ATVs Recalled for Steering Defects
BRP has issued a defective product recall for nearly 2,400 0f the 2010 model year Can-Am all-terrain vehicles. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the dynamic power steering in these ATVs can fail causing sudden loss of steering control. This could pose a risk of serious injury or death to riders. The company has apparently received one report of an incident, but no reports of injuries or fatalities yet.
The recalled ATVs were manufactured in Mexico and sold by authorized Can-Am dealers nationwide between August and November this year for between $6,800 and $13,500. Consumers are asked to stop using these vehicles right away and contact a Can-Am dealer to schedule their free repair. To view a list of all recalled models, please visit Can-Am's Web site at www.can-am.brp.com.
ATV Accident Statistics
Hundreds of young people, especially children 16 years or younger are catastrophically injured or killed in ATV accidents each year. A number of these accidents are caused by defective ATVs. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) statistics, in 2006, there were 750 deaths and 146,600 injuries involving ATV crashes in the United States. Young people in particular sustain serious and traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries.
Of course, some of these accidents occur because of incorrect operation or as a result of riders operating the ATV under the influence of alcohol or reckless driving. But in many cases, injuries and fatalities happen as a result of various product defects and design defects, which make these vehicles unstable and prone to serious accidents.
Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an ATV accident, please consult with a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled ATV accident cases, and find out more information about your legal rights and options. If you believe a defective design or a defective product caused your ATV accident, you would be well-advised to preserve the vehicle in its current crashed condition, unaltered, so it can be examined by an expert for product defects, malfunctions and other evidence. The best product defect law firms will always offer a free initial consultation to accident victims and/or their families.
