Crashworthiness Accidents and Lawsuits

What To Do If You Own A Yamaha Rhino ATV

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:59:52 -0400

The Yamaha Rhino ATV has developed quite a reputation over the past few years and it is certainly a reputation that Yamaha is not proud of. Yamaha Rhino crash reports seem to increase every day, resulting in serious injury or death. Though it has been prove that a defect in the design causes Yamaha Rhino rollover problems, the company still has not issued a recall.

If you own a Yamaha Rhino, do some research on the design flaws that are causing the Yamaha Rhino tip over problem. The high center of gravity, small wheels, and narrow frame are contributing factors in most of these accidents. The accident becomes even more severe because the vehicle may crush the occupants during the rollover.

There has been a half door kit issued for models built from 2004-2007 and newer models come with half doors as a standard. If you own one of the older model Rhinos, it is in your best interest to have these kits installed. Dealers who sell the Yamaha Rhino will install the kits, free of charge.

If you or a loved one have already been involved in an accident causing injury or death while operating a Yamaha Rhino ATV, consider consulting an attorney. A good ATV lawyer, such as those at Anapol Schwartz, can help you get the compensation you deserve.

ATVs and the Law

Wed, 21 May 2008 11:54:04 -0400

Having an all terrain vehicle is a lot of fun because you can travel over terrain that they are not able travel over with other types of vehicles. However, throughout the years, there have been certain laws developed to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, and others within the vicinity of an all terrain vehicle. These include:

Using ATVs only in places where they are allowed (not on roads or in other dangerous places)
Abiding by age requirements
Never using an ATV while under the influence of controlled substances
Following speed and other safety ATV laws

However, despite the safety laws, some ATVs are still not safe, as there can be manufacturing problems. One of the most well-known cases is the design issues in the Yamaha Rhino ATV, which is responsible for rollover accidents that have resulted in injury and even death.

As a result of such ATV accidents, law firms such as Monheit Law have been handling wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits surrounding ATVs. If you've followed all safety guidelines and have still been injured while riding an ATV, contact a lawyer today!

Common ATV Injuries

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:04:00 -0400

For some people, few things are more exciting than spending time riding their ATV. ATV enthusiasts can be found driving in all kinds of off-road settings, all over the country. While driving an all terrain vehicle can be lots of fun, care should always be taken, as accident or injury is possible. Here is a list of the most common injuries received as a result of an ATV crash or rollover.

· Head Injuries - Serious head injury can occur during an ATV accident, particularly when helmets are not in use.
· Spinal Injuries - When a rider is thrown or involved in a rollover, spinal injuries that can sometimes cause paralysis can occur.
· Broken Bones - The impact of an ATV crash can cause broken bones. Also, the ATV itself can crush limbs, should it tip over.
· Amputation - In some cases, limbs can be completely lost, as the result of an all terrain vehicle rollover.

If you have been the victim of an ATV accident that resulted in any one of these injuries, you may want to speak with an ATV attorney at Anapol Schwartz. Many times, these accidents are the fault of the manufacturer, such as in the case of many Yamaha Rhino rollover cases. If a manufacturer defect is the problem, you are entitled to compensation and benefits for your injuries.

What Is Center Of Gravity?

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:02:00 -0400

Most ATV operators have heard that the center of gravity is a huge factor in preventing an accident or rollover when driving an all terrain vehicle. Even still, many do not exactly understand what center of gravity is and what its effects are in accident prevention and driving safety.

A quick definition of center of gravity is the location on the object, in this case, an ATV, where the weight is distributed. If an ATV's design has a low center of gravity, the weight is closer to the ground and tip over is less likely. Should the center of gravity be higher on the vehicle, like in the case of the Yamaha Rhino ATV, the ATV will be top-heavy and roll or tip over easily.

Shifting body weight can have some effect to counterbalance the vehicle if the center of gravity is causing a rollover, but only in a few cases. The best defense against an accident is to be certain that the vehicle you are driving has a low center of gravity.

If you are the owner of or the driver of an ATV with a high center of gravity, such as the Yamaha Rhino, and have been involved in an accident, you should consult an attorney to seek compensation. Anapol Schwartz has handled many injury and wrongful death lawsuits for those who have been involved in an ATV accident where a defect in the center of gravity is a factor.

Seatbelt Failure

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:52:26 -0400

Seatbelt laws have been passed though out the United States requiring passengers and passengers to wear seat belts while in a motor vehicle. On the other side of the coin, it is the automobile manufacturers' responsibility to thoroughly test seatbelts to ensure safe operation. On occasion, defective seatbelts do not properly restrain the vehicle occupant in a car wreck, causing personal injury and in some cases a wrongful death. Thankfully, seatbelt failure due to malfunction is not common.

Protect yourself by always wearing seat belts properly and by being aware of potential design problems that can lead to failure.
Potential problems include:

Not wearing set belt properly. Always wear the diagonal sash belt from the center f the shoulder and across the chest. Ensure that children are not pulling the sash belt behind their backs.
Unlatching. This could also be called false latching in which it looks and sounds like the buckle has clicked into place but in fact the release mechanism is only partially engaged. Avoid this problem by tugging on the seatbelt a few times after it has been secured to make sure it is really in place.
Torn webbing. Check seatbelts periodically to make sure there are no tears or damage.
Retractor failure. If the locking mechanism to hold the belt webbing in place during an accident fails, there may be enough slack in the belt to allow an injury.

Seatbelt Safety and Passengers

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:21:29 -0400

It is not enough for you to always wear your seatbelt when driving. You must also make sure your passengers are wearing their seatbelts as well. If you do not insist that your passengers wear their seatbelts and they are injured in an accident then you may find yourself liable. But, if the seatbelt failure is the result of the manufacturer the resultant injury may not be your fault unless you obviously knew the product was defective. As such, it is important to properly inspect all passenger seatbelts for defects so as not to leave your passengers at risk for injury and yourself at risk for liability.

Safety and All Terrain Vehicles

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 16:44:27 -0400

When you ride an All Terrain Vehicle you have to keep in mind it is not a toy. Often, people do not see an ATV as a "legitimate vehicle" and consider it a novelty item. This can lead to them making numerous unsafe operating decisions such as standing up while riding the ATV among other unsafe practices. This should obviously be avoided as a rollover while in such a position could prove fatal. Additionally, there are certain ATV's that are prone to rolling over such as the Yamaha Rhino. But, regardless of the type of ATV you are driving it is critical to follow common sense safety precautions and reduce any chance of a potential injury.

Seatbelt Failure

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 14:30:26 -0400

It is not enough for a car manufacturer to provide seatbelts with a vehicle. After all, the manufacturers are compelled to provide seatbelts by law. What these manufacturers are also required to do is test the seatbelts to make sure they are working properly. This does not mean 1 in 10. It means ALL seatbelts in ALL cars. Because of this if a seatbelt fails during an accident then the manufacturer should be held responsible particularly when the stakes in a seatbelt failure are so high. Thankfully, there are liability laws on the books which provide recourse in the situation one suffers an injury as a result of seatbelt failure.

Airbag Danger for Short People

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:09:10 -0400

Did you know that auto makers design cars to accommodate people of average height which is considered 5-feet-8-inches? Reaching the pedals and seeing over the steering wheel can create problems for shorter drivers who usually are teens, elderly, and some women.

One of the down sides of moving the seat closer to the pedals is that the shorter driver is now in the airbag danger zone, or closer than 10 or 12 inches from the steering wheel. Being too close to the airbag is highly dangerous as the full on impact can gravely injure the shorter driver and crush delicate senior citizens.

Short people are at risk of being injured or killed by the full force of an inflating airbag.

Another solution is airbag switches that allow the driver to turn the airbag on or off at will -- to accommodate shorter drivers as well as their average or taller spouses and driving companions.

Airbag switches are also available to control the passenger airbag. This is especially important if you need to seat children in front, or if you carry passengers who are especially likely to be severely injured by the force of an airbag. The federal government recognizes this danger and gives permission for those who fit these categories to have an airbag switch installed.

Who Can You Trust? Not Volvo Airbags

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:04:42 -0400

Volvo's popular models failed to inflate in two separate tests. The problem was identified in an 18 mph pole test. The test stimulates a car slamming sideways into a lamp post or tree. The Volvo's airbags did not inflate in a timely manner - not in enough time to save lives.

The previous V70 was Britain's top-selling large estate car in 2006. The new V70, which went on sale in September 2007, is set to attract 7,000 annual UK sales.

In the 2007 Volvo launch, one of the mail selling points was "safer than ever".

Volvo said the side airbags opened as required during their own testing and said there was no cause for alarm. Despite the airbags failing to inflate, the V70 won the maximum five stars for adult protection from Euro NCAP.

You have to wonder why Euro NCAP, the independent safety organization that tests and makes safety awards to European cars, still awarded Volvo and the V70 such an award even when the airbag does not inflate in a safety test.