Yamaha Rhino Rollover Texas Trial - Yamaha Not Found Liable

By Michele Wallace

Published on October 13, 2009

The first trial involving a Rhino ATV (all-terrain vehicle) found Yamaha, the makers of the Rhino, not guilty for the death of a 13-year-old Rhino operator. Rhino ATVs are associated with nearly 60 deaths across the country due to its tendency to easily roll over.

The verdict came just three weeks after a news release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), reminding Rhino operators to "Stay Safe this Summer" by observing basic operating tips. The news release also alerts Rhino ATV owners that Yamaha is addressing safety issues by providing free repairs to affected models (450, 660, and 700).

The repair includes the installation of a rear-wheel spacer and removal of an anti-sway bar to add vehicle stability and improve handling in order to reduce rollover accidents. Yamaha also installs half-doors along with hand grips to assist in keeping occupants' arms and legs inside the vehicle.

Despite Yamaha's efforts to remedy safety issues, skepticisms remain. The recent verdict releasing Yamaha from responsibility for the death of the 13 year old is disappointing to those that claim thousands of owners and operators remain uninformed and misinformed about the hazards of the Rhino. It is suspected that the jury may have been influenced by the operator's young age and lack of protective gear. However, Yamaha maintains that although the accident is "tragic," it is not the result of a defective design.

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