Off-road vehicles are a fun way to explore the great outdoors. Burlington County owners of recreational vehicles naturally expect that the vehicle will operate the way it is supposed to. However, that does not always happen, as shown by a recent recall.
American Honda has issued a recall of certain recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) after reports of crashes and injuries have surfaced. The throttle pedal of the vehicles can become stuck in the open position, leading to collisions and injuries. The vehicles at issue include about 82,000 2016-2019 Model Year Honda Pioneer 1000 5Ps.
Honda has received 15 notifications of the throttle issue, including six accident reports, one accident in which the rider suffered a concussion and a broken nose. Owners of the recalled ROVs can receive a free repair. In addition to the recall posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website, Honda is directly contacting all known buyers of the recalled ROVs.
While recalls are a good way to get dangerous products off store shelves, they sometimes come too little, too late for those already injured by the defective product. When this happens, the injured consumer may want to determine if they can pursue a products liability claim. A successful claim can hold the manufacturer or seller of the product liable for damages the defective product caused. Products are supposed to conform with the ordinary expectations of the person who is using the product in the manner it is intended. Products that fail to live up to this standard may be defective. Products liability claims are complex, however, and this post cannot serve as the basis for any legal filing. Those who want to learn more about products liability can consult with an attorney, who can provide advice on this topic.