Personal Injury Law

Yamaha Rhino- A Danger Off the Road

By Eddie Farah

More trouble for Yamaha, the maker of the Rhino All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) blamed for serious injuries.

In March, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a voluntary recall of 2008 Rhino Side-by-Side vehicles because of a risk of brake failure that affects about 7,800 vehicles.  

But brakes are not their only problem.

Yamaha knows it has had a problem with rollovers with the vehicle introduced in 2003.  Twice it's put stronger warning labels on the Rhino telling consumers to keep their arms and legs in if the vehicle rolls. The 2008 model is supposed to have doors and a grip handle.

But Yamaha has been slow in taking any action in the form of letters and revisions to the basic design, despite the fact that lawsuits have been filed.

In a rollover in the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), victims suffer devastating and debilitating injuries such as the loss of the lower limbs and serious head injuries.

In the 2006 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries, the CPSC says deaths and injuries are rising from off-road motorized vehicles. From 1982 to 2006, 8,104 ATV-related deaths occurred. More than one-third of those who died are under the age of 16. Compare that to 29 deaths in 1982.

This week designers, engineers, Yamaha reps and lawyers met with the CPSC to discuss a revised design. Ironically, that meeting was closed to the public, even though the CPSC is funded by taxpayer dollars. Company secrets, they whispered.

Manufacturers have an obligation to ensure their products are safe, the government is supposed to oversee safety, not help the company keep trade secrets. 

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on April 16, 2008 (boomark / email).