Yamaha Rhino Rollover Accident Lawsuit

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Since the Yamaha Rhino All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) was introduced to the market in the United States in 2003, it has caused a large number of devastating rollover accidents leaving adults and a number of children seriously injured, permanently maimed and in some instances dead.

The Acting Chairman of the CPSC made the following announcement on March 31, 2009, “Today’s announcement concerning Yamaha Rhino vehicles is a critical step toward increasing family safety. I personally have been so concerned about the number of deaths and injuries associated with these vehicles that I directed staff to step up their investigative efforts.”

Breaking News: U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) Advises Consumers Not To Use Various Models of The Yamaha Rhino ATV

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Yamaha Rhino ATV lawsuit and we can help.

Manufacturer’s Hazardous Design Defects

With the popularity of ATV’s the number of accidents occurring has risen over the years and in most instances you can attribute these accidents to driver error and/or dangerous riding, however “in the case of the Yamaha Rhino ATV, these injuries can be directly linked to the manufacturer’s hazardous design defects.”

At the heart of current and pending litigation surrounding Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents, is the fact that the Rhino ATV has design defects making it unsafe and prone to rollover accidents. Some of these design defects include:

high center of gravity
small wheels
narrow wheelbase / frame

When these design defects are coupled with a powerful engine, fast acceleration and quick turning radius, the ATV can become very unstable, even at slow speeds.

In addition to the aforementioned design defects, it has also been alleged that the Yamaha Rhino provides inadequate protection for drivers and passenger’s limbs in the event of an accident. The original design was manufactured without doors of any kind, however Yamaha has since begun offering the free installation of plastic doors and passenger-side handles to ATV’s manufactured after 2004 in addition to adding a warning label to new Rhinos telling buyers of this potential hazard.

Why has there not been an official recall of the Yamaha Rhino?

Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A has in fact issued one recall on the Yamaha Rhino. This recall however was not related to the possibility of rollover accidents. On March 25, 2008, the manufacturer issued a recall of the 2008 Rhino YXR450 and YXR700. The Yamaha Rhino Recall was issued because the brake caliper on the left front wheel could be defective, resulting in brake fluid leaking. This defect could cause a loss of braking and control of the vehicle, posing a serious safety risk to the driver and passenger.

CPSC Yamaha Rhino Recall: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. Recalls Rhino Side-by-Side Vehicles Due to Risk of Brake Failure

Despite the fact that there are a large number of product liability, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits filed against the manufacturer, Yamaha has yet to issue a formal recall of the defective Rhino ATV with regards to rollover and tip over accidents.

On September 11, 2006 Yamaha issued new warning stickers and sent a letter out to owners warning them to not to deliberately stick their legs out of the vehicle while driving. They also informed owners that they should avoid making sharp turns, as they can provoke an unexpected rollover.

Click Here: Yamaha Rhino Rollover / Tip Over Warning Letter

The Seriousness of a Yamaha Rhino Rollover Accident

The severity of a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident is often intensified when compared to other ATV accidents. It is often the case that a driver and/or passenger involved in a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident will become pinned or trapped underneath the ATV. This will often break bones, crush limbs, and can also damage vital organs. Unfortunately, some victims have also been instantly killed due to the ATV coming down on top of them.

Report Yamaha Rhino Accidents & Injuries to the CPSC

The CPSC is interested in receiving incident, hazard and injury reports that are directly related to the Yamaha Rhino ATV. Please report Yamaha Rhino accidents to the CPSC by visiting their secure website: https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Additional Information:

Do I Have a Yamaha Rhino Lawsuit?

The Products Liability & Personal Injury Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Yamaha Rhino lawsuits. We are pursing individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury cases in all 50 states.