Moore Law Group, PLLC represents individuals who have suffered devastating injuries in accidents involving the Yamaha Rhino side by side recreational vehicle. Typical injuries have included broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, the injuries were so severe as to require amputation. In certain cases, Rhino rollovers have even led to deaths.
In injury lawsuits filed against Yamaha, consumers charge that the Yamaha Rhino contains numerous safety defects. These defects include a top-heavy design resulting in a high center of gravity, and a dangerously narrow track width. As a result, the complaints charge that the Rhino is dangerously unstable and prone to rolling over even when driven on flat ground at low speeds.
All lawsuits filed in federal court alleging the Yamaha Rhino is an unsafe vehicle have been coordinated by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation and assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer B. Coffman of the Western District of Kentucky. Jennifer A. Moore of Moore Law Group, PLLC, is serving as the Court-appointed Liaison Counsel on behalf of all plaintiffs in the national litigation.
Residents of Kentucky that have been injured in Yamaha Rhino accidents are welcome to contact Moore Law Group to learn of their rights and remedies under the law.More InformationCBS News story on the dangers of Yamaha Rhino ATVs.Yamaha Rhino RECALLOn March 31, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., announced a repair program of the Rhino 450, 660, and 700 models to address rollover safety defects which have killed at least 46 persons. Until repaired by a Yamaha dealer, the Rhino should not be driven. Yamaha, however, has not acknowledged its legal responsibility to consumers injured in Rhino accidents.
Consumers should immediately stop using these popular recreational vehicles until the free repairs are installed by a dealer.
Contact the attorneys at Moore Law Group for more information.Consumer Product Safety Commission Press ReleaseYamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450, 660, and 700 Model Rhino Vehicles
CPSC advises consumers not to use the off-road vehicles until repaired
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif., is announcing a free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450, 660, and 700 model off-highway recreational vehicles. Yamaha has also agreed to voluntarily suspend sale of these models immediately until repaired. Consumers should immediately stop using these popular recreational vehicles until the repair is installed by a dealer.
CPSC staff has investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger deaths in these two Rhino models. More than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers and many involved unbelted occupants. Of the rollover-related deaths and hundreds of reported injuries, some of which were serious, many appear to involve turns at relatively low speeds and on level terrain.
About 120,000 of the 450 and 660 model Rhinos have been distributed nationwide since Fall 2003. Some units have been equipped by Yamaha with half doors and additional passenger handholds, either before or after sale.
Yamaha’s repair includes the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants’ arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. Owners of the affected Rhinos should stop using them and call their dealer to schedule an appointment to have repairs made once they are available and to take advantage of a free helmet offer.
Yamaha is also voluntarily implementing the same repair program and suspension of sale for the Rhino 700 model, in order to ensure customer satisfaction. Consumers should stop riding the 700 model until it is repaired. About 25,000 Rhino 700s are part of this repair program.
Once these repairs have been made to their vehicles, Rhino users should always wear their helmet and seatbelt and follow the safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner’s manuals and other safety materials. The Rhino is only recommended for operators 16 and older with a valid driver’s license. All passengers must be tall enough to place both feet on the floorboard with their back against the seat back.