The Yamaha Rhino is a side-by-side all terrain vehicle (ATV) that is available in both 450cc and 686cc (700) versions. With its distinctive two-person, side-by-side seating, the Rhino looks like a cross between a golf cart and a traditional ATV. Side-by-side seating is increasingly popular with hunters and outdoorsmen who are seeking an off-road vehicle that can navigate through wooded or rugged terrain. Due to the popularity of the side-by-side, other ATV manufacturers are coming out with their own versions of the Rhino—similar vehicles include the Honda Big Red, the Polaris Ranger RZR (Razor), the Arctic Cat Prowler, and Kawasaki’s recreational utility vehicle, the Teryx™, and utility vehicle, the Mule. However, the Rhino has been plagued by design problems which greatly impact the safety of this vehicle and have resulted in serious injuries and even fatalities to drivers and passengers.

 

 

In March of 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a comprehensive report on ATV accidents, deaths, and injuries. The CPSC estimates that in 2004, more than 6.9 million four-wheel ATVs were in use in the United States. In the decade between 1995 and 2004, more than 4400 deaths were caused by four-wheel ATV accidents, including rollovers. The CPSC estimates that in 2004, there was over one death per every 10,000 ATVs in use. In 2005, over 136,700 injuries that required hospitalization were caused by these ATVs with 30% of those injuries occurring to children under the age of 16. Also in 2005, the number of children under 12 who were killed in ATV accidents was 57—or 12% of all ATV related deaths in 2005.

 

It is estimated that since its introduction to the retail market in September of 2003, approximately 100,000 Rhinos have been sold.

 

 

The 2008 Rhino 700 FI Auto 4x4 has a width of only 54.4 inches and a height of over six feet. With the large height comes a high center of gravity. Vehicles with a high center of gravity are more likely to roll over than vehicles with a low center of gravity, particularly when a high center of gravity is combined with a relatively narrow wheel base. The Rhino has been marketed as a vehicle which will conveniently fit in the bed of a pick-up truck; unfortunately, this convenience is offset by the fact the Rhino has a narrow wheel base in order to fit in the bed of the truck.

 

The Rhino’s high center of gravity, fast acceleration, and narrow wheel track contributes to its propensity to rollover during certain low-speed turns. Furthermore, the Rhino was originally not equipped with any doors or leg guards. One ATV enthusiast publication complained about the Rhino’s lack of leg protection, pointing out that “[i]n a rollover, it would be human nature to try to stop the rollover by sticking your foot out.” Furthermore, when tipping during a turn, inertia will cause one’s outer limbs to fly out the vehicle if there is nothing to restrain the limb.

 

That same publication reviewed a new 2006 Yamaha Rhino 660 Auto 4x4 Special Edition and had a few suggested design modifications to make the Rhino safer. These modifications include:

Click on these links to see what ATV enthusiasts are recommending to enhance the safety of the rhino: http://www.duneguide.com/ProductReview_Yamaha_Rhino.htm

 

The Rhino is so well known within the ATV industry for its propensity to rollover that another ATV manufacturer, Polaris, has a marketing campaign which emphasizes the design differences between their ATVs and the Rhino. Polaris touts their ATVs as having a lower center of gravity than the Rhino. Polaris designed their ATVs with a lower center of gravity by placing the engine behind the seat rather than under it. Click this link to compare the Rhino to the Polaris Ranger RZR. http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Ranger/RangerRZR/Comparison/

 

 

 

Rhinos manufactured before 2008 had no driver or passenger leg protection. When one of these side-by-sides rolls or tips over, the occupant’s leg can come out of the vehicle and be crushed. With a dry weight of over 1000 pounds, the crush injury to the leg can be quite severe. Treatment for crush injuries is a long, difficult, painful process. In some cases the injuries are so severe the leg cannot be saved and must be amputated. If the leg can be saved, the injured person may have to endure the pain of multiple surgeries. The injured person may be left with a severely impaired and disfigured leg for the rest of his or her life. Hands and fingers can also be crushed if the passenger or driver instinctively grabs the roll bar during a rollover.

 

Rhino rollovers have also resulted in fatalities. Most of those killed have been children who were thrown from the vehicle during the rollover and were subsequently crushed under the weight of the vehicle. Children have been thrown from the Rhino in rollovers even when they were belted into the passenger seat of the Rhino.

Yamaha finally made some design changes to its 2008 models to prevent further injuries. The new models will feature doors on both driver and passenger sides which will assist in keeping an occupant’s legs in the vehicle. They will also feature handholds to grab in case of a rollover. However, Yamaha has failed to make any changes that will affect the Rhino’s stability or improve its handling.

In August of 2007, Yamaha initiated a “special offer” for Rhino owners, but did not initiate a recall of the Rhino. The offer includes installation of new passenger handholds and special doors on all 2004-2007 Rhinos, whether or not they were purchased new or used. Owners are also provided with warning stickers to be placed on their Rhino and a new manual. Owners should consult their Yamaha dealers for details. Some ATV enthusiasts have indicated that their Yamaha dealers were unable to install the doors because the demand for the doors exceeded the available supply. 

 

 

If you or a loved one are injured in an accident involving a Rhino or any other ATV, you must consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help procure medical assistance, advise you of your rights, and file a lawsuit to hold those who caused your injuries responsible for your damages. Since the applicable statute of limitations affects how much time you have to file a lawsuit, you cannot delay.  Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy offers complimentary initial consultations. To learn how the firm can obtain results for your specific case, please call 1-800-742-1019 or e-mail our firm.