Yamaha Rhino v. 2009 Honda Big Red

September 18th, 2008 Mike Evans

Popular Mechanics took Honda’s new Big Red side-by-side ATV for a test drive recently, and their article about the test drive contained some interesting comments about the Yamaha Rhino. Popular Mechanics believes Honda officials have been slow to enter the competitive side-by-side market because of legal issues that have plagued the competition. From reading the article, it appears that Honda’s caution has led them to design a vehicle that is far safer than the Rhino. We at the ATV Attorney Alliance have argued that the narrow wheelbase and high center-of-gravity of the Rhino make it prone to unexpected rollover accidents, causing horrific crush injuries to arms, legs and heads. We’ve also pointed out the lack of doors on early model Rhino side-by-sides makes it more likely that a person’s extremeties will be outside the vehicle during a rollover in a Rhino with no doors. Honda’s Big Red was apparently designed to avoid these problems. Popular Mechanics writes: “We conquered sloping grades, descended steep hills using all three drive modes, and articulated over uneven terrain—mostly at crawl speeds. Thanks to its 64-in. width (which is almost 10 in. wider than the Yamaha Rhino) and its low center of gravity, Big Red felt surprisingly stable during low-speed, off-camber maneuvers. Its ability to keep all four wheels on the ground exceeded our willingness to push its limits. Passengers don’t have a steering wheel to grab onto. So they can gain confidence from the three-point seatbelts and handholds.”

While the ultimate test of the Big Red’s safety can’t be determined until the vehicles are sold to consumers and used in the field, it appears that Honda went to great lengths to get the stability issue handled properly. Good for them. We at the ATV Attorney Alliance don’t believe ATVs should be taken off the market; we just believe they shouldn’t be sold with design defects that can cause life-ending or life-changing injuries during normal, foreseeable use of the product.

The ATV Attorney Alliance, with lawyers in most states, offers a free online case review service. If you were injured or lost a family member in an ATV accident involving a defective ATV (particularly a Yamaha Rhino rollover), please use our Free Case Review form to get a no-obligation review of your potential right to recover money from the manufacturer of the ATV. Or call attorney Phillip Jauregui at 800-509-5357 at no charge to discuss your potential lawsuit.

Posted in ATV accidents, ATV safety information, Honda, Rollover accidents, Yamaha Rhino ATV, Yamaha Rhino rollover | No Comments »

Yamaha Rhino rollover seriously injures two California teens

September 4th, 2008 Mike Evans

Livermore, California - Two California teenagers were seriously injured in a Yamaha Rhino rollover Saturday afternoon, according to the Amador Ledger-Dispatch. The 17-year-old driver and his 17-year-old passenger were looking for an afternoon of fun when they went for a ride on a 2007 Yamaha Rhino. When the driver attempted to make a sharp turn, the Yamaha Rhino ATV rolled over on its side. The driver sustained major injuries to his neck and face and was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center in Roseville, CA. His passenger sustained trauma to her neck and right arm, and was flown to Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, CA. Initial reports indicated that neither person was wearing a seat belt or helmet at the time of the accident.

The Yamaha Rhino ATV has a long history of causing serious injuries and deaths in rollover accidents. The Rhino has a narrow wheelbase and high center-of-gravity that makes it especially prone to rollover. In an online Rhino Guide Supplement, Yamaha has admitted that: “Doing things with a Rhino that some people do for thrills in other vehicles (such as sideways sliding, skidding, fishtailing, or donuts) have led to side rollovers. These rollovers can result in crushed limbs and other serious injuries or death to drivers or passengers.”

For more information about the dangers of the Yamaha Rhino, and its ability to crush limbs and cause deaths in rollover accidents, please visit our Yamaha Rhino rollover page.

Posted in ATV accidents, Rollover accidents, Yamaha Rhino ATV, Yamaha Rhino rollover | No Comments »