Posts
The Yamaha Rhino is a popular all-terrain vehicle which most of you all must be familiar with. But it has shown a dangerous and potentially deadly trait to roll over, even when it is being driven at slow speeds on level ground. This vehicle has a very serious manufacturing defect due to the narrow wheel base and smaller tires than other ATV models. These two things give it a higher center of gravity that makes it much more likely to tip over, especially when it is going over bumpy terrain or around corners. Due to this defect, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall on all Yamaha Rhino 450 and 660 model vehicles. This recall affects approximately 120,000 off-road recreational vehicles.
The rollovers have caused serious injuries to numerous riders which have prompted lawsuits. Common injuries which are being reported include broken legs and arms, and at times grievous head and spinal cord injuries. The Rhino's propensity to roll over has been blamed on its high center of gravity and narrow wheel base. Many Rhinos did not come with doors on the passenger compartment. So, when the Rhino loses it balance and starts to rolls the passenger sticks their leg out to try and balance the vehicle. Unfortunately, the passenger or driver is typically unable to balance the vehicle and it rolls over crushing the driver's or passenger's leg.
This ATV which is an $11,000 side-by-side all terrain vehicle and other ATV models of similar design are to be blamed for thousands of deaths and serious injuries which occur each and every year. It is estimated that in 2006 alone, approximately 555 people – including 100 children – were killed in accidents involving ATVs. Another 146,600 people – more than one quarter of them children -- were treated in United States emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries in 2006, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The rollovers have caused serious injuries to numerous riders which have prompted lawsuits. Common injuries which are being reported include broken legs and arms, and at times grievous head and spinal cord injuries. The Rhino's propensity to roll over has been blamed on its high center of gravity and narrow wheel base. Many Rhinos did not come with doors on the passenger compartment. So, when the Rhino loses it balance and starts to rolls the passenger sticks their leg out to try and balance the vehicle. Unfortunately, the passenger or driver is typically unable to balance the vehicle and it rolls over crushing the driver's or passenger's leg.
This ATV which is an $11,000 side-by-side all terrain vehicle and other ATV models of similar design are to be blamed for thousands of deaths and serious injuries which occur each and every year. It is estimated that in 2006 alone, approximately 555 people – including 100 children – were killed in accidents involving ATVs. Another 146,600 people – more than one quarter of them children -- were treated in United States emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries in 2006, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
