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

YAMAHA RHINO RECALL – Update

Washington, D.C., March 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) call today for repairs and suspension of operations of Yamaha Rhino off-road recreational vehicles drew immediate praise from a group of safety advocates who less than a month ago, sent the agency a comprehensive analysis detailing the Rhino's hazards.

The CPSC's action is directed at fixing rollover-related safety defects in Rhino 450, 660, and 700 models. Yamaha advises that all use of the Rhino 450, 660, and 700 models be suspended until the repairs are made.

Today's action is "CPSC at its best," said Clarence Ditlow, the director of the Center for Auto Safety. "Hopefully this means that the CPSC intends to act vigorously in the future to lessen the designed-in hazards of ATV and UTV-type off-road vehicles."

The CPSC said its staff has investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger deaths in these two Rhino models. "More than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers and many involved unbelted occupants. Of the rollover-related deaths and hundreds of reported injuries, some of which were serious, many appear to involve turns at relatively low speeds and on level terrain," the agency said.

To view a copy of the CPSC recall announcement, please go to:

www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html.

If you have been injured while using a Yamaha Rhino, 450, 660 or 700 – Call the TRIPP LAW FIRM at (888) 392-LAWS (5297) for an immediate case evaluation. We will promptly review your case without charge or obligation on your part. We may be able to assist you in recovering damages for your pain and suffering along with past and future medical expenses.

www.trippfirm.com

Yamaha recalls off road vehicles after 46 deaths reported

The AP (4/1, Metzler) reports, "Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled about 120,000 off-highway recreational vehicles for repairs Tuesday, after two models were involved in 46 deaths." The company has recalled "all Rhino 450 and 660 model vehicles...for repairs designed to prevent accidents that resulted in 46 deaths and hundreds of injuries."

Most of the "incidents were rollovers" and "according to the CPSC many of these involved turns on level ground at relatively slow speeds."

Bloomberg News (4/1, Fujimura, Burke) reports, "Yamaha will fix 145,000 Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models introduced since 2003 for free," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement yesterday."