Yamaha ATV Lawsuits: Over 200 Cases Filed for Rhino Rollover Injuries and Deaths
Since Yamaha introduced the Rhino side-by-side in 2003, the vehicle has been found to roll over even when it is operated at slow speeds on flat surfaces. This has resulted in a growing number of Yamaha ATV lawsuits filed by riders and passengers who suffered severe, and sometimes fatal, injuries.
There are over 200 known Yamaha Rhino lawsuits that have been filed in various state and federal courts throughout the United States.
The Yamaha lawsuits allege that design defects cause the Rhino to rollover, that inadequately warnings are provided about the stability problems and that Yamaha failed to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury for riders and passengers.
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Learn MoreYamaha designed to Rhino to compete with utility vehicles, such as the Kawasaki Mule and John Deere Gator. However, to gain a market advantage, they made the vehicle faster and more agile, with many traits of a recreational ATV.
Independent testing has confirmed that combining a powerful engine with a high center of gravity, a narrow wheel base and a quick turn radius, caused the Rhino to be very unstable and prone to roll over.
All of the Yamaha ATV lawsuits currently pending are filed as individual cases in various state and federal court systems throughout the United States. Although multiple people have alleged injuries as a result of the Rhino’s design defects, the cases have not been consolidated in an MDL or multidistrict litigation, which often occurs in complex product liability cases, such as those involving medical devices or dangerous drugs.
Since there is no consolidated or coordinated discovery, the exact number of pending Yamaha Rhino ATV lawsuits filed is not readily available.
The Sand family from Ohio, who lost their daughter in a Yamaha Rhino accident last year, started a website in their daughter’s honor to provide information about the safety concerns surrounding the Rhino. The family has done a thorough job of compiling a list of pending lawsuits against Yamaha involving the Rhino. According to a spreadsheet posted on the site, there are at least 210 Yamaha Rhino law suits that have been filed.
Almost every week, there are reports about a new Yamaha lawsuit that has been filed involving the Rhino stability problems. Unfortunately, there also continue to be Rhino accidents on a regular basis, so the number of lawsuits filed against Yamaha is only likely to continue to grow.
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10 Comments
kevinMay 13, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I agree with everyone who says quit being a crybaby and stand up and take responsibility for your stupidity. I can almost promise that a 16 year olsd was not just on a sunday stroll when he flipped. Tell me what you were doing at 16. I know I was hotdogging and acting stupid in any way possible. If you cant ride dont buy. Keep your pansy butts on the porch and let the real men ride and have fun. s[Show More]I agree with everyone who says quit being a crybaby and stand up and take responsibility for your stupidity. I can almost promise that a 16 year olsd was not just on a sunday stroll when he flipped. Tell me what you were doing at 16. I know I was hotdogging and acting stupid in any way possible. If you cant ride dont buy. Keep your pansy butts on the porch and let the real men ride and have fun. stay home and watch Oprah or something.
pamFebruary 16, 2010 at 7:00 pm
i would like to know if you have any lawsuits involving a kawasaki 6l0 4x4 mule and the steering knuckle?
brianOctober 8, 2009 at 2:44 pm
well i think jim is right. i have a mule 610 4x4 and this thing flips about everytime we ride. its the driver not the quad. if you get hurt its because you dont need to be riding a atv PERIOD
Little but hurtMay 28, 2009 at 3:57 am
I am 16 yrs old and I broke my arm and had to have two plates and 12 screws placed to hold my arm in place, alll the skin off my arm and now have to have several more surgeries to help my arm move because the rhino I was in rolled I was buckled in and when we rolled several times on a straight away my arm fell out and was pinned between the bar, I lose my arm and I think that they should have had[Show More]I am 16 yrs old and I broke my arm and had to have two plates and 12 screws placed to hold my arm in place, alll the skin off my arm and now have to have several more surgeries to help my arm move because the rhino I was in rolled I was buckled in and when we rolled several times on a straight away my arm fell out and was pinned between the bar, I lose my arm and I think that they should have had a better way of making these Rhinos.
craigMay 11, 2009 at 2:45 am
I have to agree with Jim on this one. Yamaha builds and sells these machines with warnings on the machine and warnings in the operators manual. The real problem is that people don't use common sense when riding. I have driven a Yamaha Rhino for the past 2 years. I also ride with 15-20 other rhino owners, some of who drive very aggressive. We ride mostly on hills and river banks. I have seen a rhin[Show More]I have to agree with Jim on this one. Yamaha builds and sells these machines with warnings on the machine and warnings in the operators manual. The real problem is that people don't use common sense when riding. I have driven a Yamaha Rhino for the past 2 years. I also ride with 15-20 other rhino owners, some of who drive very aggressive. We ride mostly on hills and river banks. I have seen a rhino roll over just once. The roll over would have happened even if this person would have been driving a full size truck. By the way he was not injured. In my opinion these lawsuits make as much sense as suing the gun makers for a drive by shooting.
RhiannonJanuary 19, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Re: Jim's statement in Oct. 2008 My hunsband was badley injured on one of these machines in 2007. You have no idea the pain he has been through or how it has changed our families lives. My 33 year old husband lives everyday in severe pain. After not be able to walk for a few months he is getting around but not without pain. He comes home from work everyday in severe pain. He can no longer do most [Show More]Re: Jim's statement in Oct. 2008 My hunsband was badley injured on one of these machines in 2007. You have no idea the pain he has been through or how it has changed our families lives. My 33 year old husband lives everyday in severe pain. After not be able to walk for a few months he is getting around but not without pain. He comes home from work everyday in severe pain. He can no longer do most activities he could before. And he was making a turn under 10 miles an hour on flat land. He was very careful. So don't judge and make remarks about everyone until you know all the facts. Not all these accidents happened due to bad drivers. Most happened due to poor design by the company. So until you wake up every morning and go to bed every night in pain due to a crushed leg and a titanium bar and srews being in your leg then make your stupid comments.
Motion Filed to Consolidate Yamaha Rhino Lawsuits : AboutLawsuits.comDecember 31, 2008 at 5:34 pm
[...] Yamaha has not confirmed how many cases have been filed by injured riders, estimates suggest that over 200 Yamaha Rhino ATV lawsuits currently pending in various state courts and federal courts throughout the [...]
Yamaha Rhino Rollover Lawsuit Filed in Florida : AboutLawsuits.comNovember 13, 2008 at 7:07 pm
[...] is no consolidated Yamaha Rhino litigation being handled in a coordinated fashion, so every lawsuit alleging design defects with vehicle is [...]
JimOctober 2, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Sue's statement is the most ludicrist comment imaginable. What happended to personal responsibility for one's action? People, you ARE responsible for the concequences of your decisions and actions. I am tired of this latest generation of cry babies who think "momma" is around the corner to pick them up and dust off their butts when they screw up. Mamma's gone, the police are too busy w/ crimin[Show More]Sue's statement is the most ludicrist comment imaginable. What happended to personal responsibility for one's action? People, you ARE responsible for the concequences of your decisions and actions. I am tired of this latest generation of cry babies who think "momma" is around the corner to pick them up and dust off their butts when they screw up. Mamma's gone, the police are too busy w/ criminals and Government is only interested in growing itself not taking care of those too lazy to take care of themselves. Throw the law suits out as frivalous, clear our court systems for deciding important issues of guilt and take responsibilty of your own life and ithe bumps that result from your decisions and actions.
SueOctober 2, 2008 at 12:43 am
It's about time the industry is held accountable for the deaths and injuries due to these deadly machines. I believe that not only Rhinos but ALL ATV's are unstable and rollover too easily. It's time the government stops protecting these big business and starts realizing that these machines are life threatening to all who ride them. If the machine isn't going to change at least the laws to driv[Show More]It's about time the industry is held accountable for the deaths and injuries due to these deadly machines. I believe that not only Rhinos but ALL ATV's are unstable and rollover too easily. It's time the government stops protecting these big business and starts realizing that these machines are life threatening to all who ride them. If the machine isn't going to change at least the laws to drive them should. Everyone should be of legal age to drive one and possess a valid drivers licence. These machines are fair more dangerous than cars are yet there are no laws saying who can drive one. This is really getting out of control and we need to stop the needless and senseless deaths related to these machines soon.