Rhino Rollover
#31
Just to give you people here an update, this same guy that is suing Yamaha had an article out in our local paper on this whole ordeal last Sunday. I would like to know if they actually let Monkeys Field Test Rhinos??[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
People injured during Rhino rollovers suing company
BY JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: jlogan@bakersfield.com | Saturday, Jul 22 2006 9:05 PM
Last Updated: Saturday, Jul 22 2006 9:09 PM
Doctors gave Bakersfield resident Dwight Grimes an ugly choice when his Rhino, a vehicle the size of a golf cart with the motor of an all-terrain vehicle, tumbled over on his leg: Amputate the leg or possibly live with excruciating pain and limited mobility.
The doctors suggested Grimes amputate.
He chose to keep the leg.
Attorney Anthony Klein believes Grimes should never have had to make that choice.
Klein is suing Yamaha on behalf of 12 people across the country who have suffered remarkably similar injuries.
Yamaha's attorney, Victor Bilger, declined to comment about the case, which is set to go to trial in Orange County in November.
After Grimes' crash in fall 2004, he contacted Klein.
The attorney discovered the Rhino has rolled over onto peoples' legs in numerous occasions while the person was making a turn driving relatively slowly. He believed it must be a pattern and took it to scientists for tests.
They discovered the vehicle was prone to roll over during turns at relatively low speeds because it was too narrow, top heavy and the tires were too small, Klein said.
But there is another problem, he said. The vehicle has no rail to keep peoples' feet inside the vehicle in case of a rollover, Klein said.
This was a recipe for serious injury for five of Klein's clients in California and seven more across the United States, the attorney said.
Klein did not specify an amount he would like to receive in Grimes' case.
Grimes bought his Rhino brand new for about $11,000 to replace his golf cart. He thought he would use the Rhino to carry weeds and rocks and ride around his property in north Bakersfield.
Within days of the purchase, Grimes drove around his 80-acre property in search of a coyote that appeared to have an injured leg, Grimes said.
But as he turned the vehicle, it tipped over and pinned his leg, he said.
Grimes knew he was in trouble.
"I could see a couple of bones sticking out," he said.
He was all alone in a remote area of his property where no one could see him or hear him if he cried out.
Grimes lifted the Rhino to free his leg. He made a splint out of his T-shirt and a flipflop, and he stopped the bleeding.
Grimes tried to crawl to safety but became tired in the hot sun and laid down in the shade of a power pole.
His son found him two or three hours later after he noticed his father was missing.
Grimes spent a couple of months in the hospital and even longer learning to walk again after numerous surgeries. But his leg is still in pain and he can't walk very far.
"Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't have been better off amputating because of the pain," Grimes said.
Grimes had to step down to a lesser job, where he works inspecting buildings because it requires less walking.
Now he hopes Yamaha will compensate him for the injuries and fix the Rhino so it doesn't hurt anyone else.
"My whole life was spent protecting someone from getting hurt," Grimes said.
People injured during Rhino rollovers suing company
BY JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: jlogan@bakersfield.com | Saturday, Jul 22 2006 9:05 PM
Last Updated: Saturday, Jul 22 2006 9:09 PM
Doctors gave Bakersfield resident Dwight Grimes an ugly choice when his Rhino, a vehicle the size of a golf cart with the motor of an all-terrain vehicle, tumbled over on his leg: Amputate the leg or possibly live with excruciating pain and limited mobility.
The doctors suggested Grimes amputate.
He chose to keep the leg.
Attorney Anthony Klein believes Grimes should never have had to make that choice.
Klein is suing Yamaha on behalf of 12 people across the country who have suffered remarkably similar injuries.
Yamaha's attorney, Victor Bilger, declined to comment about the case, which is set to go to trial in Orange County in November.
After Grimes' crash in fall 2004, he contacted Klein.
The attorney discovered the Rhino has rolled over onto peoples' legs in numerous occasions while the person was making a turn driving relatively slowly. He believed it must be a pattern and took it to scientists for tests.
They discovered the vehicle was prone to roll over during turns at relatively low speeds because it was too narrow, top heavy and the tires were too small, Klein said.
But there is another problem, he said. The vehicle has no rail to keep peoples' feet inside the vehicle in case of a rollover, Klein said.
This was a recipe for serious injury for five of Klein's clients in California and seven more across the United States, the attorney said.
Klein did not specify an amount he would like to receive in Grimes' case.
Grimes bought his Rhino brand new for about $11,000 to replace his golf cart. He thought he would use the Rhino to carry weeds and rocks and ride around his property in north Bakersfield.
Within days of the purchase, Grimes drove around his 80-acre property in search of a coyote that appeared to have an injured leg, Grimes said.
But as he turned the vehicle, it tipped over and pinned his leg, he said.
Grimes knew he was in trouble.
"I could see a couple of bones sticking out," he said.
He was all alone in a remote area of his property where no one could see him or hear him if he cried out.
Grimes lifted the Rhino to free his leg. He made a splint out of his T-shirt and a flipflop, and he stopped the bleeding.
Grimes tried to crawl to safety but became tired in the hot sun and laid down in the shade of a power pole.
His son found him two or three hours later after he noticed his father was missing.
Grimes spent a couple of months in the hospital and even longer learning to walk again after numerous surgeries. But his leg is still in pain and he can't walk very far.
"Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't have been better off amputating because of the pain," Grimes said.
Grimes had to step down to a lesser job, where he works inspecting buildings because it requires less walking.
Now he hopes Yamaha will compensate him for the injuries and fix the Rhino so it doesn't hurt anyone else.
"My whole life was spent protecting someone from getting hurt," Grimes said.
#33
Originally posted by: RacinJason
I vote that people start taking responsibility for themselves and actions
I vote that people start taking responsibility for themselves and actions
I vote the same. People looking to blame another for their stupidity suck. Drives the price of the machine up for all. take responsibility for your own actions. What they want is a free ride on our dollars.
If you dont know to not stick your foot out, then put a door or bar anything YOU want on YOURS. But leave everyone else alone & take responsibility. If you cant, don't buy one.
#34
Originally posted by: prowrench
I vote the same. People looking to blame another for their stupidity suck. Drives the price of the machine up for all. Losers too chicken to take responsibility for their own actions. What they want is a free ride on our dollars.
If your too stupid to not stick your foot out, then put a door or bar anything YOU want on YOURS. But leave everyone else alone & take responsibility. If you cant, don't buy one.
I'm a double amputee, happened while riding a YAMAHA in 2000 was in the hospital for 366 days. This is not a joke, I got a Rhino last summer for my off-road wheelchair after much research. It has been a great ride & driving it pure pleasure. It's as close to freedom that I can get now.
Originally posted by: RacinJason
I vote that people start taking responsibility for themselves and actions
I vote that people start taking responsibility for themselves and actions
I vote the same. People looking to blame another for their stupidity suck. Drives the price of the machine up for all. Losers too chicken to take responsibility for their own actions. What they want is a free ride on our dollars.
If your too stupid to not stick your foot out, then put a door or bar anything YOU want on YOURS. But leave everyone else alone & take responsibility. If you cant, don't buy one.
I'm a double amputee, happened while riding a YAMAHA in 2000 was in the hospital for 366 days. This is not a joke, I got a Rhino last summer for my off-road wheelchair after much research. It has been a great ride & driving it pure pleasure. It's as close to freedom that I can get now.
#35
I just kind of stumpled on this site after googling "Rhino Rollovers" after reading that article in my local newspaper, so I apologize for busting into this conversation. I just wanted to put my two cents in on this subject.
I have been riding quads/three-wheelers since I was 7 (I am now 24) and I have been offroading since I was 18. I am not a stranger to the trail or sand. My sister got a 450 Rhino a little while ago. Me and a good friend of mine took it out on their property. They have 5 acres of very flat land. We go out to the back 2 1/2 acres, go to turn around and laid it over at a VERY low speed. The thing just went up on 2 wheels and even though I turned into the roll, it still just "plopped" over. No donuts, no jumping, no crazy driving. Evidently it just caught a bad rut and just laid over. The problem was, due to the lack of feet support, my friends leg (who was the passenger) got swept out of the Rhino. He did not step out of the Rhino out of reaction. He is also very familiar with offroad vehicles and he knew better. After his feet got swept out, they got pinned under the Rhino and the force shattered his foot. They didn't have to amputate but it was still extremely painful injury.
The kicker in all of this is, I was NOT driving crazy. No ifs ands or buts about it. People can say "you must have been driving crazy" or "it wont roll over if you aren't pushing it to its limits." I am here to say that I was driving no near its limit. I didn't even put my seat belt on because I was not going to be crazy. I was just cruising. Upon turning around, it just plopped over. That is the aspect that is so alarming to me. I cannot say "I was stupid" or "I just should have been more careful" and the problem would be fixed. Being crazy or stupid wasn't the problem. The problem is the lack of design to keep feet in the vehicle.
That is where I can fully understand the lawsuit. Not in the fact that it can rolled over. Its mere design should tell the driver and passenger that it is top heavy. However, the fact that there is nothing to keep your feet IN THE CART. Instinct will tell you to either jump out (bad idea) or go to the center of the Rhino (good idea). To get your upper body into the center of the Rhino when all the momentum on a slow speed roll over is pushig you out, you have to have something to push against with your feet (it's that whole "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" thing from high school science). The Rhino has nothing to push agaisnt and that fact is what swept my friends feet out of the vehicle and under the Rhino. Because of the situation, my sister and brother in law have since bought doors for the Rhino so that the same thing doesn't happen again. However, for the consumer to fix the design flaw can be pricey. If yamaha would just add a very inexpensive extra portion to the plastic to keep the feet in, all would be well. The scary aspect of this situation is, it does not fall within the realm "necessary expected danger." This is somethign that people not realize until they have read about, seen, or experience for themselves.
Sure there are inherint dangers in offroad vehicles, motorcycles, and all those other things people mentioned. However, design flaws are what need to be fixed. Lawyers are not going to sue jeep for the consumer taking the doors off. That is out of Jeeps control. However, it would be very easy for Yamaha to fix this design flaw. If the lawsuit does nothing more than inform Yamaha of their design flaw, then more power to them.
This, to me, is along the same lines as the Ford/Firestone Tire issue awhile ago when people where blowing tires and rolling their SUV. The answer is not "well they should not have been going 70 mph in the heat of the summer while driving a top heavy SUV." No, the answer is to ask the manufacturer to fix their flaw. People were operating the vehicle EXACTLY in the manner the vehicle was designed to be operated and due to a design flaw in the tire, people's safety were endangered.
Long post, busting in uninvited to a conversation, and taking an opposing viewpoint, I apologize for all counts. Might be nice to hear both sides of the story though. Just my 2 cents. All I ask is that you let the tar cool a bit before applying the feathers to me.
I have been riding quads/three-wheelers since I was 7 (I am now 24) and I have been offroading since I was 18. I am not a stranger to the trail or sand. My sister got a 450 Rhino a little while ago. Me and a good friend of mine took it out on their property. They have 5 acres of very flat land. We go out to the back 2 1/2 acres, go to turn around and laid it over at a VERY low speed. The thing just went up on 2 wheels and even though I turned into the roll, it still just "plopped" over. No donuts, no jumping, no crazy driving. Evidently it just caught a bad rut and just laid over. The problem was, due to the lack of feet support, my friends leg (who was the passenger) got swept out of the Rhino. He did not step out of the Rhino out of reaction. He is also very familiar with offroad vehicles and he knew better. After his feet got swept out, they got pinned under the Rhino and the force shattered his foot. They didn't have to amputate but it was still extremely painful injury.
The kicker in all of this is, I was NOT driving crazy. No ifs ands or buts about it. People can say "you must have been driving crazy" or "it wont roll over if you aren't pushing it to its limits." I am here to say that I was driving no near its limit. I didn't even put my seat belt on because I was not going to be crazy. I was just cruising. Upon turning around, it just plopped over. That is the aspect that is so alarming to me. I cannot say "I was stupid" or "I just should have been more careful" and the problem would be fixed. Being crazy or stupid wasn't the problem. The problem is the lack of design to keep feet in the vehicle.
That is where I can fully understand the lawsuit. Not in the fact that it can rolled over. Its mere design should tell the driver and passenger that it is top heavy. However, the fact that there is nothing to keep your feet IN THE CART. Instinct will tell you to either jump out (bad idea) or go to the center of the Rhino (good idea). To get your upper body into the center of the Rhino when all the momentum on a slow speed roll over is pushig you out, you have to have something to push against with your feet (it's that whole "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" thing from high school science). The Rhino has nothing to push agaisnt and that fact is what swept my friends feet out of the vehicle and under the Rhino. Because of the situation, my sister and brother in law have since bought doors for the Rhino so that the same thing doesn't happen again. However, for the consumer to fix the design flaw can be pricey. If yamaha would just add a very inexpensive extra portion to the plastic to keep the feet in, all would be well. The scary aspect of this situation is, it does not fall within the realm "necessary expected danger." This is somethign that people not realize until they have read about, seen, or experience for themselves.
Sure there are inherint dangers in offroad vehicles, motorcycles, and all those other things people mentioned. However, design flaws are what need to be fixed. Lawyers are not going to sue jeep for the consumer taking the doors off. That is out of Jeeps control. However, it would be very easy for Yamaha to fix this design flaw. If the lawsuit does nothing more than inform Yamaha of their design flaw, then more power to them.
This, to me, is along the same lines as the Ford/Firestone Tire issue awhile ago when people where blowing tires and rolling their SUV. The answer is not "well they should not have been going 70 mph in the heat of the summer while driving a top heavy SUV." No, the answer is to ask the manufacturer to fix their flaw. People were operating the vehicle EXACTLY in the manner the vehicle was designed to be operated and due to a design flaw in the tire, people's safety were endangered.
Long post, busting in uninvited to a conversation, and taking an opposing viewpoint, I apologize for all counts. Might be nice to hear both sides of the story though. Just my 2 cents. All I ask is that you let the tar cool a bit before applying the feathers to me.
#36
Well, do the Ranger, Mule, and the other machines similar to the Rhino suffer from the same thing? Or is the combination of clearance, narrow track, and powerful motor that contributes to these accidents? I have a Mule but it isn't nearly as nimble or quick as is the Rhino. I can say that the Mule is quite heavy, if it fell on your foot/leg you wouldn't free yourself.
#37
Originally posted by: Bk9360
I just kind of stumpled on this site after googling "Rhino Rollovers" after reading that article in my local newspaper, so I apologize for busting into this conversation. I just wanted to put my two cents in on this subject.
I have been riding quads/three-wheelers since I was 7 (I am now 24) and I have been offroading since I was 18. I am not a stranger to the trail or sand. My sister got a 450 Rhino a little while ago. Me and a good friend of mine took it out on their property. They have 5 acres of very flat land. We go out to the back 2 1/2 acres, go to turn around and laid it over at a VERY low speed. The thing just went up on 2 wheels and even though I turned into the roll, it still just "plopped" over. No donuts, no jumping, no crazy driving. Evidently it just caught a bad rut and just laid over. The problem was, due to the lack of feet support, my friends leg (who was the passenger) got swept out of the Rhino. He did not step out of the Rhino out of reaction. He is also very familiar with offroad vehicles and he knew better. After his feet got swept out, they got pinned under the Rhino and the force shattered his foot. They didn't have to amputate but it was still extremely painful injury.
The kicker in all of this is, I was NOT driving crazy. No ifs ands or buts about it. People can say "you must have been driving crazy" or "it wont roll over if you aren't pushing it to its limits." I am here to say that I was driving no near its limit. I didn't even put my seat belt on because I was not going to be crazy. I was just cruising. Upon turning around, it just plopped over. That is the aspect that is so alarming to me. I cannot say "I was stupid" or "I just should have been more careful" and the problem would be fixed. Being crazy or stupid wasn't the problem. The problem is the lack of design to keep feet in the vehicle.
That is where I can fully understand the lawsuit. Not in the fact that it can rolled over. Its mere design should tell the driver and passenger that it is top heavy. However, the fact that there is nothing to keep your feet IN THE CART. Instinct will tell you to either jump out (bad idea) or go to the center of the Rhino (good idea). To get your upper body into the center of the Rhino when all the momentum on a slow speed roll over is pushig you out, you have to have something to push against with your feet (it's that whole "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" thing from high school science). The Rhino has nothing to push agaisnt and that fact is what swept my friends feet out of the vehicle and under the Rhino. Because of the situation, my sister and brother in law have since bought doors for the Rhino so that the same thing doesn't happen again. However, for the consumer to fix the design flaw can be pricey. If yamaha would just add a very inexpensive extra portion to the plastic to keep the feet in, all would be well. The scary aspect of this situation is, it does not fall within the realm "necessary expected danger." This is somethign that people not realize until they have read about, seen, or experience for themselves.
Sure there are inherint dangers in offroad vehicles, motorcycles, and all those other things people mentioned. However, design flaws are what need to be fixed. Lawyers are not going to sue jeep for the consumer taking the doors off. That is out of Jeeps control. However, it would be very easy for Yamaha to fix this design flaw. If the lawsuit does nothing more than inform Yamaha of their design flaw, then more power to them.
This, to me, is along the same lines as the Ford/Firestone Tire issue awhile ago when people where blowing tires and rolling their SUV. The answer is not "well they should not have been going 70 mph in the heat of the summer while driving a top heavy SUV." No, the answer is to ask the manufacturer to fix their flaw. People were operating the vehicle EXACTLY in the manner the vehicle was designed to be operated and due to a design flaw in the tire, people's safety were endangered.
Long post, busting in uninvited to a conversation, and taking an opposing viewpoint, I apologize for all counts. Might be nice to hear both sides of the story though. Just my 2 cents. All I ask is that you let the tar cool a bit before applying the feathers to me.
I just kind of stumpled on this site after googling "Rhino Rollovers" after reading that article in my local newspaper, so I apologize for busting into this conversation. I just wanted to put my two cents in on this subject.
I have been riding quads/three-wheelers since I was 7 (I am now 24) and I have been offroading since I was 18. I am not a stranger to the trail or sand. My sister got a 450 Rhino a little while ago. Me and a good friend of mine took it out on their property. They have 5 acres of very flat land. We go out to the back 2 1/2 acres, go to turn around and laid it over at a VERY low speed. The thing just went up on 2 wheels and even though I turned into the roll, it still just "plopped" over. No donuts, no jumping, no crazy driving. Evidently it just caught a bad rut and just laid over. The problem was, due to the lack of feet support, my friends leg (who was the passenger) got swept out of the Rhino. He did not step out of the Rhino out of reaction. He is also very familiar with offroad vehicles and he knew better. After his feet got swept out, they got pinned under the Rhino and the force shattered his foot. They didn't have to amputate but it was still extremely painful injury.
The kicker in all of this is, I was NOT driving crazy. No ifs ands or buts about it. People can say "you must have been driving crazy" or "it wont roll over if you aren't pushing it to its limits." I am here to say that I was driving no near its limit. I didn't even put my seat belt on because I was not going to be crazy. I was just cruising. Upon turning around, it just plopped over. That is the aspect that is so alarming to me. I cannot say "I was stupid" or "I just should have been more careful" and the problem would be fixed. Being crazy or stupid wasn't the problem. The problem is the lack of design to keep feet in the vehicle.
That is where I can fully understand the lawsuit. Not in the fact that it can rolled over. Its mere design should tell the driver and passenger that it is top heavy. However, the fact that there is nothing to keep your feet IN THE CART. Instinct will tell you to either jump out (bad idea) or go to the center of the Rhino (good idea). To get your upper body into the center of the Rhino when all the momentum on a slow speed roll over is pushig you out, you have to have something to push against with your feet (it's that whole "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" thing from high school science). The Rhino has nothing to push agaisnt and that fact is what swept my friends feet out of the vehicle and under the Rhino. Because of the situation, my sister and brother in law have since bought doors for the Rhino so that the same thing doesn't happen again. However, for the consumer to fix the design flaw can be pricey. If yamaha would just add a very inexpensive extra portion to the plastic to keep the feet in, all would be well. The scary aspect of this situation is, it does not fall within the realm "necessary expected danger." This is somethign that people not realize until they have read about, seen, or experience for themselves.
Sure there are inherint dangers in offroad vehicles, motorcycles, and all those other things people mentioned. However, design flaws are what need to be fixed. Lawyers are not going to sue jeep for the consumer taking the doors off. That is out of Jeeps control. However, it would be very easy for Yamaha to fix this design flaw. If the lawsuit does nothing more than inform Yamaha of their design flaw, then more power to them.
This, to me, is along the same lines as the Ford/Firestone Tire issue awhile ago when people where blowing tires and rolling their SUV. The answer is not "well they should not have been going 70 mph in the heat of the summer while driving a top heavy SUV." No, the answer is to ask the manufacturer to fix their flaw. People were operating the vehicle EXACTLY in the manner the vehicle was designed to be operated and due to a design flaw in the tire, people's safety were endangered.
Long post, busting in uninvited to a conversation, and taking an opposing viewpoint, I apologize for all counts. Might be nice to hear both sides of the story though. Just my 2 cents. All I ask is that you let the tar cool a bit before applying the feathers to me.
#38
Here's something to consider, I have never flopped my Rhino over. I started this thread long ago, and it's still going I see. Must be a hot issue.
I have had my Rhino two years now, and have taken it on some of the most treacherous terrain imaginable, where tires are way off the ground, and never once laid it on it's side.
Now, I have leg minders, and arm minders, but maybe I'm just a really good driver?
I have had my Rhino two years now, and have taken it on some of the most treacherous terrain imaginable, where tires are way off the ground, and never once laid it on it's side.
Now, I have leg minders, and arm minders, but maybe I'm just a really good driver?
#39
I was in a horrible rhino rollover accident and I almost lost my leg. For the people on here calling other's stupid for sticking there leg out during a rollover need to rethink their assumptions. In a fast, unexpected rollover the natural human reaction is to put your leg out to break your fall, you do not have time to think in a time like this. I am a 23 year old girl that trusted in yamaha due to the design of a rhino, doesn't look like something that would tip going 20 miles in hour and that seems to be just whats happening to alot of people. I have had 13 operations, 3 months in the hospital and my body is forever disfigured now. If this was do to one person's stupidity I could understand the rude remarks of calling other people idiots for sticking there leg out in attempt to save themsleves from something terrible. But that's not the case, it seems to me that alot more people are coming forward with thier stories of how unsafe and unreliable these things really are. As a respectable and trusted compay yamaha needs to step up for what they have done and modify thier machines to ensure this doesn't screw up other unsuspecting people's lives like it has to mine.
I advise everyone to get door's put on both sides and to not assume these vehicle's are safe in anyway.
If you have had a simular accident w/ a rhino please contact me at alliedacosta@hotmail.com. Thankyou
I advise everyone to get door's put on both sides and to not assume these vehicle's are safe in anyway.
If you have had a simular accident w/ a rhino please contact me at alliedacosta@hotmail.com. Thankyou
#40
Hi my name is Allie,
I saw your post about your accident. I was in the same kind of accident. We were driving a little under 20 miles an hour and the rhino rolled pinning my foot underneath it. I to faced amputation. I chose to keep my leg also. After 13 operations and a few months in the hospital I kept my leg but it is severly disfigured and like your always in pain. I was just wondering how your case was coming along? I just got a lawyer and I am new to this but I was wanting to talk to people who have been through the same experiance. Please let me know how your doing? Thank you.
I saw your post about your accident. I was in the same kind of accident. We were driving a little under 20 miles an hour and the rhino rolled pinning my foot underneath it. I to faced amputation. I chose to keep my leg also. After 13 operations and a few months in the hospital I kept my leg but it is severly disfigured and like your always in pain. I was just wondering how your case was coming along? I just got a lawyer and I am new to this but I was wanting to talk to people who have been through the same experiance. Please let me know how your doing? Thank you.


