Thursday, August 6, 2009

Yamaha Rhino implicated in 59 deaths, hundreds of injuries

NATIONWIDE - CBS News (8/4) on its website reported that the Yamaha Rhino off-road vehicle "is at the center of a legal firestorm. At least 59 riders have been killed in Rhino accidents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

More than 440 wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits are pending, and Yamaha has settled others." Plaintiffs "say the Rhino is dangerously unstable due to its unusually narrow stance, high ground clearance and lack of a rear differential to help in turning.

They also claim the Rhino's seat belts tend to unspool during rollovers, resulting in belted occupants being partially ejected." CPSC chief Inez Tenenbaum "said the safety commission is continuing to investigate" despite a Yamaha "free repair program" which appears to be "a recall in everything but name."

www.trippfirm.com

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