Yamaha Rhino Rollover Lawyers and Accident Attorneys
The Yamaha Rhino rollover accident lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP are currently evaluating cases for a potential lawsuit where victims have been seriously injured or killed in a rollover accident involving the Yamaha Rhino 660 and Rhino 450 all terrain vehicles (ATVs). The Yamaha Rhino has been implicated in many serious injuries and some fatalities since it was first introduced to the US market in 2003 by Yamaha Motor Corp. Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents have been known to occur during turns, even when the ATV is on a flat surface and traveling at a low rate of speed.
Yamaha Rhino Defects
In the course of their investigation, the Yamaha Rhino rollover lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP have determined that the Yamaha Rhino 660 and Rhino 450 ATVs contain serious design defects that make the vehicles more prone to rollover accidents. These Rhino defects also make it far more likely that passengers in the Yamaha Rhino will sustain serious – and possibly fatal – injuries in the event of a rollover accident. The Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers’ legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident.
Yamaha Rhino Rollover Accident Injuries
The Yamaha Rhino Rollover Accident lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP are representing victims who sustained serious injuries, and the families of people killed, as a result of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents. Serious injuries attributed to Rhino rollover accidents include broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.
Yamaha Letter to Rhino Owners
In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of Rhino ATVs warning that the Rhino was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. Yamaha informed Rhino owners that it had prepared new warning labels for the ATVs. Yamaha warned passengers of the Rhino ATVs to use seatbelts, and to keep their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to tip over.
The Yamaha rollover accident attorneys at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP have determined that the actions recommended by Yamaha do little to protect passengers involved in Rhino rollover accidents. Rather, it is the design defects inherent in the Rhino ATVs that make it likely that riders in the vehicles will sustain serious – and possibly fatal – injuries during a Rhino rollover accident.Yamaha Rhino Modifications
In August 2007, Yamaha Motor Corp. announced that it was offering to make modifications to the Rhino 660 and 450 ATVs in an effort to make the vehicles safer. These modifications included new doors and additional passenger handholds for the Rhino. These modifications where offered free of charge to all purchasers of Rhino vehicles, whether they bought their ATVs new or used. The doors were meant to prevent passengers from falling out of the Rhino ATV in the event of a rollover accident.
In addition to the modifications, Yamaha issued yet another new warning label to be placed on the Rhino ATVs. This label warned of the risk of rollover and crushing injuries with the Rhino, even on flat open surfaces during quick maneuvers or tight turns. Finally, Yamaha updated the Rhino owners manual to include information about the modifications.
Legal Help for Yamaha Rhino Rollover Accident Victims
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury as a result of a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak with an experienced Yamaha Rhino rollover accident injury attorney.
