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	<title>Yourlawyer.com (Yamaha Rhino ATV Rollover News)</title>
	<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover</link>
	<description></description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:04:51 -0800</pubDate>

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		<title>New Standards Wanted for Yamaha Rhino, Other ROVs</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/17126</link>		
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/17126</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Off-highway and off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year and we have been following this issue for some time. Now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommending it set mandatory rules to &ldquo;regulate recreational off-highway vehicles,&rdquo; such as the Yamaha Rhino.The move anticipates regulators stepping up some consumer safety issues under President...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Off-highway and off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year and we have been following this issue for some time. Now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommending it set mandatory rules to &ldquo;regulate recreational off-highway vehicles,&rdquo; such as the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Yamaha-Rhino-Recall">Yamaha Rhino</a>.<br /><br />The move anticipates regulators stepping up some consumer safety issues under President Obama, who has called for increased consumer protections since he was sworn into office. The five agency commissioners, who just received a written recommendation, are mandated to now propose a rulemaking, which must be in place prior to rule implementation, said the Journal. A vote on the rulemaking could take place as early as next Wednesday.<br /><br />Off-highway vehicles, or ROVs, are typically outfitted with at least four low-pressure tires and seat at least one person, said the Journal. ROVs are generally meant for recreation and are new to the market but have been a huge seller with over 416,000 in use at year-end 2008, said the Journal. In 2003, less than 45,000 ROVs were in use. With the rise in sales, however, came a correlative increase in ROV accidents with 181 taking place since 2003 and until this August with 152 injuries and 116 fatalities, said the Journal, citing <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">CPSC</a> data.<br /><br />Of concern is that ROVs are not required to follow the same safety standards that are in place for ATVs&mdash;all-terrain vehicles&mdash;which have been on the market longer, said the Journal, due to some specific differences in the design of the two vehicle types. But even ATVs with their more stringent safety standards still have their problems and can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims, nearly one in five was a child. In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving these vehicles sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year. <br /><br />ATV standards, which were previously voluntary, became mandatory in 2009 following implementation of the recent broad federal product safety law, said Reuters. The law focused on children&rsquo;s toys and products among other popular items. While most products follow industry standard guidelines, which are voluntary, the CPSC will mandate standards for those products the have proven to create significant hazards to consumers, explained Reuters. By mandating these standards, regulators can respond to issues such as recalls, quicker.<br /><br />Poor design and regulation have both been blamed for the rising toll on ROV rider injury and death with speed, the large size of the vehicles, and their propensity to rollovers, among cited problems said Reuters. And, while advocates blame industry and government, industry argues that consumers are operating the vehicles recklessly and the vehicles are safe when used properly.<br /><br />Recreational vehicles, such as the Yamaha Rhino, have been linked to a high number of accident and death reports, as well as the high number of product liability suits. Critics allege the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollover accidents, saying that the Rhino is top heavy, and has tires that are extremely narrow. Allegedly, these design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. These critics also charge Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. Over 100,000 Rhinos have been recalled over design defect issues.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Another Yamaha Rhino Warning</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16849</link>		
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16849</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding owners of the Yamaha Rhino to be safe this summer.&nbsp; Figures from the agency indicate that accidents involving the Yamaha Rhino continue to be reported.We have long been reporting about the dangers associated with the Yamaha Rhino. Last year, the CPSC decided to investigate the Yamaha Rhino because of the high number of accident and death reports involving the vehicle, as wells as...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding owners of the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino</a> to be safe this summer.&nbsp; Figures from the agency indicate that accidents involving the Yamaha Rhino continue to be reported.<br /><br />We have long been reporting about the dangers associated with the Yamaha Rhino. Last year, the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09296.html">CPSC</a> decided to investigate the Yamaha Rhino because of the high number of accident and death reports involving the vehicle, as wells as the high number of product liability suits filed by people who claim they were injured by the Rhino.<br /><br />While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics allege the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollover accidents. They charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. Allegedly, these design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. These critics also charge Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident.<br /><br />In March, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled 145,000 dangerous Rhino model 450, 660 and 700 off-road vehicles.&nbsp; A free vehicle repair and helmet giveaway was offered to all owners of the recalled Rhino models, in order to enhance stability and reduce the potential for rollover.<br /><br />At the time the CPSC said the Yamaha Rhino vehicles had been linked to 46 deaths. The agency also said it had investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger deaths in two of Yamaha&rsquo;s Rhino models.&nbsp; Now the CPSC is reporting that as of&nbsp; June 23, 2009, it has received reports of nearly 60 fatalities involving the 450, 660 and 700 models of the Yamaha Rhino. A number of very serious injuries have also been reported, including injuries to the head and neck, and incidents requiring surgical amputation of victims&rsquo; arms, legs, and fingers. Many of these cases appear to have involved rollovers at relatively low speeds and on level terrain, the CPSC said. &nbsp;<br /><br />The CPSC believes that in order to provide a safer ride, all Rhinos must have half-doors, additional passenger handholds, spacers on the rear wheels, and the rear anti-sway bar removed. Consumers should immediately stop using Rhinos until the repairs are installed by a dealer. While these repairs will improve the safety of these vehicles, the repairs alone are not enough. Owners of vehicles should be sure that riders and passengers:<br /><br /><ul><li>wear their seat belt properly every time, </li><li>strap on their helmet every time, </li><li>follow on-product warnings, </li><li>never remove the half-doors, </li><li>never allow a child younger than 16 to drive, </li><li>never allow a child to be a passenger if he/she is unable to place both feet on the floorboard with his/her back against the seat, and </li><li>only operate off-road&mdash;the Rhino is not designed for use on public roads or paved surfaces. </li></ul><br />Improving the safety system of the vehicle, combined with occupant attention to safe riding practices, will lead to reduced deaths and injuries. &nbsp;<br /><br />For additional information on the free Rhino repair program, consumers should contact Yamaha at 800-962-7926 anytime, or visit the firm&rsquo;s Web site at www.yamaha-motor.com. <br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Another Yamaha Rhino Death Reported in New York</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16604</link>		
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16604</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A fatal Yamaha Rhino accident in upstate New York is raising fresh concerns about the safety about the popular off-road vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp; Though the victim in this incident was not wearing a seat belt or helmet, his father claims he was not aware the Rhino had been involved in dozens of fatal rollover accidents over the past several years.Wyatt Spencer, 13 -years-old, was killed last Thursday in Knox, NY when the Yamaha Rhino he was riding...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[A fatal <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino accident</a> in upstate New York is raising fresh concerns about the safety about the popular off-road vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp; Though the victim in this incident was not wearing a seat belt or helmet, his father claims he was not aware the Rhino had been involved in dozens of fatal rollover accidents over the past several years.<br /><br />Wyatt Spencer, 13 -years-old, was killed last Thursday in Knox, NY when the Yamaha Rhino he was riding rolled over last Thursday afternoon. A friend who was riding in the Yamaha as a passenger was not injured.<br /><br />Last year, complaints about the Yamaha Rhino prompted the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html">Consumer Products Safety Commission</a> (CPSC) to open an investigation of the vehicle. In March, the commission said it had investigated 50 Rhino accidents which had resulted in 46 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries. According to the CPSC, more than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers.<br /><br />The investigation prompted the CPSC and Yamaha to announce a recall of all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models distributed since fall of 2003. Under the recall, Yamaha will repair the vehicles free of charge. These repairs include the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants&rsquo; arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. The company is also extending a free helmet offer to owners of the affected Yamaha Rhinos.<br /><br />Wyatt Spencer had only received the Yamaha 450 a few hours before his fatal accident.&nbsp;&nbsp; His father, James Spencer, told a local TV station that Wyatt was very experienced with off road vehicles, 4 wheelers, motor bikes and tractors.<br /><br />According to a report on wten.com,&nbsp; Wyatt 's father said that he had only been told that the Rhino's &quot;rear tires needed to be retro-fitted for stability reasons.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp; Those repairs had been made prior to Wyatt's accident. James Spencer said that he was also not aware that deaths had occurred in Rhino rollover accidents.&nbsp; He also questioned the effectiveness of the repairs that had been made on Wyatt's Rhino.&nbsp; &quot;It seems to me that you would want to stabilize all four corners on these things instead of just the rear wheels,&quot; the elder Spencer said. &quot;It just doesn't make sense to me.&quot;<br /><br />It hasn't been determined yet what role the design of the Yamaha Rhino may have played in Wyatt's crash. However, police have pointed out that Wyatt's failure to use his seat belt or a helmet contributed to its seriousness.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Yamaha Faces Third West Virginia Rhino Lawsuit</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16571</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16571</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Another Yamaha Rhino rollover accident has sparked a third lawsuit in West Virginia.&nbsp; The complaint was filed by the father of a young girl who was seriously injured when the Yamaha Rhino she was riding in flipped.The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) opened an investigation into the Rhino last year.&nbsp; As a result of that probe, in March Yamaha announced a recall of all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models distributed since fall of...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Another <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino rollover accident</a> has sparked a third lawsuit in West Virginia.&nbsp; The complaint was filed by the father of a young girl who was seriously injured when the Yamaha Rhino she was riding in flipped.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html">Consumer Products Safety Commission</a> (CPSC) opened an investigation into the Rhino last year.&nbsp; As a result of that probe, in March Yamaha announced a recall of all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models distributed since fall of 2003. Yamaha offered to&nbsp; repair affected Rhinos free of charge. These repairs include the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels, as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling.<br /><br />Brian Shears' lawsuit claims his daughter was seriously injured in March 2006 because of the Yamaha Rhino's faulty design and lack of safety features, such as doors.&nbsp; The lawsuit claims Shears' daughter suffered emotional injuries, physical impairment, disfigurement, pain, discomfort, disability and anxiety. She also lost wages, according to the complaint.&nbsp; Her father incurred significant medical expenses.<br /><br />The lawsuit points out that Yamaha knew the Rhino was dangerous, as evidenced by a notice the company issued in&nbsp; September 2006.&nbsp; It warned the vehicle could roll over when driven aggressively or on sloping terrain. It also cautioned owners that in the event of a rollover, they should not stick their arms and legs outside the vehicle, according to the complaint. &nbsp;<br /><br />Then in 2007, Yamaha issued another notification that some Rhino owners had experienced rollover accidents even on flat surfaces, at slow rates of speed.&nbsp; At that time, the company offered to make&nbsp; free modifications on the Rhino, including the addition of handholds and doors.&nbsp; But Shears' lawsuit alleges that not all Rhino owners received that notification.<br /><br />Shears' lawsuit is seeking unspecified compensatory, special and punitive damages, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Bush Hog Recalls 850 Defective UTVs</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16437</link>		
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16437</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bush Hog Off-Road Utility Vehicles (UTV) are being recalled because of a defect that could pose a risk of injury to drivers and passengers.&nbsp; The Bush Hog UTV recall comes just weeks after Yamaha Motor Corp. USA issued a massive recall for dangerous Rhino UTVs.The Bush Hog UTV recall involves about 850 units.&nbsp; The recall includes the Bush Hog Models TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles. &ldquo;Bush Hog&rdquo; is...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bush Hog Off-Road Utility Vehicles (UTV) are being recalled because of a defect that could pose a risk of injury to drivers and passengers.&nbsp; The Bush Hog UTV recall comes just weeks after Yamaha Motor Corp. USA issued a massive recall for dangerous <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Yamaha-Rhino-Recall">Rhino UTVs</a>.<br /><br />The Bush Hog UTV recall involves about 850 units.&nbsp; The recall includes the Bush Hog Models TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles. &ldquo;Bush Hog&rdquo; is printed on the utility vehicle&rsquo;s cargo bed tail gate and on each side of the cargo bed. Model &ldquo;TH4400&rdquo;or &ldquo;4430&rdquo; is printed on each side of the hood. The hood color is red, green, or mossy oak. The recalled Bush Hog UTVs were sold at Bush Hog dealerships nationwide from April 2008 to December 2008 for between $8,000 and $10,000.<br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09736.html">Consumer Products Safety Commission</a> (CPSC), the UTV's throttle cable can lock in freezing temperatures. This can cause the engine not to return to idle when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal, posing a risk of loss of vehicle control and injury to the driver and passenger.<br /><br />Bush Hog has received one report of an incident involving a frozen throttle cable on a utility vehicle. No injuries have been reported, the CPSC said.<br /><br />Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled off-road UTVs and contact a Bush Hog dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair. All registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail. Bush Hog is issuing a $50 incentive check for retail customers that bring their machines in for the throttle cable replacement.<br /><br />The Bush Hog UTV is the second such vehicle recalled since March.&nbsp; Late last month, well over 100,000 Yamaha Rhino 450, 660 and 700 UTVs were recalled after they were linked to 46 deaths, most of which occurred as a result of rollover accidents.&nbsp; In the past , critics have charged that Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface.<br />&nbsp;<br />The problems with the Yamaha Rhino have highlighted the inadequate regulation of UTVs.&nbsp; Another type of off-roader, all terrain vehicles (ATV) are subject to stricter rules.&nbsp; That's mainly due to design differences between ATVs and UTVs - for instance, ATVs have handlebars, while UTVs like the Rhino have steering wheels. But neither are UTVs subject to the much-tougher standards for cars.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Yamaha Rollover Accidents Prompt Scores of Lawsuits</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16351</link>		
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16351</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents.&nbsp; The high number of accidents linked to the Rhino off-road vehicle was among the reasons U.S. regulators launched an investigation of the popular off-roader last November.&nbsp; That investigation culminated in the recall of more than 145,000 Rhinos announced earlier this week.While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents.&nbsp; The high number of accidents linked to the Rhino off-road vehicle was among the reasons U.S. regulators launched an investigation of the popular off-roader last November.&nbsp; That investigation culminated in the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Yamaha-Rhino-Recall">recall</a> of more than 145,000 Rhinos announced earlier this week.<br /><br />While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap - rollover accidents.&nbsp; They charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. <br /><br />Critics of Yamaha say the company has been too slow to acknowledge the Rhino's rollover problems. In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of the vehicles warning that the Rhino was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. However, the wording of the Yamaha letter seemed to place much of the blame for Rhino rollover accident injuries on the victims themselves. In 2007,&nbsp; Yamaha offered to modify the vehicles free of charge. These modifications included the addition of doors to the vehicle, as well as additional handholds.&nbsp; Unfortunately, it is clear now that these fixes were not enough, as Rhino rollover accidents continued to take a devastating toll on victims.<br /><br />The Rhino's problems have resulted in hundreds of lawsuits.&nbsp; So many in fact, that recently, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that all Yamaha Rhino rollover Federal lawsuits be consolidated before a Federal Judge in Kentucky. The action centralizes the Federal suits into Multidistrict Litigation (&quot;MDL&quot;) so that all pretrial discovery and litigation from all Federal Rhino cases will be heard in one court.<br /><br />Those lawsuits helped spark the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html">CPSC's</a> investigation of the Rhino.&nbsp; Earlier this week, the commission said it had investigated 50 Rhino accidents which had resulted in 46 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.&nbsp; According to the CPSC, more than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers.<br /><br />The investigation prompted the CPSC and Yamaha to announce a recall of all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models distributed since fall of 2003.&nbsp; Under the recall, Yamaha will repair the vehicles free of charge.&nbsp; These repairs include the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants&rsquo; arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. The company is also extending a free helmet offer to owners of the affected Yamaha Rhinos.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Yamaha Rhino Death Prompts Canadian Lawsuit</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16345</link>		
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16345</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yamaha Motor Corp. faces a Canadian lawsuit over its defective Rhino off-road vehicle.&nbsp; Just yesterday, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled the Rhino and suspended sales after U.S. regulators found the vehicles had been responsible for at least 46 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollovers....]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Yamaha Motor Corp. faces a Canadian lawsuit over its <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">defective Rhino off-road vehicle</a>.&nbsp; Just yesterday, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled the Rhino and suspended sales after U.S. regulators found the vehicles had been responsible for at least 46 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.<br /><br />While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollovers. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.<br /><br />According to Bloomberg.com, the Canadian lawsuit was filed on Dec. 12, following the death of a 13-year-old boy in a Rhino rollover accident.&nbsp; Yamaha Motor Corp. was expected to be served with the lawsuit today.&nbsp;&nbsp; The lawsuit must be certified a class action before it can proceed, Bloomberg.com said. &nbsp;<br /><br />The victim, Wyatt Bauer of Rimbey, Alberta, was killed while vacationing in 2007 when the Rhino he was driving tipped over and crushed him. His family seeks C$400 million ($316 million) in damages, Bloomberg.com said.<br /><br />Accidents like the one that killed Wyatt Bauer prompted the U.S. <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html">Consumer Products Safety Commission</a> (CPSC) to announce yesterday&rsquo;s recall of all Yamaha Rhino Models 450, 660 and 700 distributed since the fall of 2003.&nbsp; The CPSC had been conducting a probe of&nbsp; the Rhino since last November, and said in yesterday&rsquo;s announcement that it investigated 50 accidents involving the Rhino that had resulted in 46 deaths.&nbsp; 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 appeared to involve turns at relatively low speeds and on level terrain, the CPSC said.<br /><br />Under the U.S. recall, Yamaha will be repairing the Rhinos free of charge.&nbsp; According to the CPSC, Yamaha&rsquo;s repair includes the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants&rsquo; arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. The company is also extending a free helmet offer to owners of the affected Yamaha Rhinos.<br /><br />Though the Rhino&rsquo;s problems have been apparent almost from the time it was introduced in 2003, this is the first time Yamaha has recalled the vehicle because of rollover accidents.&nbsp; In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of the Rhino warning that the vehicle was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. Yamaha warned passengers of the Rhino to use seatbelts, and to keep their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.&nbsp; The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to tip over.<br /><br />In 2007, Yamaha offered to modify all Rhinos free of charge.&nbsp; These modifications included new doors and additional passenger handholds.&nbsp; These modifications were offered to all purchasers of Rhino vehicles, whether they bought their vehicles new or used. Yamaha also provided more warning labels for the Rhino and updated the Rhino owner's manual to include information about the modifications and rollover risks.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Thousands of Yamaha Rhino Vehicles Recalled Following 46 Deaths</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16330</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16330</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is recalling 120,000 dangerous Rhino off-road vehicles.&nbsp; According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the defective Yamaha Rhino vehicles have been linked to 46 deaths. Yamaha has announced a&nbsp; free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 model.&nbsp; Owners of the deadly Yamaha Rhino are being warned not to use them until the repairs are made.According to the CPSC,...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is recalling 120,000 dangerous <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Rhino off-road vehicles</a>.&nbsp; According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the defective Yamaha Rhino vehicles have been linked to 46 deaths. </p><p>Yamaha has announced a&nbsp; free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 model.&nbsp; Owners of the deadly Yamaha Rhino are being warned not to use them until the repairs are made.<br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html">CPSC</a>, it&nbsp; 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 CPSC said.<br /><br />The 450, 660 and 700 model Yamaha Rhinos have been distributed nationwide since Fall 2003. Some units have been equipped by Yamaha with half doors and additional passenger handholds, either before or after sale.<br /><br />According to the CPSC, Yamaha&rsquo;s repair includes the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants&rsquo; arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. The company is also extending a free helmet offer to owners of the affected Yamaha Rhinos.<br /><br />Once these repairs have been made to their vehicles, the CPSC is urging Rhino users to always wear their helmet and seatbelt and follow the safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner&rsquo;s manuals and other safety materials. The Rhino is only recommended for operators 16 and older with a valid driver&rsquo;s license. All passengers must be tall enough to place both feet on the floorboard with their back against the seat back.<br /><br />For additional information, contact Yamaha at 800-962-7926 anytime, or visit the firm&rsquo;s Web site at www.yamaha-motor.com<br /><br />We have long been reporting about the dangers associated with the Yamaha Rhino.&nbsp; The CPSC decided to investigate the Yamaha Rhino last November because of the high number of accident and death reports involving the vehicle, as wells as the high number of product liability suits - at least 200 - filed by people who claim they were injured by the Rhino.<br /><br />While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino&nbsp; is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollover accidents.&nbsp; They charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident.<br /><br />Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the CPSC has not set safety standards for vehicles like the Rhino, which&nbsp; it classifies as a utility terrain vehicle, or UTV.&nbsp; Another class of off-roaders, all terrain vehicles (ATVs),&nbsp; are subject to safety standards. Vehicles like the Rhino aren&rsquo;t classified as ATV because of design differences such as having a steering wheel, in contrast to the ATVs&rsquo; handlebars. But neither are vehicles such as the Rhino subject to the much-tougher standards for cars.<br /><br /></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>CPSC Says ATVs Can Be Sold to 12-to15 Year Olds</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16078</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16078</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is bending to industry pressure by allowing All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) which are designated for children age 12 to 15 to be excluded from new lead content regulations.&nbsp; The CPSC decision means these ATVs will&nbsp; not be considered children&rsquo;s products.According to Off Road, the CPSC &ldquo;heard the concerns of the motorcycle and ATV industries and riders and is responding by taking...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is bending to industry pressure by allowing <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)</a> which are designated for children age 12 to 15 to be excluded from new lead content regulations.&nbsp; The CPSC decision means these ATVs will&nbsp; not be considered children&rsquo;s products.<br /><br />According to Off Road, the CPSC &ldquo;heard the concerns of the motorcycle and ATV industries and riders and is responding by taking action to meet their needs.&rdquo;&nbsp; In response, said Off Road, the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">CPSC</a> deemed that ATVs for children in this category&mdash;formerly the Y12 category&mdash;are not prohibited under new lead laws.<br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s time for everyone to be aware that those models for youths 12 to 15 are not deemed to be children&rsquo;s products under the law,&rdquo; said Scott Wolfson, a CPSC spokesman. &ldquo;Those that are the old Y12 or any newer version of a model [for 12- to 15-year-olds] do not have to come off showroom floors and can be sold appropriately to young riders,&rdquo; Wolfson told Off Road.<br /><br />Last year, Congress passed the first overhaul to consumer protection laws in about 20 years, mostly over the glut of recalled Chinese-made, lead-tainted toys.&nbsp; The Act&mdash;the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)&mdash;strengthens and expands the existing lead standard for children&rsquo;s products and toys and the CPSC is charged with ensuring appropriate implementation, which limits lead amounts in paint and materials contained in items designed for children age 12 and younger.<br /><br />Next year, such manufacturers will be required to obtain independent testing to ensure products are lead-free.&nbsp; Now, in the days before and since the Act has taken effect on February 10, manufacturers and retailers have been looking for ways to skirt the mandates. &nbsp;<br /><br />Many experts agree that lead in any amount is dangerous to children, fetuses, and adults and many consider lead poisoning to be one of the most important chronic environmental illnesses affecting children today.&nbsp; Despite efforts to control lead, serious cases still occur.<br /><br />In children and fetuses, lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems.&nbsp; Lead is also known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, lead can damage the nervous system.&nbsp; Once poisoned by lead, no organ system is immune.&nbsp; Unfortunately, lead poisoning is difficult to recognize because it manifests with subtle symptoms and there are no definitive indicators that point to contamination.<br /><br />Wolfson said dealers should &ldquo;keep in touch with CPSC. We have heard the voices of those throughout the industry and those who are riders. We&rsquo;re working as hard as we can as an agency. We have a vast child safety law we are continuing to interpret,&rdquo; quoted Off Road.&nbsp; &ldquo;We&rsquo;re dealing with more than ATVs&mdash;we&rsquo;re dealing with every single product for children under 12,&rdquo; Wolfson added, saying, &ldquo;We need a little bit more time to process the petitions and make assessments&hellip;.&nbsp; The industry needs to settle down and give the agency the appropriate amount of time to review the petition and make sound decisions that will benefit everyone in the marketplace,&rdquo; quoted Off Road.<br /><br /><br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>KTM Recalls ATVs Over Brake Defect</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16035</link>		
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16035</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) made by KTM&nbsp; North America, Inc. have been recalled due to a brake failure problem.&nbsp; According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), anyone with one of these recalled ATVs should stop using the vehicle immediately and contact their local KTM dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repairThe KTM ATV recall involves 2700 vehicles.&nbsp; According to the recall notice, the rear brake caliper...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">All-terrain vehicles</a> (ATVs) made by KTM&nbsp; North America, Inc. have been recalled due to a brake failure problem.&nbsp; According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09721.html">Consumer Products Safety Commission</a> (CPSC), anyone with one of these recalled ATVs should stop using the vehicle immediately and contact their local KTM dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair<br /><br />The KTM ATV recall involves 2700 vehicles.&nbsp; According to the recall notice, the rear brake caliper support can crack and the front brake operation can experience a loss of pressure, posing a risk of the rider losing braking and steering control and suffering injuries or death.&nbsp; The ATVs included in the recall are as follows:</p><ul><li>Model Year: 2008, 2009; Model Name: 450XC; Description: Black/Orange</li><li>Model Year: 2008, 2009; Model Name: 525XC; Description: Black/Orange</li><li>Model Year: 2009; Model Name: 450SX;&nbsp; Description: Black/Orange</li><li>Model Year: 2009; Model Name: 505SX; Description:&nbsp; Black/Orange</li></ul>The recalled KTM ATVs were sold at&nbsp; KTM dealers nationwide from August 2007 through January 2009 for between $9,300 and $11,700. Consumers with the recalled ATVs have been directly contacted regarding this recall. Anyone seeking additional information about this recall should contact KTM toll-free at (888) 985-6090 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm&rsquo;s Web site at www.ktmnorthamerica.com<br /><br />Unfortunately, ATV recalls are not rare, and these vehicles can be quite dangerous.&nbsp; The CPSC&rsquo;s 2007 Annual Report on ATV-related Deaths and Injuries found that serious injuries requiring emergency room care increased from 146,000 in 2006 to 150,900 in 2007.&nbsp; Since 2001, the increase is statistically significant at 37 percent.&nbsp; The estimated number of ATV-related fatalities was 948 in 2005 and 882 in 2006.&nbsp; Since 2001, there has been a statistically significant 17 percent increase in children under 16 who have been seriously injured on ATVs.<br /><br />Part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008&nbsp; that we have been reporting on and that goes into effect today includes an ATV safety provision that creates a mandatory safety standard for ATVs. However, critics of the rules complained that they primarily protected the economic interests of the largest ATV manufacturers.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Oregon Imposes New ATV Rules</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15797</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15797</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Effective January 1, new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rules are in place in the State of Oregon. Under Oregon's new rules, all people under the age of 16 who operate an ATV on public land must have adult supervision.&nbsp; According to the Mail Tribune, the adult&mdash;and the youth&mdash;must also have successfully completed a state-approved safety-training course and the youth is required to meet rider-fit guidelines for the vehicle.The paper...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Effective January 1, new <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rules</a> are in place in the State of Oregon. Under Oregon's new rules, all people under the age of 16 who operate an ATV on public land must have adult supervision.&nbsp; According to the Mail Tribune, the adult&mdash;and the youth&mdash;must also have successfully completed a state-approved safety-training course and the youth is required to meet rider-fit guidelines for the vehicle.<br /><br />The paper also provided the following information on the minimum-physical-size requirements for Class I&mdash;Quad Rider&mdash;Operators who are under 16 years of age regarding brake and grip reach, leg length, handle bars, and disabled riders:<br /><br /><ul><li>Brake Reach:&nbsp; Involves hand location and finger position in relation to the brake lever and clutch.</li><li>Leg Length:&nbsp; Involves leg angle when sitting on the ATV.</li><li>Grip Reach:&nbsp; Involves arm and forearm angle when sitting on the ATV.</li><li>Handle Bars:&nbsp; Involves the rider&rsquo;s ability to turn the handle bars from lock to lock while maintaining both a grip on the bars and throttle and brake control.</li><li>Disabled Riders: Involves the rider&rsquo;s ability to use prosthetics or modified/adaptive equipment assuming appropriate rider fit is met.</li></ul><br />John Lane, the ATV safety education coordinator for the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation said the rules came about following an increase in ATV injuries to younger riders, according to the Mail Tribune, which noted that the Oregon Trauma Registry recorded over 1,200 such injuries in a recent five-year period, rising nearly 80 percent and injuring&mdash;in 20 percent of the cases&mdash;children under the age of 15.<br /><br />Based on 2007 legislation a minimum age requirement will be phased in and will increase annually until all riders will be required to carry an ATV Safety Education Card while riding on state land, said the Mail Tribune, which added that the requirement will be in full effect in 2014.&nbsp; Safety training is exempt for ATV and off-road motorcycles when used for farming, agriculture, forestry, nursery, Christmas tree growing operations, and when riding on private land.<br /><br />Late last year, TradingMarkets.com reported on ATV standards set forth in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).&nbsp; According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), &ldquo;new ATVs must comply with the standard and must also have an &lsquo;ATV Action Plan&rsquo;&rdquo; that contains &ldquo;safety requirements on issues such as training&rdquo; and indicates specific ATV equipment and configuration requirements said TradingMarkets.com, that include:&nbsp; &ldquo;Owner's/operator's manuals, labels and hang tags, maximum speed capability, speed capability of youth ATVs, service and parking brakes, pitch stability, electromagnetic compatibility, and sound level limits.&rdquo;&nbsp; Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) explained that ATV manufacturers and distributors&rsquo; written action plans must list not only those actions being implemented to &ldquo;promote ATV safety,&rdquo; the plans must include details on &ldquo;rider training, age recommendations, and monitoring of sales.&rdquo;&nbsp; OHS noted that each subject in the plan must be certified and bear a label of certification.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Two More Yamaha Rhino Victims Sue Over Injuries</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15482</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15482</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Yamaha Rhino utility terrain vehicle (UTV) is the subject of two more personal injury lawsuits.&nbsp; Plaintiffs in both lawsuits allege that the Yamaha Rhino contains multiple design flaws rendering it dangerously unstable and unduly prone to tipping and rolling over.Just last week, it was learned that federal safety officials were investigating the Yamaha Rhino, which has been linked to 30 deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Consumer Products Safety...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Yamaha Rhino utility terrain vehicle (UTV) is the subject of two more personal injury lawsuits.&nbsp; Plaintiffs in both lawsuits allege that the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino</a> contains multiple design flaws rendering it dangerously unstable and unduly prone to tipping and rolling over.<br /><br />Just last week, it was learned that federal safety officials were investigating the Yamaha Rhino, which has been linked to 30 deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp; The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">Consumer Products Safety Commission </a>(CPSC) decision to investigate the Yamaha Rhino was based on&nbsp; accident and death reports involving the vehicle, as wells as the high number of product liability suits - at least 200 - filed by people who claim they were injured by the Rhino. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the CPSC has not set safety standards for vehicles like the Rhino, which it classifies as a utility terrain vehicle, or UTV.&nbsp; Another class of off-roaders, all terrain vehicles (ATVs),&nbsp; are subject to safety standards. Vehicles like the Rhino aren&rsquo;t classified as ATV because of design differences such as having a steering wheel, in contrast to the ATVs&rsquo; handlebars. But neither are vehicles such as the Rhino subject to the much-tougher standards for cars.<br /><br />While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino ATV is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap - rollover accidents.&nbsp; They charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. <br /><br />Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal. <br /><br />Last week, the parents of an 11-year-old Tennessee girl filed suit in federal court in Nashville against Yamaha Motor Corp. for the injuries she sustained as a result of the Rhino's alleged defects..&nbsp; On June 10, 2005, the girl was riding as a passenger in a Rhino when during normal operation the vehicle tipped over onto the passenger side. She suffered severe injuries to her knee, arm, foot and ankle, requiring surgery and the amputation of four toes on her right foot. <br /><br />&quot;We hope the lawsuit will lead Yamaha to acknowledge its legal responsibility to injured riders and make the Rhino a safe vehicle,&quot; the girls mother said in a statement announcing the family's Yamaha Rhino lawsuit.<br /><br />A second personal injury lawsuit was also filed in Georgia state court by a 47-year-old man who said he sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of the Yamaha Rhino.&nbsp; According to the Georgia lawsuit, the plaintiff sustained his injuries on August 17, 2007, when the Rhino he was driving tipped over at a low rate of speed. The plaintiff sustained numerous fractures, dislocations, and lacerations, and was stranded alone for over six hours before rescue.&nbsp; The severity of the plaintiff's&nbsp; injuries necessitated the amputation of one-third of his left foot.&nbsp; The lawsuit also states that the victim has had to undergo numerous surgeries, continues to suffer severe and persistent pain and is at risk for early onset of arthritis. <br /><br />In a statement announcing the Georgia Yamaha Rhino lawsuit, the attorney representing the injured man said Yamaha Rhino must address the Rhino's stability problems. &quot;Yamaha has made no design changes to improve the stability or handling of the Yamaha Rhino, in spite of the availability of safe and inexpensive alternative designs and feasible modifications,&quot; the lawyer said. <br /><br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title> Yamaha Rhino Accidents Prompt CPSC Investigation</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15436</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15436</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Federal safety officials are investigating the Yamaha Rhino, a popular off-road-vehicle that has been linked to 30 deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp; Unfortunately, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has not set safety standards for vehicles like the Rhino, which it classifies as a utility terrain vehicle, or UTV.&nbsp; Another class of off-roaders, all terrain vehicles (ATVs),&nbsp; are subject to safety standards.While off-road vehicles are...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Federal safety officials are investigating the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino</a>, a popular off-road-vehicle that has been linked to 30 deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp; Unfortunately, the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">Consumer Products Safety Commission</a> (CPSC) has not set safety standards for vehicles like the Rhino, which it classifies as a utility terrain vehicle, or UTV.&nbsp; Another class of off-roaders, all terrain vehicles (ATVs),&nbsp; are subject to safety standards.<br /><br />While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino&nbsp; is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap - rollover accidents.&nbsp; They charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. <br /><br />Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents have reported broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal. Just last month, two little girls were killed in such a Yamaha Rhino accident. &nbsp;<br /><br />Critics of Yamaha charge the company has been slow to acknowledge the Rhino's rollover problems since the vehicles were first introduced in 2003. In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of the Rhino warning that the Rhino was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. However, the wording of the Yamaha letter seemed to place much of the blame for Rhino rollover accident injuries on the victims themselves. Yamaha warned passengers of the Rhino to use seatbelts, and to keep their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to tip over. But since Yamaha sent the 2006 letter, it has become increasingly apparent that the actions recommended by Yamaha do little to protect passengers involved in Rhino rollover accidents.<br /><br />It wasn&rsquo;t until 2007 that Yamaha appeared to finally take the Rhino&rsquo;s safety issues seriously. At that time, the company offered free modifications to the owners of new and used Rhinos. These modifications included the addition of doors, as well as additional handholds. <br /><br />The CPSC decision to investigate the Yamaha Rhino was based on reports of accidents and deaths involving the vehicle, as wells as the high number of product liability suits - 200 - filed by people who claim they were injured by the Rhino.&nbsp; Vehicles like the Rhino aren't classified as ATV because of design differences such as having a steering wheel, in contrast to the ATVs' handlebars. But neither are off-road vehicles subject to the much-tougher standards for cars.<br /><br />Yamaha continues to stand-by the Rhino, and&nbsp; says it voluntarily complies with some federal standards for vehicle parts, such as seat belts.&nbsp; It also appears that Yamaha and other makers of UTVs are trying to head-off mandatory safety standards by proposing their own voluntary rules.&nbsp; Last year, Yamaha and other makers of the vehicles formed the Recreational Off Highway Vehicle Association, which will set those standards.<br /><br />But critics of the Yamaha Rhino are still pushing for mandatory standards.&nbsp; Earlier this year, Congress passed such safety rules for ATVs, and they go into effect in April.&nbsp; Proponents of mandatory standards for UTVs say such similar rules would allow the CPSC to act quickly if it spots an apparent safety problem, because a failure to meet the standard can lead to a recall or civil penalty.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ATV Accidents Continue to Rise</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15418</link>		
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15418</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Consumer groups are saying that the hazards from all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) continue to increase and that, for the eighth year in a row, serious injuries caused by ATVs are on the rise. Children under age 16 continuing to suffer most of those injuries, according to a report released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).&nbsp; Worse, estimated deaths on ATVs also increased.&quot;Every year, more and more families are devastated by...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Consumer groups are saying that the hazards from <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)</a> continue to increase and that, for the eighth year in a row, serious injuries caused by ATVs are on the rise. Children under age 16 continuing to suffer most of those injuries, according to a report released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).&nbsp; Worse, estimated deaths on ATVs also increased.<br /><br />&quot;Every year, more and more families are devastated by deaths and injuries caused by ATVs. This tragic problem continues to be in dire need of an aggressive and immediate solution,&quot; stated Rachel Weintraub, Director of Product Safety for Consumer Federation of America. &quot;Congress, CPSC, state legislatures, the ATV industry, and the consumer and health care community still have miles to go before we adequately reduce the hazards caused by ATVs.&quot;&nbsp; American Academy of Pediatrics President David T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FAAP pointed out that, &quot;This new report shows more of the same&mdash;continued high death and injury rates among children on all-terrain vehicles.&nbsp; ATVs continue to kill and seriously injure children at alarming rates.&nbsp; The CPSC's meager efforts to stem the tide have been entirely ineffective, and industry has done nothing to make these dangerous vehicles safer.&quot;<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">CPSC</a>'s 2007 Annual Report on ATV-related Deaths and Injuries state that serious injuries requiring emergency room care increased from 146,000 in 2006 to 150,900 in 2007.&nbsp; Since 2001, the increase is statistically significant at 37 percent.&nbsp; The estimated number of ATV-related fatalities was 948 in 2005 and 882 in 2006.&nbsp; The most recent findings for 2007 indicate that there have been 542 reports; however, this figure is expected to rise as more data are compiled.&nbsp; West Virginia, Florida, and Kentucky saw the highest numbers of reported deaths identified in 2005-2007 with 143, 123, and 114, respectively.&nbsp; Also, no less than 107 children under 16 were killed on ATVs in 2007, accounting for 20 percent of all such fatalities and in 2007 in the same age group, there were 40,000 cases of serious injuries--27 percent--representing an increase from 2006 estimates.&nbsp; Since 2001, there has been a statistically significant 17 percent increase in children under 16 who have been seriously injured on ATVs.<br /><br />In August 2006, CPSC denied a petition filed over six years ago by consumer and health groups that demanded action on ATVs.&nbsp; Instead, the CPSC pursued a rulemaking for ATV standards; however, there is no timeline and progress is stalled.&nbsp; As part of the rulemaking, there is discussion of the development of a &quot;transitional ATV&quot; for children age 14 and older.&nbsp; The transitional vehicle is of particular concern to consumer and public health advocates as these ATVs are expected to contain engines even larger than those currently recommended for children under 16.&nbsp; The CPSC, the ATV industry, the Consumer Federation of America, and many other consumer advocates recommend that children ages 12 through 15 not ride ATVs with engines larger than 90 ccs.<br /><br />On August 14, 2008, the President signed into the law the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that included a provision focused on ATVs that primarily protected the economic interests of the largest ATV manufacturers.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ATV Size Guidelines Put Kids at Risk</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15187</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/15187</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All terrain vehicle (ATV) size guidelines do not assure a proper fit, preliminary results from a new study suggest.&nbsp; These inadequate guidelines, researchers involved in the study say, put children who ride ATVs at a significant risk of injury.Even though they are used for recreation, ATVs are not toys.&nbsp; Such vehicles are three or four wheeled and are used for &ldquo;off-roading&rdquo; or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">All terrain vehicle</a> (ATV) size guidelines do not assure a proper fit, preliminary results from a new study suggest.&nbsp; These inadequate guidelines, researchers involved in the study say, put children who ride ATVs at a significant risk of injury.<br /><br />Even though they are used for recreation, ATVs are not toys.&nbsp; Such vehicles are three or four wheeled and are used for &ldquo;off-roading&rdquo; or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 MPH and can weigh as heavy as a quarter of a ton. Some 75 percent&nbsp; of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />Earlier this year, a research group at the University of Kentucky made up of&nbsp; engineers, surgeons, and trauma prevention experts launched a comprehensive multi-year study to measure various physical and behavioral aspects of ATV safety, particularly involving children. Now, those researchers have released results from initial experiments involving ATV size guidelines.&nbsp; The results from those experiments indicated that although the current guidelines are important because they do limit engine size,&nbsp; they fall far short of actually determining the correct frame size for young riders. Body size and mechanics directly affect the rider-vehicle fit but are not considered in the current guidelines, the researchers said.<br /><br />The researchers have found that current ATV size guidelines do not account for variability in body size and shape among children of the same age group or even of the same age. For example: larger children under age 16 may fit the adult-size vehicle frame better, even though the recommendation would be for a &quot;youth&quot; sized frame or engine.&nbsp; This can lead to the inability to adequately steer, brake, or accommodate varying terrain.<br /><br />The study found also that seven of the eight children age 6-11 tested did not meet recommended existing guidelines for proper fit when mounted on the adult-size ATV.&nbsp; The researchers stressed that regardless of experience or supervision, a child in that age group should never be allowed&nbsp; on an adult-size ATV.<br /><br />ATVs can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">Consumer Product Safety Commission</a> (CPSC), ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1&nbsp; in 5 was a child. In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving these vehicles sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year.&nbsp; In its annual report released in February, the CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs. <br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Kawasaki, KYMKO Recall ATVs</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14663</link>		
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14663</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kawasaki Motor Corp. and KYMKO USA have each recalled defective ATVs (all terrain vehicles) because of throttle issues.&nbsp; Consumers who have one of the defective ATVs should stop using them until appropriate repairs can be made. Kawasaki is recalling about 6,000 2008 Model Year KFX 50 and KFX 90 Youth ATVs.&nbsp; The affected models are green or white with black trim. The model name is located on either side below the handlebars. The...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Kawasaki Motor Corp. and KYMKO USA have each recalled <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">defective ATVs</a> (all terrain vehicles) because of throttle issues.&nbsp; Consumers who have one of the defective ATVs should stop using them until appropriate repairs can be made. <br /><br />Kawasaki is recalling about 6,000 2008 Model Year KFX 50 and KFX 90 Youth ATVs.&nbsp; The affected models are green or white with black trim. The model name is located on either side below the handlebars. The recalled ATVs were sold at&nbsp; Kawasaki dealerships nationwide from August 2007 through June 2008 for about $1,750 (KFX 50) and $2,200 (KFX 90).<br /><br />According to the recall notice, the throttles on the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08589.html">Kawasaki ATVs</a> can fail to return to the idle position when released or could fail to be at idle on start-up. This could result in loss of vehicle control, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the rider<br /><br />Kawasaki has sent registered owners direct mail notification of this recall.&nbsp; For additional information, consumers may contact Kawasaki toll-free at (866) 802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.kawasaki.com.<a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08590.html"><br /><br />KYMKO</a> is recalling 1700 2008 Model Year Mongoose Youth ATVs because the carburetor can cause the throttle to stick open, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the rider.&nbsp; The recalled ATVs were sold by KYMCO dealers nationwide from August 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,700 and $2,100.<br /><br />Registered owners were also sent direct mail notification of this recall. For additional information, consumers can contact KYMCO USA toll-free at (888) 235-3417 anytime, or visit the firm&rsquo;s Web site at www.kymcousa.com<br /><br />ATV recalls are not unusual. Earlier this week, Arctic Cat recalled 6,000 ATVs for a speed control problem.&nbsp; In March, Yamaha Motor Corp.&nbsp; recalled some of its popular <a href="http://www.the-feed-store.com/thebuzzrss.asp?feedid=532">Rhino</a> models for a brake defect, and in May, Honda recalled 1400 Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs for a brake defect.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Defectiv Arctic Cat ATVs Recalled</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14647</link>		
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14647</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Arctic Cat has recalled Youth Model ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) because of a defective speed controller.&nbsp; The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) says consumers should stop using the defective ATVs immediately until they have been repaired.ATVs can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Arctic Cat has recalled Youth Model ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) because of a defective speed controller.&nbsp; The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) says consumers should stop using the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">defective ATVs</a> immediately until they have been repaired.<br /><br />ATVs can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child. In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving these vehicles sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life. In its annual report released in February, the CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs. <br /><br />This <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08588.html">ATV recall</a> involves about 6,000 Model Year 2008 Arctic Cat 50cc and 90cc ATVs manufactured by Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn.&nbsp; According to the CPSC, the speed controller on the recalled ATVs could fail to return to the idle position when the throttle lever is released, or the speed controller could fail to be at idle on start up. This could result in loss of vehicle control, which could result in serious injury or death to the rider.&nbsp; The defective ATVs were sold at Arctic Cat dealerships nationwide from July 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,800 and $2,400<br /><br />The ATVs involved in the recall include:<br /><br /><ul><li>2008 DVX 50 Black/Red, Model #A2008KSA2BUSD</li><li>2008 DVX 50 Black/Lime, Model #A2008KSA2BUSE</li><li>2008 DVX 50 Pink, Model #A2008KSA2BUST</li><li>2008 DVX 90-California-Black/Red, Model #A2008KSB2BCAD</li><li>2008 DVX 90-California-Black/Lime, Model #A2008KSB2BCAE</li><li>2008 DVX 90-California-Pink, Model #A2008KSB2BCAT</li><li>2008 DVX 90 Black/Red, Model #A2008KSB2BUSD</li><li>2008 DVX 90 Black/Lime, Model #A2008KSB2BUSE</li><li>2008 DVX 90 Pink, Model #A2008KSB2BUST</li><li>2008 50 2X4 Auto Green, Model #A2008KUA2BUSG</li><li>2008 50 2X4 Auto Red, Model #A2008KUA2BUSR</li><li>2008 50 2X4 Auto Pink, Model #A2008KUA2BUST</li><li>2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Green, Model #A2008KUB2BCAG</li><li>2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Red, Model #A2008KUB2BCAR</li><li>2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Pink, Model #A2008KUB2BCAT</li><li>2008 90 2X4 Auto Green, Model #A2008KUB2BUSG</li><li>2008 90 2X4 Auto Red, Model #A2008KUB2BUSR</li><li>2008 90 2X4 Auto Pink,&nbsp; Model #A2008KUB2BUST</li></ul><br />Owners of the affected Arctic Cat ATVs should contact their local dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail.&nbsp; More information on the Arctic Cat ATV recall may be obtained by calling the manufacturer at&nbsp; (800) 279-6851 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday or by visiting the firm's Web site at www.arctic-cat.com<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ATV Study at University of Kentucky Seeks to Reduce Accidents</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14636</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14636</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ATV (all terrain vehicles) accidents killed at least 500 people in 2006, and sent another 146,600 to hospital emergency room.&nbsp; As the vehicles grow&nbsp; in popularity, the number of ATV deaths and injuries is expected&nbsp; to rise as well. &nbsp;That prospect has officials in Kentucky concerned, as the state already led the nation in ATV deaths in 2007.&nbsp; Over the Memorial Day weekend, the state recorded four more ATV deaths.&nbsp;...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[ATV (all terrain vehicles) accidents killed at least 500 people in 2006, and sent another 146,600 to hospital emergency room.&nbsp; As the vehicles grow&nbsp; in popularity, the number of <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">ATV deaths and injuries</a> is expected&nbsp; to rise as well. &nbsp;<br /><br />That prospect has officials in Kentucky concerned, as the state already led the nation in ATV deaths in 2007.&nbsp; Over the Memorial Day weekend, the state recorded four more ATV deaths.&nbsp; That caught the attention of a doctor at the University of Kentucky hospital, who has launched a research study aimed at finding the reasons behind ATV accidents. <br /><br />Even though they are used for recreation, ATVs are not toys.&nbsp; Such vehicles are three or four wheeled and are used for &ldquo;off-roading&rdquo; or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 MPH and can weigh as heavy as a quarter of a ton. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />Dr. Andrew Bernard, a surgeon at the University of Kentucky hospital, hopes the new study will reduce ATV accidents - especially among children and teens.&nbsp; &quot;I see people get injured all the time, and I think, 'How can we prevent this?&quot;' Dr. Bernard told the &quot;Ledger Independent&quot;.<br /><br />Right now, researchers involved in this project are working with young riders to determine the cause of severe injuries and death.&nbsp; One of the early tests in the study tried to simulate what young riders feel while driving on an incline.&nbsp; Other tests include a computer modeling study and a questionnaire for the riders, including whether they feel safe on the vehicle.<br /><br />One of the biggest problems researchers say they have discovered so far is that ATVs are often too big - or too small - to safely carry the child riding them.&nbsp; Current recommendations for determining the right vehicle size are based on age categories. Researchers, however, say the categories -- ages 6 to 11, 12 to 15, and 16 and up -- are too broad.&nbsp; Dr. Bernard says that findings of the study so far indicate that size, height and body weight requirements might go a long way to helping ATV enthusiasts find the safest vehicle.<br /><br />Despite their obvious dangers, ATVs are still extremely popular.&nbsp; There are some steps riders can take to make their ATV experience safer.&nbsp; The most important is to wear a helmet, which can do a lot to prevent head injuries.&nbsp; Children under 3 should never&nbsp; be allowed on an ATV, and no child of any age should operate one.&nbsp; Safety experts also say riders would do best to use their ATVs on trails specifically designed for the vehicles. <br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ATV Accidents Expected to Take a Toll This Summer</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14565</link>		
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14565</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Summer is primetime for ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) accidents, and there is no reason to think that Summer 2008 will be any different.&nbsp; According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), ATV accidents are a growing problem.A CPSC report released earlier this year said that ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving ATVs sent 146,600...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Summer is primetime for ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) accidents, and there is no reason to think that Summer 2008 will be any different.&nbsp; According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/accidents">ATV accidents</a> are a growing problem.<br /><br />A <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">CPSC</a> report released earlier this year said that ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving ATVs sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year. The CPSC report said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs. <br /><br />Even though they are used for recreation, ATVs are not toys.&nbsp; Such vehicles are three or four wheeled and are used for &ldquo;off-roading&rdquo; or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 MPH and can weigh as heavy as a quarter of a ton. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />There are two ways that ATV accidents can result in injury.&nbsp;&nbsp; One is from a fall from the vehicle. The second opportunity for injury occurs when an ATV rolls over, and lands on riders and passengers.&nbsp; ATVs have a high center of gravity and can roll over easily.&nbsp; When the ATV lands on a victim, it can cause crushing injuries and even death. &nbsp;<br /><br />Some critics of ATVs contend that some of these vehicles are designed in such a way that makes rollover accidents far more likely. The <a href="http://www.the-feed-store.com/thebuzzrss.asp?feedid=532">Yamaha Rhino ATV</a>, which has been involved in hundreds of serious accidents, falls into this category.&nbsp; The Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.<br /><br />In 2007, Yamaha offered free modifications to the owners of new and used Rhinos. These modifications included the addition of doors to the ATV, as well as additional handholds. However, the company still has not recalled or offered refunds to the owners of the dangerous Rhino ATVs. It is not yet known if the modifications to the Yamaha Rhino ATVs will in fact make the vehicles safer.<br /><br />Despite their obvious dangers, ATVs are still extremely popular.&nbsp; There are some steps riders can take to make their ATV experience safer.&nbsp; The most important is to wear a helmet, which can do a lot to prevent head injuries.&nbsp; Children under 3 should never&nbsp; be allowed on an ATV, and no child of any age should operate one.&nbsp; Safety experts also say riders would do best to use their ATVs on trails specifically designed for the vehicles.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Polaris Expands ATV Recall</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14515</link>		
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14515</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Polaris is expanding an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) recall for a fourth time because a defective part may overheat and cause a fire.&nbsp; According to the Consumer Products Safety&nbsp; Commission (CPSC), Polaris has received six more reports of the part - called an Electronic Control Modules (ECM) - malfunctioning.&nbsp; Two of those malfunctions resulted in fires.The original Polaris ATV recall was announced in May 2005.&nbsp; At that time,...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Polaris is expanding an <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">ATV (All Terrain Vehicle)</a> recall for a fourth time because a defective part may overheat and cause a fire.&nbsp; According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08580.html">Consumer Products Safety&nbsp; Commission</a> (CPSC), Polaris has received six more reports of the part - called an Electronic Control Modules (ECM) - malfunctioning.&nbsp; Two of those malfunctions resulted in fires.</p><p>The original Polaris ATV recall was announced in May 2005.&nbsp; At that time, Polaris recalled more than 14,000 ATVs with defective ECMs.&nbsp; The recall involved Polaris 2004.5 &lsquo;Sportsman 500,' 2005 &lsquo;Sportsman 400,' &lsquo;Sportsman 500,' &lsquo;Sportsman 600,' &lsquo;Sportsman 700,' and 2005 &lsquo;Scrambler 500' ATVs.&nbsp; The recall was prompted by 26 reports of the ECM overheating.<br /><br />The original recall was quickly expanded the following month, after Polaris received 26 more reports of the ECM overheating.&nbsp; This time, about 45,000 ATVs were recalled, including the company's Trail Boss and Magnum 330 models.<br /><br />Then, this past February, the Polaris recall was expanded to include another 50,000 more vehicles.&nbsp; By this time, Polaris had received 372 additional reports of smoking and/or melted ECMs on the recalled ATVs, and 20 reports of fires, nine of which involved property damage beyond the ATV. <br /><br />Today's recall action involves about 700 more Scrambler and Sportsman ATVs.&nbsp; The ATVs were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from July 2004 through January 2008 for between $3,800 and $7,900.&nbsp; Since February, Polaris has received four more reports of ECMs melting and two reports of smoke or fire contained to the ECM.<br /><br />According to the CPSC, consumers should disconnect the negative (black) battery cable from the battery when the ATV is not in use. Consumers should contact their local Polaris dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners received direct mail notification of this recall.&nbsp; More information on the Polaris ATV recall is available by calling the company at (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or by visiting the firm&rsquo;s Web site at www.polarisindustries.com.</p><p>Unfortunately, ATV recalls are not unusual. &nbsp;&nbsp; March, Yamaha Motor Corp. recalled some of its popular <a href="http://www.the-feed-store.com/thebuzzrss.asp?feedid=532">Rhino</a> models for a brake defect, and in May, Honda recalled 1400 Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs for a brake defect. &nbsp; </p><p>ATVs can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving these vehicles sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year.&nbsp;&nbsp; Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life. In its annual report released in February, the CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs. <br /><br /></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Honda Recalls ATV for Steering Defect</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14366</link>		
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14366</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Honda ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) have been recalled because of a defect that could cause them to lose steering control.&nbsp; The steering defect, which affects about 1,400 Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs, has not resulted in any reported injuries.ATVs can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Honda ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) have been recalled because of a defect that could cause them to lose steering control.&nbsp; The steering defect, which affects about 1,400 Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs, has not resulted in any reported injuries.<br /><a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover"><br />ATVs</a> can be very dangerous vehicles, even in the best of circumstances. According to data collected by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving these vehicles sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year.&nbsp;&nbsp; .&nbsp; Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life. In its annual report released in February, the CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs. <br /><br />ATV recalls are also not unusual.&nbsp; In March, Yamaha Motor Corp. recalled some of its popular Rhino models for a brake defect, and in February, Polaris doubled a previous recall of its Sportsman and Scrambler ATVs because of a fire hazard.&nbsp; According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08570.html">CPSC</a>, this latest recall involves Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs equipped with electric power steering, also known as the Honda FourTrax Foreman 4X4 with electric power steering. The adult-size ATVs are designed for use by riders age 16 and older. The ATVs are available in red, black, olive, white, and camouflage. &ldquo;Honda&rdquo; and wing logo are printed on the fuel tank and &ldquo;TRX500&rdquo; is printed on the side panel just below the seat.&nbsp; The recalled Honda ATVs were sold at Honda ATV dealers nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 for between $6,850 and $7,400.<br /><br />The CPSC says the electric power steering shaft of the recalled ATVs could break unexpectedly, resulting in the rider&rsquo;s losing steering control. This poses a risk of injury or death to riders. Consumers should stop using these recalled ATVs immediately and contact any Honda ATV dealer to make an appointment for a free repair. Honda has sent direct notices of the ATV recall to registered owners.&nbsp; For additional information, consumers can contact Honda toll-free at (866) 784-1870 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company&rsquo;s website at www.powersports.honda.com<br /><br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Yamaha Rhino ATV Recalled for Brake Defect</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14094</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/14094</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yamaha is recalling the Rhino ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) amid concerns that brakes on the Rhino ATV may fail.&nbsp; The recall, which covers about 7800 Rhino Side-by-Side ATVs, is just the latest safety issue to plague the Yamaha Rhino ATV, which some consider to be the most dangerous ATV on the market.According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the brake caliper on the left front wheel of the recalled Yamaha Rhino ATVs could have...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Yamaha is recalling the Rhino ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) amid concerns that brakes on the Rhino ATV may fail.&nbsp; The recall, which covers about 7800 Rhino Side-by-Side ATVs, is just the latest safety issue to plague the <a href="http://yamaha-rhino-atv-rollover.com/?gclid=CKWb-_71qJICFQKwPAodtRufRw">Yamaha Rhino ATV</a>, which some consider to be the most dangerous ATV on the market.<br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08552.html">Consumer Product Safety Commission</a> (CPSC), the brake caliper on the left front wheel of the recalled Yamaha Rhino ATVs could have been made incorrectly, resulting in brake fluid leaking. This can cause a loss of braking and control of the vehicle, posing a serious safety risk to the driver and passenger.&nbsp; The recall covers Model Year 2008 Rhino YXR450 and YXR700 Side-by-Side Vehicles sold at Yamaha dealers nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 for between $8,300 and $12,000.&nbsp; Consumers with a recalled Rhino ATV should stop using them immediately and contact any authorized Yamaha Rhino dealer to schedule a free repair. The CPSC said registered owners were sent direct mail notification of this recall. &nbsp;<br /><br />So far, no injuries have been reported in relation to the Rhino brake defect.&nbsp; However, that has not been the case with another Rhino safety issue - rollover accidents.&nbsp; While many ATVs are prone to accidents, the Yamaha Rhino ATV is even more likely to be involved in rollover accidents. What&rsquo;s more, these accidents are also more likely to result in serious injuries and deaths. Critics say the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.<br /><br />Unlike the brake issue that sparked today's recall, Yamaha has been slow to acknowledge the Rhino ATVs rollover issues. In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of Rhino ATVs warning that the Rhino was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. However, the wording of the Yamaha letter seemed to place much of the blame for Rhino rollover accident injuries on the victims themselves. Yamaha warned passengers of the Rhino ATVs to use seatbelts, and to keep their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to tip over. But since Yamaha sent the 2006 letter, it has become increasingly apparent that the actions recommended by Yamaha do little to protect passengers involved in Rhino rollover accidents.<br /><br />It wasn&rsquo;t until 2007 that Yamaha appeared to finally take the Rhino&rsquo;s safety issues seriously. At that time, the company offered free modifications to the owners of new and used Rhinos. These modifications included the addition of doors to the ATV, as well as additional handholds. However, the company still has not recalled or offered refunds to the owners of the dangerous Rhino ATVs. It is not yet known if the modifications to the Yamaha Rhino ATVs will in fact make the vehicles safer. <br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Polaris Issues Outlaw IRS ATV Recall</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13985</link>		
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13985</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[More Polaris ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) have been recalled today, following reports that the vehicles are prone to going out-of-control, posing an injury hazard to riders.&nbsp; The latest Polaris ATV recall involves more than 11,000 Outlaw &quot;IRS&quot; ATVs.&nbsp; This is the second Polaris ATV recall issued since mid-February.According to the CPSC, the latest Polaris recall involves Outlaw &quot;IRS&quot; ATVs, model years 2006 through...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[More Polaris ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) have been recalled today, following reports that the vehicles are prone to going out-of-control, posing an injury hazard to riders.&nbsp; The latest Polaris ATV recall involves more than 11,000 Outlaw &quot;IRS&quot; ATVs.&nbsp; This is the second Polaris ATV recall issued since mid-February.<br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08547.html">CPSC</a>, the latest Polaris recall involves Outlaw &quot;IRS&quot; ATVs, model years 2006 through 2008. The model numbers infected are: 2006 Outlaw 500 &ldquo;IRS&rdquo;, 2007 Outlaw 500 &ldquo;IRS&rdquo;, 2007 Outlaw 525 &ldquo;IRS&rdquo;, and 2008 Outlaw 525 &ldquo;IRS&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp; The model name is printed on decals located on either side of the fuel tank. The recalled ATVs&nbsp; were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from January 2006 through January 2008 for between $6,900 and $7,400.<br /><br />Polaris said that the recalled Outlaw ATVs have a retention bolt can come loose causing the rear wheels to lock up, which poses a risk of serious injury to the rider.&nbsp; The firm has received 11 reports of loss of control, including one rider who suffered a strained leg muscle.&nbsp; Consumers should stop using the recalled ATVs immediately, and contact any Polaris ATV dealer to schedule a free repair. Polaris has notified registered consumers directly about this recall. Consumers can contact Polaris for further information by calling (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or by visiting the company's Web site at www.polarisindustries.com.<br /><br />This is the second ATV recall issued by Polaris in less than a month.&nbsp; On February 15, Polaris announced a recall of 50,00 ATVs with defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) which could fail and overheat, causing a fire hazard.&nbsp; The February action was an expansion of a previous Polaris recall from 2005.&nbsp; The February announcement brought the total number of Polaris ATVs recalled for defective ECMs to almost 100,000.<br /><br />According to the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving such popular vehicles as the&nbsp; Polaris ATV and the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino ATV</a> sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />Most of the deaths and injuries to children are the result of youngsters riding adult-size ATVs, and consumer groups say the agency needs to do more to keep kids off ATVs that are too big and too powerful for them.&nbsp; Consumer advocates have called on the CPSC to ban the sale of adult-size ATVs for use for children. The agency has declined to do that. There is only a voluntary agreement in place with major ATV distributors in which they require dealers not to sell adult-size ATVs to people who might allow children to ride them. Consumer groups say few dealers abide by the rule.<br /><u><br /></u>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Polaris ATV Recall Doubled Following 372 More Fire Reports</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13883</link>		
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13883</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Polaris All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) recall has been expanded to include nearly 50,000 more defective Polaris ATVs.&nbsp; The Polaris ATV recall expansion doubles the number of defective vehicles recalled since 2005, and now includes near 100,000 ATVs.&nbsp; The original Polaris ATV recall included about 61,000 vehicles with defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) which could fail and overheat, causing a fire hazard. &nbsp;Notice of the...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Polaris All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) recall has been expanded to include nearly 50,000 more defective Polaris ATVs.&nbsp; The Polaris ATV recall expansion doubles the number of defective vehicles recalled since 2005, and now includes near 100,000 ATVs.&nbsp; The original Polaris ATV recall included about 61,000 vehicles with defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) which could fail and overheat, causing a fire hazard. &nbsp;<br /><br />Notice of the Polaris ATV recall came the same day that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released data on ATV accidents.&nbsp; According to the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving such popular vehicles as the&nbsp; Polaris ATV and the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino ATV</a> sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />Most of the deaths and injuries to children are the result of youngsters riding adult-size ATVs, and consumer groups say the agency needs to do more to keep kids off ATVs that are too big and too powerful for them.&nbsp; Consumer advocates have called on the CPSC to ban the sale of adult-size ATVs for use for children. The agency has declined to do that. There is only a voluntary agreement in place with major ATV distributors in which they require dealers not to sell adult-size ATVs to people who might allow children to ride them. Consumer groups say few dealers abide by the rule. <br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08193.html">CPSC,</a> since the original Polaris ATV recall announced in June 2005, Polaris has received 372 additional reports of smoking and/or melted ECMs on the recalled ATVs, and 20 reports of fires, nine of which involved property damage beyond the ATV. No injuries have been reported.<br /><br />This Polaris ATV recall involves select 2005 through 2006 model Polaris Sportsman and Scrambler 500 ATVs. The model and serial numbers are printed on a decal attached to the front side of the radiator (Sportsman) or the top of the front cab cover (Scrambler 500). Serial numbers are permanently stamped into the left frame rail behind the left front wheel. Polaris dealers nationwide sold the ATVs from mid-2004 through last month for between $3,800 and $7,900.<br /><br />The CPSC has advised consumers to disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery when the ATV is not in use and then contact a Polaris dealer for a free repair.&nbsp; Consumers should not use the Polaris ATV until the repair has been made.&nbsp; Consumers can obtain information regarding the Polaris ATV recall by calling Polaris at 1-888-704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Standard Time Monday through Friday, or visit www.polarisindustries.com.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ATV Accidents Continue to Take Tragic Toll</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13876</link>		
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13876</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving such popular vehicles as the Yamaha Rhino ATV sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year.&nbsp; These statistics, from data on ATV accidents collected by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), point to the continuing dangers posed by these defective...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) killed more than 500 people in 2006 and of those victims nearly 1 on in 5 was a child.&nbsp; In addition to ATV deaths, accidents involving such popular vehicles as the <a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino ATV</a> sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms that same year.&nbsp; These statistics, from data on ATV accidents collected by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), point to the continuing dangers posed by these defective vehicles.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">CPSC&rsquo;s</a> ATV data are not surprising.&nbsp; ATVs are infamous for causing serious accidents - especially rollover accidents. Such vehicles are three or four wheeled and are used for &ldquo;off-roading&rdquo; or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 MPH and can weigh as heavy as a quarter of a ton. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />One of the most dangerous ATVs on the market is the Yamaha Rhino ATV.&nbsp; Critics say the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.<br /><br />In 2007, Yamaha offered free modifications to the owners of new and used Rhinos. These modifications included the addition of doors to the ATV, as well as additional handholds. However, the company still has not recalled or offered refunds to the owners of the dangerous Rhino ATVs. It is not yet known if the modifications to the Yamaha Rhino ATVs will in fact make the vehicles safer.<br /><br />In its annual report being released Thursday, the CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs.&nbsp; And the CPSC expects the ATV accident problem to only get worse.&nbsp; The agency is still gathering data as far back as 2003. The report updates CPSC data with numbers from 2006, the latest year that agency staff have analyzed. In 2005, there were 666 confirmed deaths related to ATVs, and CPSC estimates that the toll for that year could reach 870.<br /><br />Most of the deaths and injuries to children are the result of youngsters riding adult-size ATVs, and consumer groups say the agency needs to do more to keep kids off ATVs that are too big and too powerful for them.&nbsp; Consumer advocates have called on the CPSC to ban the sale of adult-size ATVs for use for children. The agency has declined to do that. There is only a voluntary agreement in place with major ATV distributors in which they require dealers not to sell adult-size ATVs to people who might allow children to ride them. Consumer groups say few dealers abide by the rule.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Yamaha Rhino ATV Rollover Accidents Injure Hundreds, Yet No Recall Issued</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13861</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/13861</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yamaha Rhino All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rollover accidents have injured &ndash; and in some cases killed &ndash; hundreds of people.&nbsp; Some consumer advocates claim that flaws inherent in the design of the vehicles are responsible for Yamaha Rhino ATV accidents, as well as the resulting injuries and deaths.&nbsp; In 2007, Yamaha finally responded to the Rhino ATV safety issues by offering free modifications to make the vehicles safer, but the...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover">Yamaha Rhino All Terrain Vehicle</a> (ATV) rollover accidents have injured &ndash; and in some cases killed &ndash; hundreds of people.&nbsp; Some consumer advocates claim that flaws inherent in the design of the vehicles are responsible for Yamaha Rhino ATV accidents, as well as the resulting injuries and deaths.&nbsp; In 2007, Yamaha finally responded to the Rhino ATV safety issues by offering free modifications to make the vehicles safer, but the company stopped short of issuing a Rhino ATV recall. <br /><br />ATVs are infamous for rollover accidents.&nbsp; Such vehicles are three or four wheeled and are used for &ldquo;off-roading&rdquo; or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 MPH and can weigh as heavy as a quarter of a ton. Some 75% of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life.<br /><br />While many ATVs are prone to accidents, the Yamaha Rhino ATV is even more likely to be involved in rollover accidents.&nbsp; What&rsquo;s more, these accidents are also more likely to result in serious injuries and deaths.&nbsp; Critics say the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow.&nbsp; These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface.&nbsp;&nbsp; Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet.&nbsp; In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident.&nbsp; When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.<br /><br />Yamaha has been slow to acknowledge the Rhino ATVs rollover problems since the vehicles were first introduced in 2003.&nbsp; In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of Rhino ATVs warning that the Rhino was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. However, the wording of the Yamaha letter seemed to place much of the blame for Rhino rollover accident injuries on the victims themselves. Yamaha warned passengers of the Rhino ATVs to use seatbelts, and to keep their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.&nbsp; The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to tip over.&nbsp; But since Yamaha sent the 2006 letter, it has become increasingly apparent that the actions recommended by Yamaha do little to protect passengers involved in Rhino rollover accidents. <br /><br />It wasn&rsquo;t until 2007 that Yamaha appeared to finally take the Rhino&rsquo;s safety issues seriously.&nbsp; At that time, the company offered free modifications to the owners of new and used Rhinos.&nbsp; These modifications included the addition of doors to the ATV, as well as additional handholds.&nbsp; However, the company still has not recalled or offered refunds to the owners of the dangerous Rhino ATVs.&nbsp; It is not yet known if the modifications to the Yamaha Rhino ATVs will in fact make the vehicles safer.<br /><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Rhino ATV Lawyer Injury Lawsuit Rollover Yamaha Attorney Accident</title>
		<link>http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover</link>		
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/yamaha_rhino_rollover</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yamaha Rhino ATV Rollover Injury Accidents - Call 800-LAW-INFO For a Free Consultation With a Rhino ATV Lawyer / Attorney.
Keywords: Rhino | ATV | Lawyer | Injury | Lawsuit | Rollover | Yamaha | Attorney | Accident
Yamaha Rhino Rollover accidents have injured &ndash; and even killed &ndash; many people since the Yamaha Rhino all terrain vehicles (ATVs) were first introduced in 2003.&nbsp; While all ATVs have been implicated in dangerous...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong>Yamaha Rhino ATV Rollover Injury Accidents - Call 800-LAW-INFO For a Free Consultation With a Rhino ATV Lawyer / Attorney.<br /></strong></h2>
<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keywords: Rhino | ATV | Lawyer | Injury | Lawsuit | Rollover | Yamaha | Attorney | Accident</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yamaha Rhino Rollover accidents have injured &ndash; and even killed &ndash; many people since the Yamaha Rhino all terrain vehicles (ATVs) were first introduced in 2003.<span>&nbsp; </span>While all ATVs have been implicated in dangerous rollover accidents, design defects inherent in the Yamaha Rhino 660 and Rhino 450 ATVs make rollover accidents far more likely during sharp turns, even when the Rhino is traveling on a flat surface at a low rate of speed.<span>&nbsp; </span>In August 2007, Yamaha Motor Corp.<span>&nbsp; </span>announced that it was offering to make modifications to the defective Rhino 660 and 450 ATVs in an effort to make the vehicles safer.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Our Skilled and Dedicated Lawyers and Attorneys <br />Have Years of Experience Handling Product Liability and Accident Injury Lawsuits Where Rollovers Such as Those of the Yamaha Rhino ATV Have Caused Significant Injury.<br /></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Rhino ATV Defects<o :p></o></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Yamaha Rhino ATV&nbsp;is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow.<span>&nbsp; </span>These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers&rsquo; legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident.<span>&nbsp; </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The design defects of the Yamaha Rhino ATV have been implicated in many serious &ndash; and sometimes fatal &ndash; injuries. Victims of<span>&nbsp; </span>Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet.<span>&nbsp; </span>In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident.<span>&nbsp; </span>When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In September 2006, Yamaha Motor Corp. sent a letter to the owners of Rhino ATVs warning that the Rhino was prone to tip while going through sharp turns. However, the wording of the Yamaha letter seemed to place much of the blame for Rhino rollover accident injuries on the victims themselves. Yamaha warned passengers of the Rhino ATVs to use seatbelts, and to keep their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.<span>&nbsp; </span>The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to tip over. <span>&nbsp;</span>But since Yamaha sent the 2006 letter, it has become increasingly apparent that the actions recommended by Yamaha do little to protect passengers involved in Rhino rollover accidents.<span>&nbsp; </span>Rather, it is the design defects inherent in the Rhino ATVs that make it likely that riders in the vehicles will sustain serious &ndash; and possibly fatal &ndash; injuries during a Rhino rollover accident.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Yamaha Rhino ATV Modifications</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, in 2007 Yamaha took steps to provide more protection to the owners and passengers of its defective Rhino ATVs.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Yamaha offered to modify all Rhino ATVs free of charge.<span>&nbsp; </span>These modifications included new doors and additional passenger handholds for the Rhino.<span>&nbsp; </span>These modifications were offered to all purchasers of Rhino vehicles, whether they bought their ATVs new or used. Yamaha also provided more warning labels for the Rhino ATVs and updated the Rhino owners manual to include information about the modifications and rollover risks. Unfortunately, these actions on the part of Yamaha were of no help to those already injured in Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Legal Help for Yamaha Rhino ATV Rollover Accident Victims<o :p></o></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury as a result of a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak with an experienced Yamaha Rhino rollover accident injury attorney.<o :p></o></span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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