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, 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.
10 Comments • Add Your Comments
Shirley says:
A co-worker’s son just had a rhino flip and crush his arm, and I do mean crush! compund fractures and required plastic surgery to close the wound. He is at St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson NJ, his last name is White. I just saw on tv that the rhino’s were dangerous, but because he works at the honda dealer and was at work riding one he doesn’t want to cause any trouble because workman’s comp is paying for everything. but i told him if he pursues the dangers he would be possibly be saving a life later on, he alomost lost his left arm because of the dangers and couldn’t finish his last summer class to graduate college.
Posted on August 5, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Chris says:
ya’ll are idiots the yamaha rhino is not inherently unsafe all all collisions and rollovers are caused by driver fault not design. I would hate to see yet another class of vehicles go the way of the 3 wheelers which i have been riding safely without an injury for 6 years. You are a disgrace to the legal profession and give all lawyers everywhere a bad reputation. You make it sound like you’ll just be riding an atv down the road and it’ll just flip over and kill you for no apparent reason. You don’t even acknowledge the fact that every vehicle there is can be driven safely. I ride atvs every day and while I recognize that they can be unsafe i do think they can be driven safely. If I was injured driving one I would admit my personal fault and not blame it on someone else.
Posted on October 23, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Austin Kirk says:
Chris… hopefully you will take a moment to read our latest post which addresses many of the points raised in your comments, which seems to dismiss the fact that there are problems with the Yamaha Rhino:
http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/10/23/yamaha-rhino-atv-accident/
Certainly you are right, the Yamaha Rhino will not spontaneously roll over. However, it has been found to rollover in situations where a reasonable rider should not expect it to, and if you read through the other comments posted on our site as well as this site (which is not written by a lawyer) hopefully you will realize that this is a vehicle which has some problems, and could be made safer.
Posted on October 24, 2008 at 6:56 pm
dustin says:
i agree with chris
and was the 9 year old wearing a seat belt and was and was there doors on the machine??? probably not
ever machine has its faults it is up to the operator to make the discission on what is safe and what is not
whats next the grip warmers get to hot!!!!!!!!
Posted on November 17, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Tim says:
The great thing about the internet is that people with absolutely no clue what they are talking about get as loud a voice as an expert Dustin and Chris here get to look completely ignorant by forming opinions with no real fact I am an experienced rider logging many hours on 4 wheelers 3 wheelers dirt bikes and street bikes and I have ridden and been injured on a Yamaha Rhino now since neither of you two although you seem to think your opinions justified have cited experience with the rhino maybe you should go ride one and maybe if your still alive you can come back when you deserve an opinion I have taken three wheelers through far more dangerous situations than trying to u turn at 5 mph the three wheelers held up but the rhino did not thank you for your opinions tho if only they could replace my upcoming cane
Sincerely
gimp at 27
Posted on December 11, 2008 at 5:25 am
Jim says:
I grew up on 3 wheelers and dirt bikes. I’ve ridden/owned 2 Rhino’s. They do not tip tip over at 5 mph. People should put wheel spacers on if you can’t handle it. What about motorcycles? They will fall over when you turn. You should not be able to sue if you buy and take ownership, you are responsible. Let’s look at ratio’s. Percent of vehicles to accidents. We better be suing motorcycles and autos first. If I cut my finger off with a knife, can I sue the knife maker cause it was too sharp and I didn’t know how to use it??? You should be able to buy about anything and then you are responsible for how you use it. What about a parent teaching a kid how to ride a bike. He falls off, gets hurt, maybe breaks a wrist. Is that child endangerment? Can they sue the bike maker? Ban bikes?? They are dangerous, especially motorcycles. Where does it end?????? I am sick of people being stupid. If an accident happens, people want compensated for their own ignorance. I think I’ll try a unicycle while juggling running chainsaws, cause I’m so cool I know I can do it. If I get hurt somebodies gonna pay. If you buy a Rhino, try it cautiously, and if you feel it’s not safe, don’t ride it, sell it. Remember people to empty your bullets before cleaning your gun too.
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Jim says:
Oh ya, Lets throw some people on some racing dirt bikes who have never ridden a motorcycle before and see what happens.
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Brett says:
Jim is right. I’ve been around toys all my life, and with any product people get hurt. I’ve owned Rhino’s since 2004, and never had one over on it’s top. Whatever person thinks they are top heavy is wrong, I’ve been places few would go with ATV’s or Bikes. The problem lies in people & parents not having the training, and IQ to operate the Yamaha Rhino. What person lets a 9 year old ride with no supervision, or safety. Put the blame where it lies, on the lack of sense. Yamaha has stepped up and tried to help riders by door, etc. Do they need to require an IQ test before purchase. Perhaps!!
Posted on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 pm