Yamaha Rhino Accident Results in Another Tragedy

Last weekend, another Yamaha Rhino Accident resulted in a tragedy, killing a young boy from Texas. The design of the Yamaha side-by-side ATV has resulted in hundreds of rollovers and accidents throughout the United States, often causing severe fractures when riders arms or legs are trapped under the vehicle. In this case, an 8 year old passenger lost his life when he was ejected and crushed by the weight of the vehicle.

>>INFORMATION: Yamaha Rhino Rollover Problems

The Yamaha Rhino crash occurred last Saturday around 4:45 pm in McClain County, Texas. The accident occurred when the driver of the ATV made a sharp left turn on a dirt pasture. Although this would certainly be a normal maneuver that an off-road vehicle should be able to handle, design defects which make the Yamaha Rhino incredibly unstable, caused the ATV to rollover onto the passenger side.

The eight year old boy and another 59 year old passenger were ejected from the passenger seat when the Rhino rolled over. The Yamaha ATV, which weighs approximately 1,000 pounds, landed on the young boy, causing fatal injuries.

The Yamaha Rhino is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) which is designed for recreational off-road use under a variety of conditions. However, since it was first introduced in 2003, it has been found to rollover with much greater frequency than other ATV, even when operated at slow speeds on flat surfaces.

The Rhino has a powerful engine with a high center of gravity, a narrow wheelbase, and small tires. As a result, Yamaha Rhino accidents where the vehicles roll over, occur frequently. In response to these problems, Yamaha began offering aftermarket doors and additional passenger hand-holds in August 2007. However, a Yamaha Rhino recall was never issued to make sure that these safety features were added to all of the more than 100,000 vehicles that have been sold. In addition, Yamaha has still not made any substantial design changes to address the instability problems.

YAMAHA RHINO ACCIDENT LAWYERS

The Yamaha Rhino lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential cases throughout the United States for individuals who have been injured or killed as a result of a Yamaha Rhino accident. Despite the availability of inexpensive and safer alternative designs, which could reduce the risk of injury for riders, Yamaha has failed to take the necessary steps to address the Rhino’s problems. If you, a friend or family member have suffered an injury in a Yamaha Rhino accident, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.