Since the start of summer the Consumer Products Safety Commission has received numerous reports of injuries involving the popular but unsafe Yamaha Rhino All Terrain Vehicle. The reports name the 450, 660 and 700 models and many appear to involve rollovers at low speeds on level terrain. Nearly 60 fatalities and other serious injuries including head and neck injuries, and injuries to limbs that require amputation have been documented by the CPSC.
The CPSC urges all Yamaha owners to install half doors, additional passenger handholds, rear wheel spaces and remove the rear anti-sway bar. Consumers can visit their local dealers to have their vehicles modified free of charge. The CPSC urges that consumers
- Drive with safety in mind and recommends:
- Wear their seat belt properly every time,
- Strap on their helmet every time,
- Follow on-product warnings,
- Never remove the half-doors,
- Never allow a child younger than 16 to drive,
- Never allow a child to be a passenger if he/she is unable to place both feet on the floorboard with his/her back against the seat, and
- Only operate off-road--the Rhino is not designed for use on public roads or paved surfaces.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective ATV, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced crashworthiness attorneys to talk about your claim.
