In 2003 the Yamaha Motor Company began selling the Yamaha Rhino all-terrain vehicle. The Rhino ATV has two bucket seats that allow riders to sit side by side, no side doors, and a flat truck-like bed in the back. This design gives the ATV a golf cart like appearance. Design Flaws and Serious Injuries The Yamaha Rhino ATV is an extremely dangerous vehicle because of certain design flaws that give the ATV a high propensity to roll over. The ATV is designed with a high center of gravity, a narrow wheel base and small wheels. That design combination makes a roll-over possible even on flat ground at a low speed. With no side protection from doors, riders can have their limbs trapped under the vehicle resulting in serious injuries such as broken bones, nerve damage or amputation. In some cases riders have had their bodies crushed under the vehicle during a rollover resulting in death. Despite the vast amount of injuries suffered by riders and lawsuits against Yamaha, the company refused to recall or change any of the design flaws of the vehicle. Instead Yamaha issued warning letters and mailed owners new warning labels in 2006 and 2007. Finally in August 2007, Yamaha agreed to install doors and passenger handholds on existing Rhinos but did not make any changes to vehicle design to prevent the vehicle from rolling over.

CPSC Investigation and Repair Program The Consumer Product Safety Commission began investigating the Rhino in late 2008. The investigation stemmed from more than 200 lawsuits and 30 deaths associated with the Rhino. The CSPC investigated more than 50 incidents involving the Rhino and found 46 driver and passenger deaths from roll over. Of the other hundreds of injuries reported, the majority involve turns at low speed on level ground. The investigation led to a free repair program to all existing Rhino ATVs and Yamaha agreed to suspend the sale of the ATV until the design flaws have been corrected. The repair program which began in April 2009 includes the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar. These measures are meant to lessen the risk of a roll over and improve vehicle handling. Doors and handholds will also continue to be installed as part of this program.

Contacting an Attorney The lawyers at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg and Jeck P.C. have extensive knowledge and experience in handling cases involving ATV rollover accidents in all 50 states. If you or a loved one has ever suffered from a serious injury as a result of a rollover then you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer. Contact us, for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.