California Injury Blog
Polaris Industries will recall about 133,000 recreational all-terrain vehicles in the United States because they pose a fire risk. According to a Reuters news report, the company has received more than 160 reports of fire involving the models, including one that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old passenger, and 19 injuries. The defective product recall involves RZR 900 and RZR 1000 vehicles of model years 2013 to 2016 sold between July 2012 and April 2016 for $16,000 to $26,000.
Serious Risk of Fires
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that these vehicles can catch fire while driving, putting drivers and passengers at risk. Polaris will suspend the sale of the affected vehicles until they are repaired. Anyone who owns these vehicles is urged to stop using them right away and contact the manufacturer to get information about repairs. Some of these vehicles were recalled last October because of a hazard with a fuel vent line.
Later the same year, Polaris recalled some RZR XP Turbo vehicles to fix an oil drain, which also posed the danger of a fire. In addition to implementing a “corrective action plan” and updating its factory processes on newer versions of the RZR vehicle, Polaris has also added warnings that tell riders not to carry fuel or flammable liquids in their vehicles.
Horrific Incident
An incident involving one of these recalled vehicles on July 4, 2015 killed 15-year-old Baylee Hoaldridge of Provo, Utah. The girl suffered third-degree burns to more than 60 percent of her body after a rented Polaris RZR 900 she was riding in with three family members crashed and caught fire. In spite of fighting for her life and undergoing several surgeries, Baylee died four months later.
Were These Vehicles Promptly Recalled?
It is important to look into whether Polaris promptly recalled and repaired all RZR vehicles that posed a fire risk. It seems Polaris has known about these fire dangers for a while. Did the company adequately warn consumers about these fire dangers? Product manufacturers can be held liable for not only defective design or for manufacturing defects, but also for the failure to warn consumers about risks posed by their products.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of these or other defective products, please understand that you have legal rights. Contact a renowned product defect law firm to obtain more information about pursuing your rights.