Arm Injury Cases
Attorneys John Kristensen and Chris Wood are at the forefront of bringing Polaris Industries to justice for their deliberate failure to install full safety nets in their RZR and Ranger Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs).
Injury victims have filed at least 57 separate lawsuits alleging arm and hand injuries due to rollovers in Polaris RZRs alone. Consumers have made many similar complaints about Polaris Rangers and Ranger Crew vehicles.
Still, Polaris refuses to change its practices, despite knowing the injuries its consumers have sustained, understanding the product defects causing the injuries, and being able to remedy them.
Simple, safe, and inexpensive designs are available to prevent injuries from Polaris RZR and Ranger UTVs. For example, Honda installs full window nets as standard safety equipment on its similar offroad vehicles. The following excerpt from a Honda Owner’s Manual explains why safety nets are necessary:
Side Nets
Your Honda SXS is equipped with side nets to prevent branches, or other debris from getting inside the driver’s compartment, and to keep the driver’s and passenger’s hands and arms inside the occupant protective structure (OPS) if the vehicle ever tips or overturns.
The side nets are secured to the OPS with side net D-rings and side net buckles. To function properly, the side nets should be tight. If a side net is loose, tighten the belts on the side net D-rings.
Be sure the side nets are properly latched before driving your Honda SXS, and never remove side nets from the vehicle. Inspect the condition of the side net and its mounting hardware. If there is wear, deterioration, damage, or they do not latch and tighten securely, see your dealer for repair or replacement.
Polaris RZR
No Nets
VS
Honda Talon
Nets Sold Standard
Passengers and drivers on the left side of Polaris RZR and Ranger UTVs can suffer injuries on their left arms and hands when the vehicles roll over (at speeds as slow as 10-15 miles per hour). Passengers on the right side of these vehicles suffer injuries to their right upper extremities.
During a rollover incident, Polaris RZR and Ranger occupants reflexively put their arms out to brace for the fall, similar to blinking if an object approaches your eye. Your body reflexively protects itself without conscious thought.
John P. Kristensen
Partner
Christopher W. Wood
Partner
If you or someone you know sustained injury in a Polaris UTV accident due to a lack of safety nets, ROPS failure, or spontaneous fire, contact Mr. Kristensen and Mr. Wood for help today!