ATV Accidents - Injury Law Blog http://injurylaw.labovick.com/articles/personal-injury-1/ en-us Copyright 2011 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:02:43 -0500 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:21:21 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Yamaha Rhino ATV: Are they Safe? Basic Information on the Rhino ATV
After all of the accidents and injuries caused by use of the Yamaha Rhino ATV, one can't help but wonder if the product is safe. Studies have shown that poor design of the All Terrain Vehicle cause most rollovers. Such accidents have notoriously resulted in serious injury for both ATV drivers and passengers and in some tragic cases, have even led to the death of children. According to its critics, the Yamaha Rhino ATV has a high center of gravity due to its narrow bottom and top-heavy design, which makes the vehicle more prone to rollovers. The majority of the reported injuries affected the victims’ extremities, such as their legs, feet, arms and hands.

Rhino ATV Design Flaws and Insufficient Model Modifications
Until Yamaha released its newest Rhino ATV model in 2008, the vehicle lacked doors—an oversight that has triggered multiple accidents. Before this updated model of the Rhino was distributed, Yamaha only offered side doors as an accessory option. However, the inclusion of doors on an ATV is not only necessary, but it seems that even with the doors the Rhino may be unsafe. Some people have reported that the doors have unlatched in the case of rollovers—thereby endangering the passenger just the same.

In 2006, Yamaha acknowledged certain defects of the Rhino ATV, and released safety warnings as a result, such as seat belt and helmet recommendations. Then, in 2007, the company offered to install doors and passenger holds on all 2004-2007 models.

Despite the numerous reported rollovers, Yamaha has yet to acknowledge the flaws inherent within the Rhino ATV’s design and has only issued a recall for the vehicle’s brakes.

Click here to read: ATV Safety Tips

Click here to read: ATV Recalls

Click here to read: Florida Statutes for ATV Use

]]> http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2008/06/articles/atv-accidents-1/yamaha-rhino-atv-are-they-safe/ http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2008/06/articles/atv-accidents-1/yamaha-rhino-atv-are-they-safe/ ATV AccidentsATV RecallsATV Safety TipsATV rolloverFlorida Statutes for ATV UseProduct LiabilityProduct RecallsRollover AccidentsYamaha Rhino ATV Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:02:43 -0500 LaBovick Law Tougher Safety and Liability Laws Urged by Parents of ATV Personal Injury victims ATV (All terrain Vehicles) are coming under fire for tougher safety and product liability laws from parents of a personal injury victim that died in  ATV related crash.

Ashley Phelps' life was cut short last year when the all-terrain vehicle she was a passenger on struck some mailboxes and rolled over. The driver, Gregory Hebert, then allegedly drove away, leaving the injured 21-year-old behind. Head injuries sustained as a result of the ATV crash caused Ashley's death.

According to the most recent CPSC Annual Report of ATV deaths and injuries for 2006, that was released in February 2008, there have been over 8100 deaths related to ATV crashes or ATV fatalities.  The state of Pennsylvania leads the nation in ATV fatalities with 420 total deaths from 1982 - 2006. The State California  comes in second with 418 ATV fatalities from the same period. In the state of Florida, there were 349 deaths as of result of ATV accidents.

Click here to read more from the AP and the Insurance Journal and Click here to read more from the Consumer Product Safety Commission on ATV Accidents, death and injuries.

]]> http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2008/03/articles/personal-injury-1/tougher-safety-and-liability-laws-urged-by-parents-of-atv-personal-injury-victims/ http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2008/03/articles/personal-injury-1/tougher-safety-and-liability-laws-urged-by-parents-of-atv-personal-injury-victims/ ATVATV AccidentsATV crashATV rolloverAll terrain vehicleCaliforniaFlorida ATV statisticsPersonal InjuryProduct LiabilityStatistics" Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:13:06 -0500 LaBovick Law