Kentucky Lawyer: Yamaha Rhino Rollovers Cause Numerous Deaths and Injuries
Bahe Cook Cantley & Jones products liability lawyer Larry Jones, says, "Yamaha Rhino recreational vehicles have caused numerous deaths and injuries to innocent consumers, many of whom are children. Finally, the United States Government has decided to take some action."
On Wednesday, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission decided to write mandatory rules to regulate the four-wheel vehicles, following more than 100 deaths and numerous serious injuries since 2003.
These recreational vehicles, sometimes called ROVs or side-by-sides, are two-passenger motorized vehicles designed for drivers 16 years and older. The ROVs look like a cross between a rugged-looking golf cart and a miniature-Jeep, and have a roll cage - metal bars framing the cab.
Since 2003, the CPSC says 116 people have died, including young children, and more than 150 riders have been injured. Those injuries include crushing fractures to legs, feet and arms and some riders have lost limbs.
In March, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled more than 100,000 of its Rhino off-highway recreational vehicles for repairs after two models were linked to 46 deaths in the past six years. In a number of incidents, rollovers happened on level ground at relatively slow speeds, the agency said.
A CBS News report in August cited documents showing Yamaha executives were aware of the safety issues more than a year before their ROV - the Rhino - was introduced.
A Rhino carrying top Yamaha executives rolled over at a testing ground in Kentucky 15 months prior to the line's debut, reported CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian.
For more information about the rights of those injured or killed in a Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents, email Larry Jones by clicking this link.
