“The public needs to be aware that already 59 people have been killed in these vehicles,” said Inez Tenenbaum, head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission in a report airing tonight on CBS News. “It’s very high risk. This vehicle has a high center of gravity and it will turn over.”
CBS noted that there are no safety standards for these so-called “side-by-side” vehicles. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of hundreds of reported injuries involving the Rhino – including broken bones crushed legs, arms and heads – often on level ground at relatively low speeds. The commission also cites a disturbing number of deaths. The CBS News report featured Justin Miller, who lost his hand after a Rhino accident in May 2008. Miller stated, “The Yamaha Rhino started to rock and it tipped over on my left side, crushing my wrist.” Miller is represented by Lieff Cabraser in an injury lawsuit against Yamaha.
