Press Release
Personal Injury Lawsuits Charge Yamaha Rhino Side By Side ATV Is Dangerously Unstable
San Francisco, CA, July 31, 2008 -- Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, announced that two Californians represented by the law firm yesterday filed separate personal injury lawsuits against Yamaha Motor Corporation. Each plaintiff suffered injuries in accidents while riding the Yamaha Rhino side-by-side all terrain vehicle ("ATV").
The plaintiffs allege that the Yamaha Rhino side-by-side contains multiple design flaws rendering it dangerously unstable and unduly prone to tipping and rolling over even when driven on flat ground at low speeds. These defects include a top-heavy design resulting in a high center of gravity, and a dangerously narrow track width. Together, these design flaws make the Rhino unduly prone to tip and roll over.
"The complaint charges that the Yamaha Rhino has caused numerous injuries, amputations, and deaths throughout the United States," stated Robert J. Nelson, a partner at Lieff Cabraser, who represents the plaintiffs. "The design flaws make the Rhino dangerously susceptible to tipping and rolling, even when being driven at slow speeds."
Despite literally hundreds of Rhino rollover accidents, there has been no formal recall of the vehicle by Yamaha. Instead, in August 2007, Yamaha announced that free of charge it would install half doors and a passenger handhold for Rhinos manufactured from 2004 through 2007. For the 2008 Rhino, Yamaha has added the half doors and a handhold as standard equipment.
The complaint charges that despite these improvements Yamaha has made no changes designed to improve the stability or handling of the Yamaha Rhino, in spite of the availability of safe and inexpensive alternative designs and feasible modifications.
"While its retrofit program was a step in the right direction, Yamaha has neither acknowledged nor addressed the Rhino's core stability problems," stated Nelson. "The tip overs and terrible accidents will continue to occur so long as the stability problems are not fixed."
About Plaintiffs' Counsel
Described by The American Lawyer as "one of the nation's premiere plaintiffs firms," Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, enjoys a national reputation for professional integrity and the efficient and responsible prosecution of our clients' claims. From its offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville, Lieff Cabraser represents over 100 persons across America seriously injured in Rhino accidents.
Persons injured in Yamaha Rhino accidents should visit http://www.yamaharhinorolloverandrecall.com, a website operated by Lieff Cabraser, to learn more about the dangers posed by the Yamaha Rhino, get answers to frequently asked questions, and read a guide to their legal rights. Click here to send an email message to the Yamaha Rhino accident injury attorneys at Lieff Cabraser. Lieff Cabraser personal injury lawyers will promptly review each case submitted without charge or obligation.
