Yamaha Rhino Wrongful Death Statistics
We have posted several times about the stability problems with the Yamaha Rhino ATV, which have resulted in a number of serious and fatal accidents for riders and passengers. While the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does track ATV deaths, there is no reliable data available for the number of Yamaha Rhino deaths, which would likely highlight the substantial risk posed by these side-by-side ATV.
>>INFORMATION: Yamaha Rhino Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In February 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released the Annual Report of ATV Related Deaths and Injuries for 2006. The report contains information collected by the CPSC on ATV deaths and other personal injuries associated with the use of all-terrain vehicles. They indicate that there were 555 reported ATV deaths in 2006 (which obviously does not include fatalities that were not reported).
However, for purposes of this report, the CPSC defined an ATV as an “off-road, motorized vehicle having three or four low pressure tires, a straddle seat and handlebars”. Off-road vehicles having side-by-side seats or steering wheels were not categorized as ATVs, so fatalities and injuries associated with these vehicles were not included in the report.
The Yamaha Rhino is a side-by-side ATV with two bucket seats, a steering wheel and a flat bed in the back for hauling. Therefore, it was classified as a utility vehicle by the U.S. CPSC, even though Yamaha has combined these utility vehicle features with the handling features typically associated with recreational ATV, such as a powerful engine with fast acceleration and a quick turning radius.
As a result of the design decisions made by Yamaha, the Rhino ATV has been found to rollover even when it is operated at slow speeds on flat surfaces. In fact, many of the reported Yamaha Rhino accidents have involved the vehicle tipping offer as the driver was bringing it home and turning into the driveway. This typically results in severe fractures or crush injuries to legs and arms, which fall out of the vehicle during the low-speed rollover.
There have also been a number of reported Yamaha Rhino deaths associated with these rollovers, caused by head injuries or the body getting rolled under the vehicle and crushed. Unfortunately, many of the fatalities have involved wrongful deaths of children who were ejected from the open cabin as the Rhino rolled over.
YAMAHA RHINO LAWYERS
Based on the hundreds of reports of severe injuries and deaths received by our Yamaha Rhino lawyers and the other attorneys our law firm works with throughout the country, it is clear that the U.S. CPSC should be closely examining the Yamaha Rhino death statistics. While all ATV have risks, the Yamaha Rhino rolls over with much greater ease than a reasonable rider should expect.
If you, a friend or family member have suffered severe or fatal injuries as a result of a Yamaha Rhino accident, contact our lawyers to review your legal rights and obtain a free consultation.
