Recall for Yamaha Rhino Not Issued Worldwide Despite Safety Problems
Despite being forced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the Yamaha Rhino in March 2009, so that design modifications and improvements could be made to the four wheel side-by-side ATV, Yamaha continues to sell the Rhino without the safety modifications in other countries.
According to a News.com.au report from Australia, Yamaha is not conducting a Rhino recall in Australia or requiring the installation of the same new safety features. Yamaha Australia indicates that they are not offering the same repair program because “when the user guidelines are followed, the Rhino is a safe and extremely capable side-by-side vehicle.”
Facing a track record of nearly 50 Yamaha Rhino deaths in the United States and hundreds of other serious injuries suffered by riders in rollover accidents, Yamaha is attempting to spin the problems as an American phenomenon.
However, the rollover issues with the Yamaha Rhino have been tied to the design of the vehicle, which is essentially the same in the United States and Australia. The vehicle was built with small tires on a narrow frame with a powerful engine and a high center of gravity. These “features” cause the vehicle to be extremely unstable, and it has been shown to rollover even when it is operated safely at slow speeds under 15 miles per hour on flat surfaces.
As part of the Rhino recall in the United States, owners were told that the safety issues posed such a risk that they should not operate the ATV until after the repairs and modifications had been made. The U.S. CPSC indicated that Yamaha would add a spacer onto the rear wheels and remove the rear anti-sway bar to reduce the risk of a rollover.
Although questions still remain about whether these design modifications and safety improvements will actually help reduce the risk of a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident, if Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. told the U.S. CPSC that they would make the vehicle safer, why would the same design modifications not be offered worldwide?
LAWYERS FOR YAMAHA RHINO RECALL
The Yamaha Rhino lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who have suffered serious fractures and other injuries in ATV rollover accidents that occurred at slow speeds while the vehicle was being operated in a reasonable and prudent manner.
Yamaha has known about the safety problems with the Rhino for years and have continued to place riders at risk by failing to issue a recall earlier and warn about the problems. Hundreds of lawsuits over Yamaha Rhino accidents have been filed, and other riders who were injured in a rollover may be entitled to compensation.
If you, a friend or family member have suffered injuries in a Yamaha Rhino accident, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
