lawsuit filed in Texas last year involved the death of a 9 year old boy who was riding as a passenger in the family’s ATV when it rolled over while traveling approximately 15 miles per hour around a turn. The young child, who was a passenger in the ATV, was crushed under the weight of the vehicle as it rolled, resulting in fatal head injuries.
While there are risks associated with the use of any ATV, operators and passengers have a reasonable expectation that the side-by-side quad will be safe for its intended purpose. This should include the ability to turn the steering wheel without fear that the vehicle will rollover.
Although Yamaha is now offering after-market doors and hand-holds for vehicles sold before 2008, they have not issued a Rhino recall to add the safety features. In addition, the doors and handle bars do not address the underlying stability problems of their side-by-side.
REVIEW A YAMAHA RHINO LAWSUIT
The lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. offer free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals who wish to review a potential Yamaha Rhino lawsuit. Cases are being investigated throughout the United States, and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. If serious or potentially fatal injuries have been suffered by you, a friend or family member in a Yamaha Rino accident, request a free claim evaluation.
