Arctic Cat Prowler lawsuits are being reviewed
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are evaluating the potential for Arctic Cat Prowler lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have suffered severe fractures or other injuries when the side-by-side ATV rolled over under normal operating conditions. Design features could make the off road side by side more prone to rollover, and a lack of safety features may leave riders exposed to a risk of severe and life-threatening injuries in a crash.
Arctic Cat Prowler
The Arctic Cat Prowler is advertised as a “Multi-Rider All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)”, but it has also been referred to as a Side by Side, Recreational Utility Vehicle (RUV) or Utility Vehicle (UTV). It features two seats next to each other with a flat bed in the back. Although it appears similar to the traditional utility vehicles, such as the John Deere Gator and Kawasaki Mule, it is designed to ride like a recreational ATV, with a powerful engine. It has similar design features to the Yamaha Rhino side by side, which has been found to rollover at speeds as low as 13 miles per hour on flat surfaces.
Our product liability lawyers currently represent individuals who are pursuing Yamaha Rhino lawsuits as a result of design defects which make that vehicle very unstable. Similar to the Rhino ATV design, the Arctic Cat Prowler has a high center of gravity on a narrow wheel base with a very powerful engine. It also lacks certain safety features which could allow riders’ legs and arms to fall out of the vehicle during a rollover accident.
Side by side vehicles are a relatively new breed of the traditional Utility Vehicles (UTV) and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV). Since they appear similar to a Jeep or dune buggy, they have become very popular as a family vehicle and among less experienced riders. Other manufacturers have also been entering the market for Side X Side off roaders, with vehicles such as:
- Polaris Ranger RZR
- Kawasaki Teryx
- Joyner Commando
REVIEW AN ARTIC CAT PROWLER LAWSUIT
If you, a friend or family member have suffered a severe fracture of the arm or leg, or another severe injury as a result of being crushed under the weight of an Arctic Cat Prowler in a rollover accident, our lawyers would like to review the circumstances surrounding the crash to help determine if financial compensation may be available. Potential Arctic Cat Prowler lawsuits are being reviewed throughout the United States, and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is ultimately obtained. To have a potential case evaluated, request a free consultation.
16 Comments • Add Your Comments
jared says:
ive drove a prowler like i stole it and never rolled it and anything with a high center of gravity can tip over!!!!! ie a pickup van or bus. you all are hurting a hole industry by sueing over YOUR own stupidity and problems with driving.
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 10:31 am
Sherry says:
My son was recently killed when the 2006 Artic Cat Prowler that he was driving rolled over on flat land. It appears that his head hit the roll bar. This vehicle was only equipped with a lap belt and there was nothing to protect his upper body. You can see that this is a dangerous vehicle just by looking at it. Why do the manufacturers make these vehicles to go so fast when they are so unstable? My state does not require helmet use for 4 wheel vehicles. I believe this also sends a message to the public indicating that these vehicles are safe.
Posted on June 18, 2009 at 12:28 am
Jim Z says:
Sherry, I’m sorry for your loss. I own a 2008 Prowler, my son has a 2006. I rolled my Prowler last week and only received a black eye. I was on flat ground but was not driving like a sensible operator should. The lap belt and roll bar saved me. IThe only thing I didn’t do was wear a helmet, as the safety decals warn you to wear. Was your son wearing a helmet? Was he driving sensibily? I don’t think so. If you drive on a flat surface, in a straight line….you will not roll.
Posted on September 12, 2009 at 11:43 am
Brett says:
Rhino’s are getting the same blame. I always hear some kid never over the age of 13 or 14 driving 660 or 700 cc four wheel drive vehicle and getting hurt. Hmm. I would have to blame the parents for letting that happen not the company you the parent bought the machine from. I don’t know how many storys I”ve read … my daughter 12 yrs old w/ 9 yr old brother one gets hurts other one dies. All storys are around the same age. Umm excuse me a 12 yr old should not be driving a powerfull 4×4 ever they are not resposble enough to make good decisions. If anyone should be getting in trouble the parents who let this happen should be the ones to blame. More research shows that more people are hurt or killed on snowmobiles, dirtbikes, cars, trucks, etc in one yr then in total yrs rhino and prowler has been on the market combined. So now what sue all them. You can’t fix stupid.
Posted on September 25, 2009 at 6:36 pm
dan says:
yea well iam 49 and my prowler rolled over on me when i came to the end of a trail and i was stoped then turned the wheels all the way to the rite to go back and half way through my turn it just went over like somebody just pushed it over. there i was pined under it for 4 hrs. the whole time gas was running out down my leg causing first degree burns and i almost lost my leg. i thank the new rear end they put in them is bad i thank it locked up half way through my turn (on flat ground) causing me to roll over.
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Dave S says:
The yamaha rhino had a recall awhile back about the swaybar and needing wheelspacers so i was told anyway. I own a 2009 prowler 700 and when i first got it it rolled very easily at low speed even on flat terrain, I removed the swaybar and now if driven decent on decent terrain it seems almost imposible to roll very stable, food for thought anyhow.
Posted on November 22, 2009 at 10:12 pm
paul says:
if they would put doors on the prowlers before they are sold ,maybe there wouldnt be so many injuries.i would feel safer when my grandchilden ride with me.i think they should do like they did with the rhino,put doors on for safety.
Posted on March 3, 2010 at 12:12 pm
kim says:
i am an experenced rider age 42 the first weekend i had my 08 650 XT a tried to spin the prowler around it fliped over on the passenger side so quick i didnt know wath was going on i was straped in but broke my wrest on ether the roll bars or possible the stering wheel. the way the fuel tank is designed when you tip up the fuel runs to the upper side of the tank.i told articat but they didnt reply
Posted on March 15, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Mike says:
Sherry, I am sorry for your loss. That is definitely a hard thing to go through.
In my opinion I agree with Jim Z. I have a 1995 Jeep Wrangler that I learned how to four-wheel on. I upgraded it and put a lot of money into it. I feel I am a very experienced off road driver. I have done every trail down in Moab in my Jeep. It has done fantastic.
I recently bought a 2008 Arctic Cat Prowler 700cc. It can do things that my jeep cannot do. The jeep is made strictly for Rock Crawling. I use my prowler for fun trail rides, where I can go fast, slide around corners, and do some jumps and water crossings.
FIrst things first, I know what I do is dangerous, so I use certain safety precautions – I always go with a buddy – two rigs going together will always provide an extra level of safety! I always wear a helmet, and proper safety gear. And if I feel uncomfortable, I don’t do it. I look at obstacles and situations before I tackle them head on doing 30+ MPH. You’ve gotta be smart in these things. Every state has different terrain and obstacles. You can’t expect Arctic Cat to know exactly how a Prowler will handle every single bump and twist it takes at a certain G force and speed. That is the driver’s responsibility. Don’t do more than what you are able to handle. Baby steps!
I wanted to see how my Arctic Cat Prowler did out in Moab – a place that is designed for my Jeep to handle, not a Prowler. Well, it did fantastic! It did some of the hardest trails in Moab no problem! It went up Cliffhanger, Moab Rim, and Hell’s Revenge. All of which are pretty technical, steep, and challenging trails. I have yet to roll my Prowler and do not plan on doing so!
I don’t care how old you are – be responsible and don’t bite off more than you can chew!
Posted on May 3, 2010 at 11:10 pm
ferg says:
i bought a new o7 prowler and tried for two years to make it flip and i have had a 2 inch lift and hl lift springs and 30 in mudlights or 32 in silverbacks on it from day one finally last year i got drunk and was going wide open and jumped a small road when i landed i turned all the way left and it rolled i seperated my shoulder but i say it was the drunk (ME) not the prowler that caused it to roll
Posted on May 3, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Everett says:
Why is the Rino being held responsable for there product ? ARTIC CAT PROWLER IS NOT.I flipped my prowler on its side if there would of been a door my passenger would not have smashed there foot I sent ArtIC Cat a sertafied letter an had no responed what so ever there product will not stand up to what they clame its JUNK…Bolts fall out something is wrong with the frame i think cracked im going to tear it apart an look. I AM A VERY EXPERINCED DRIVER AN CAREFUL Artic Cat needs to face there problems an be held liable for there product like anybody else.
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 10:09 am
colby says:
Im 15 years old and my friends sister wouldnt drive us in the arctic cat so we walked over to her dads house told him that nethier of us had a driver license and asked if it was ok to drive on the road to get to the spot we were going he said yes he is a las vegas police officer so i assumed he was right so did my friend so we took it out and i was going back to pick his sister up to take her out with us as i left the drit on to asphalt i was going 30 and slowing down to 25 when the wheels hit the asphalt they started goign out of control then the next thing i know im in the air becuase it flipped once and rolled twice my friend was in the backseat so he wasnt hurt i had to spend a day in the hospital and my leg was really cut up my ankle where the arctic sat for about ten min is really hurt i couldnt walk for a month and now i have court tomorrow and they are going to put me on probation give me a fine of $300 and have 40 hours of community service and take my license away untill im 18. now i think it is a little unfair plus the hospital bills we have to pay and i think im gulity but i dont think i should get my license taken away since a police officer gave me the keys and told me i could drive complety knowing i wasnt allwoed to i thought it was like an atv or quad.
Posted on July 28, 2011 at 4:06 am
Paula says:
My son was the right passanger in an Artic Cat Prowler 1000 when it flipped while attempting to make a right turn on flat land. The roll bar landed on his head. He sufferd a traumatic brain injury and as a result of his injuries he is permantly blind and deaf in his right ear. My son spent his 14 birthday in the Trauma ICU unit. We are now trying to rebuild a life around his disabilities. This UTV is not safe.
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:50 am
jo anna says:
we have a 2009 arctic cat 250 we bought it in march od 2010 and it has been nothing more than a piece of junk the dealer has done all kinds of work to the transmission and for the first year it was in the shop more than it was out we paid a little over 4 thousand dollars for it and we have had nothing but trouble with it when you are driving it it jumps real hard and almost throws you off of it
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 8:47 am
Matt says:
I have a brand new 2012 arcticcat prowler and the engine drives with out anyone giving it gas do to a clutch in the engine problem? so that arcticcat says! it drove into my house lucky no one was in it but the ebrake was fully lifted up and it still had power to go when the brake peddle was lifted on the foot.
They fixed the motor but would not fix the damage to the roll cage as Travis at main office in Canada say “its your insurance problem not ours” they will fix the problem but NOT what the problem causes! this Prowler 1000 could have KILLED some one if it did not hit my house.
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 10:24 pm
DD says:
I got a 2012 arcticcat prowler 8 months ago I have have nothing but problem with this un safe unit!
1) Engine kept slipping into gear by its self, the first time time happened I was shocked as the prowler went into gear by its self it lightly bumped the house and the roll cage bent forward! if it had been a hard bump some could have been hurt bad!
2)They fixed the engine problem do to a clutch problem? one month later at only 140km it started slipping into gear agian and wanting to move by its self! this time they replaced the hole engine!
3) Roll bar repair?? that got bent the first time they still have not repaired and said contact my insurance company to get it fixed?! WTF there engine is why it drove by its self into my house!
4) They have now asked all ArcticCat prowler owners with the 2012 Prowler to bring the units back in so they can put stranger bolts in as the roll cage is not safe with the ones they first came out with, “just so every one out there no’s these are the same 4 bolts that broke on my unit when it jumped into gear do to there faulty engine ,clutch, crake problem”!
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 4:17 pm