Yamaha Rhino ATV Lawyers

          
          Our Yamaha Rhino ATV lawyers have been writing for come time now that Yamaha must recall the Rhino ATV. Yamaha has now agreed and has issued a Rhino ATV recall.

          The Rhino ATV was recalled becase(1) rolls over very easily, even at relatively low speeds, and (2) when it rolls over the occupant is not protected.  As a result of the former, there are a great many rollover accidents.  The latter causes an inordinate number of crush injuries and broken bones, often the leg and, specifically, the tibia. 
          Companies like Yamaha who realize that their product is defective generally have three options: (1) recall the product, (2) take half measures, or (3) do nothing.  With the Rhino, Yamaha initially went with the intermediate plan of taking half measures.  Yamaha admited that people who have “engaged in aggressive driving” (apparent Yamaha definition: making any turn at all) have experienced rollovers and, accordingly, Yamaha is willing to provide polyethylene half-doors and passenger handholds for the Rhino at no charge.  These safety devices are mandatory on the 2008 Yamaha models.

          Yamaha’s solution to the Rhino rollover problem was the classic corporate half measure: it solves less than half of the problem for less than half the users.  Yamaha knew that not everyone is going to hear of the offer or come in to fix the vehicle, presumably at their own expense by driving the vehicle to the shop (not easy for the Rhino ATV which is not exactly the size of a small bike).  Even more problematic was the fact that Yamaha was not fixing the problems that cause the Yamaha Rhino ATV to roll in the first place: a center of gravity that is too high.  The Rhino is too top heavy and the tires are too small for the expected uses of the vehicle.  These design defects make the Yamaha Rhino ATV unstable.  These problems are more pronounced for the passenger. The Rhino driver at least has the steering wheel to hold and can anticipate the Rhino's movement. In contrast, the Rhino passenger does not have the same opportunities.

          Calls for Yamaha to recall its Rhino ATVs fell on deaf ears for a long time. Yamaha’s defense to the recall argument was essentially “Hey, we all know people drive these things like idiots, we can’t be surprised when they flip.”

          Now, 46 deaths later, this argument is now dead. Yamaha is recalling the Rhino 450 and the Rhino 660 to make repairs are to reduce the risk that Rhino ATV lawyers have been screaming about at the top of the lungs for quite some time: the rollover risk and to improve handling of the Yamaha Rhino ATV to keep riders'
extremities in the vehicle.

          Each year, ATV accidents send about 136,000 riders to emergency rooms and kill 800 more. About one of every three fatal crashes starts with the exact problem we are having with the Yamaha Rhino ATV: overturning. Obviously, there is no question that ATVs are risky enough without consumers having to drive ATVs that are defectively designed.

          If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a Yamaha Rhino ATV rollover, our lawyers are evaluating Yamaha Rhino ATV rollovers in serious injury and death cases across the United States, including California, New York, Texas, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Illinois (states with high Rhino ATV sales). We are also willing to assist local Yamaha Rhino ATV lawyers with these design defect claims against Yamaha. Call our lawyers for a free consultation at 800-553-8082 or click here for a free Internet consultation.

See also More on the Rhino Recall (April 3, 2009 update on Rhino recall)