Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer - Rollover

Danger With The Yamaha Rhino

Jamie Sheller — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:02:11 GMT

In 2002, during a test ride of the Yamaha Rhino, then in development, the vehicle tipped over after going down a hill and injured the driver's foot. The Rhino is an off-road vehicle. The driver in that test drive was Keisuke Yoshida, the president of a Yamaha Motor Co. U.S. subsidiary. Later, at a meeting, Yoshida sought an "update on instability of vehicle for future liability cases."

The Rhino was introduced to the market in the fall of 2003, and experienced strong sales. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 59 people have been killed and hundred injured in Rhino accidents. Often riders are injured when the Rhino rolls over and they are thrown from the vehicle. There are hundreds of lawsuits pending against Yamaha, based on Rhino deaths and injuries. One theory about why the Rhino is so dangerous is that its structure causes it to be extremely unstable. Another theory is that passengers are partially ejected from the Rhino because the seatbelts tend to unspool during rollovers.

In March, Yamaha offered a "free repair program" for the Rhino. Yamaha refused to call the program a recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is continuing to investigate the Rhino, and could possibly seek a ban if the Rhino is still dangerous after the changes.

If you have been injured by a Yamaha Rhino, contact Sheller, P.C. The Sheller firm has a long history of aggressively representing individuals and classes of people who have suffered a range of injuries, including injuries from defective products. Sheller lawyers are currently handling cases for clients who have been injured by a Yamaha Rhino. Contact us to discuss your Rhino injury.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Yamaha Rhino Recall

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:15:57 GMT

The Yamaha Rhino is a two passenger off-road recreational vehicle. Recently, Yamaha Motor Corp., USA recalled 145,000 Rhinos. Rhino sales have also been suspended. The recall was announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. At the time of the recall, 46 deaths and hundred of injuries had been caused by three Rhino models from the time they were first distributed in 2003, until now. Most of the accidents involving injuries or death were rollovers. All Yamaha Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models were recalled for repairs that are intended to reduce the risk of rollover and keep riders' limbs inside the vehicle.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Yahama Rhino Among Off-Road Vehicles Investigated By CPSC

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:32:09 GMT

The Yamaha Rhino is a popular off-road vehicle. It has reportedly been involved in many accidents, including approximately 30 deaths, including two young girls in October. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating utility terrain vehicles (UTV's), including the Rhino, because of safety concerns revealed by the accidents involving the Rhino. However, the Yamaha Motor Corp., USA insists that "If you operate it carefully and use some common sense and good judgment, it's a really great product."

Due to certain design differences, UTV's are not subject to the same safety standards of either all-terrain vehicles (ATV's) or cars. In fact, UTV owners do not even have to register the vehicles, and until 2008, doors were not standard equipment on the Rhino. There currently are no regulatory standards governing UTV's, as this type of vehicle is considered and "emerging hazard area." According to Yamaha, some of the Rhino parts, such as seat belts, are in voluntary compliance with federal vehicle standards. The CPSC investigation will help determine whether UTV regulations are needed, and if so, what those regulations will look like. Some critics of the Rhino argue that certain design features of the Rhino increase the risk of tipping over, which has led to a number of accidents and injuries.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving an ATV or UTV, such as the Yamaha Rhino, contact Sheller, P.C. The lawyers at Sheller have many years of experience successfully representing people injured in vehicle accidents, including injuries caused by vehicle rollovers and design defects.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller