We reported earlier this week about a Yamaha Rhino off-road accident in Riverside County which killed 31-year-old Juan Carlos Camarillo of Garden Grove. After we posted the blog, new details emerged about how this tragic off road rollover accident took place. According to a news report in The Orange County Register Camarillo was not wearing a seatbelt, and had five children as passengers in the Yamaha, including a 1-year-old child on his lap. No one was wearing a helmet or any other kind of protective gear. Camarillo was apparently trying to climb a steep hill on the Yamaha Rhino with all these children in tow when he lost control and the Rhino rolled over, toppling down a sharp embankment.
Camarillo was pronounced dead at the scene. Christian Camarillo, 5, was critically injured with two broken arms. Johnathan Camarillo, 8, had a broken hand. The 1-year-old, Ethan Camarillo, had cuts on his stomach. Desiree Camarillo, 4, had a broken left leg and Marlene Maldonado, 8, injured her wrist. The children were taken to area hospitals. California Highway Patrol officials said the cause of the Yamaha Rhino off-road crash was not immediately known. The Register also reports that Juan Camarillo was charged in 2006 for driving without a seatbelt, but the charges were dismissed because Camarillo went to traffic school.
My heart goes out to the family of Juan Carlos Camarillo and I offer them my deepest condolences.
There is no question here that Juan Camarillo did behave dangerously by not wearing a seat belt, not wearing a helmet and by carrying so many children up a steep slope in an off-road vehicle that is notorious for its instability and propensity to roll over. But it does not change the fact that the Yamaha Rhino is a dangerous off-road vehicle. It was with good reason that Yamaha suspended production or sales of these vehicles by launching a voluntary repair program for the Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models.
The company will not sell any more of these vehicles until the defective Rhinos are repaired and the design defects are fixed. Yamaha took this step particularly to prevent off-road rollover accidents, which have so far caused 46 deaths and hundreds of personal injuries. There were hundreds of victims who were wearing helmets, took safety precautions and rode this vehicle the way it was supposed to be and still became victims of fatal or serious injury rollover accidents.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed because of a defective Yamaha Rhino please contact an experienced product defect attorney to find out more information about how to pursue your rights. My staff or I would be more than happy to explain your legal rights and options.
SLS Consulting
Nick Sanfilippo said:
My grandson Nick Sanfilippo (23) was in a rollover accident on October 27, 2007. His leg was partially severed and he has has several surgeries to correct it. He is now permanentely disabled -unable to work. He has an attorney in Florida and the case was going along as he has all of the medical records released to them and was expecting attorney's to meet with him at an attorney's office in Irvine, California when suddenly they called him to say that they were dropping the case as it was costing them too much. what a shame, what does he do now?
BISNAR | CHASE said:
What a shame! One of the obstacles to a auto defect is the enormous cost of pursuing such cases. Pretty much only the bigger, stronger law firms with a reputation with the auto makers, like Bisnar|Chase has, can fight these types of cases. Call Bisnar|Chase for assistance.