What This Litigation Is About

The Yamaha Rhino is a very unstable side by side four wheeler. Since it was introduced in 2003, there have been a substantial number of accidents caused by the Rhino rolling over and fracturing or crushing the legs and arms of riders.  Children, as well as adults, have suffered injuries.

The four-wheel, side by side Rhino manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation has become one of the most popular Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) sold on the market in the U.S. and Canada. The Rhino seats the driver and passenger next to each other. Some have claimed that the Rhino is less dangerous than All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or quads.

Pending claims allege that design defects make the Rhino fundamentally unstable. Information on the company’s web site, www.yamaha-motor.com and in the Yamaha Rhino Owner’s Manual acknowledges that “abrupt maneuvers or aggressive driving have caused rollovers – even on flat, open areas.”

A Yamaha Rhino safety bulletin was issued to Rhino owners in August 2007 advising that vehicles could be returned to Yamaha dealers for installation of new equipment - doors and passenger handholds - at no cost to owners, to improve vehicle safety. Yamaha recommended that Rhino owners have the doors and handholds installed. Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Customer Support Group, followed up with a letter to Rhino Owners in September 2006 urging safe operation, warning of risk of tip over or rollover under “certain conditions” and providing instructions for avoiding / correcting a tip over and safe operator / passenger conduct in the event of a tip over / rollover. Warning labels for attachment on the Rhino passenger enclosure were enclosed with the letter.

According to the Yamaha Motor Corporation web site, the 2007 Yamaha Rhino Owner’s Manual was updated to include the new doors and handholds, and including a note that these modifications were available at no charge to vehicle owners. Rhino owners were provided a supplemental Guide to Genuine Yamaha Doors/Handholds and Rhino Occupant Protection, as well as a new on-product label promoting awareness of the new products and acknowledging dangers of rollover. Dealers installing doors and passenger handholds were instructed to attach the new on-product label to the vehicle’s dashboard.

Doors and passenger handholds are standard on 2008 models of the Yamaha Rhino, according to Yamaha Motor Corporation’s customer service line. Customer service recommends that anyone purchasing a used Yamaha Rhino (prior to the 2008 model) check to see that the doors and passenger handholds have been installed, and to see a local Yamaha authorized dealer to install these items if this has not been done.

 Yamaha Rhino Rollover Problems

 In addition to the unreasonably dangerous design, the Yahaha Rhino was sold without proper protection and safety features which could have reduced the risk of injury to occupants. The vehicle was initially manufactured without any doors,  which allowed passengers' arms and legs to fall out of the vehicle as it  rolled. Many users have died or suffered  catastrophic injuries as a result of their body being crushed under the  weight of the ATV.

 The four wheel all-terrain Yamaha Rhino was designed with a powerful engine, fast acceleration  and a small turning radius. When Yamaha placed these features in a vehicle with a high center of gravity and small wheels on a narrow frame, they created a four wheeler that can  easily rollover, even if it is operated at slow speeds on a  flat surface.

There  are certain risks associated with the use of all ATV four wheelers. However, Yamaha  increased these risks by choosing a defective design and failing to take steps to protect the operator and passenger in the event of a crash. They also failed to warn users of the true extent of the risk they faced by riding in the Yamaha Rhino four wheeler.           

Even if the occupants are wearing their seatbelts and following  precautions outlined when they purchased the Yamaha Rhino, there remains a substantial  likelihood that serious or catastrophic injury could result if the Rhino crashes.

Common injuries which have been reported include:

            Crushed or Broken  Legs

            Crushed or Broken  Arms

            Amputated Limbs

            Head Injury

            Death

Based upon the information and research conducted by experts, we allege that the Yamaha Rhino has design defects that create a propensity for it to roll over while making certain low-speed turns. We further allege that the Rhino has inadequate protection for drivers and passengers, leaving feet and legs vulnerable to injuries in the event of a rollover accident.

These allegations must be demonstrated in each individual case.

If you or a family member has been injured by a Yamaha Rhino, you can contact me for a free no-obligation consultation.  I practice law in the state of Alabama, but I have affiliations with attorneys in other parts of the country.  If I cannot assist you personally, I will try to direct your case to a lawyer or firm that can.  I know that you or your loved one are possibly upset and need to tell me what you want me to know - in your own way.  You talk, I'll listen.

- Randal S. Ford          lawyerford@bellsouth.net            attorney@randalsford.com