On January 30, 2020, Bobcat recalled its 2017-2018 Bobcat 3650 Utility Vehicles (UTVs). The rear brake line was defective and could cause the brakes to totally fail, which would prevent the vehicle from stopping. There could be serious accidents with devastating injuries due to faulty brakes. A little over 500 of the units were recalled.
The UTVs are primarily black in color with some white sections. They all have orange decals. The word “Bobcat” is on the hood of the vehicle, while the make, “3650,” can be found on the rear box. All vehicle identification numbers can be located by looking under the seat and storage bin on the passenger side, on the frame on the vehicle.
Two vehicles were included in the recall. The 2017 3650 model can be identified by VIN numbers 17001 through 17308, while the 2018 3650 can be identified by the VIN numbers 18001 through 18344.
The UTVs were manufactured in the United States in Minnesota and distributed by Bobcat in North Dakota. They were sold at various Bobcat dealers and stores across the country for three years from May 2016 to February 2019. They cost between $24,000 and $29,000 depending on the model and specifications or upgrades.
To date, no injuries or incidents have been reported. Bobcat is notifying customers and purchases directly to schedule an inspection and subsequent repair. All inspections and repairs are free of cost. It is recommended that users refrain from driving the UTVs until they have been adequately inspected by the company.
Injuries from UTV Accidents
UTV accidents are not uncommon in some areas. Many individuals use these utility vehicles as recreational ways to get around back areas and woodsy locations. If the UTV brake lines do not work, you could suddenly find yourself speeding along and unable to stop at a ditch, hazard, or other problem on the path. You may not be able to stop if another vehicle suddenly enters your path or if there is an emergency. As a result, you and your passengers, bystanders, and occupants of other vehicles could be seriously hurt.
Some common injuries that occur in UTV accidents include:- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Closed head injuries
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Dislocations
- Nerve damage
- Torn muscles
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disc injuries
- Neck damage
- Hip and knee injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Crushing injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- CRPS
- Aggravation of pre-existing injuries
- Paralysis
- Degloving
- Severed limbs and digits
- Coma
- Death
Some injuries may be long-lasting or require numerous efforts to fix or treat. It can be a long time before you even begin to improve. In the event that you are seriously injured, you should seek appropriate compensation from Bobcat. After all, you were injured due to the faulty brake lines, not your own negligent action.
Filing a Lawsuit against Bobcat for a Defective UTV Accident
Defective product lawsuits that involve vehicles are generally worth a fair amount of money, but they do require you to prove that there were defects or malfunctions with the vehicle. To do this, you will need to establish one of three points. They are as follows:
- There was a design flaw with the UTV that was not caught prior to being sent out for creation
- There was a manufacturing error with the UTV that caused the vehicles to be poorly made or broken
- There were no hazard signs or warning symbols or statements on the UTV or on the packaging or receipt
The 3650 UTVs likely had manufacturing errors that contributed to the faulty brake lines. There may not have been any design errors; the company has made numerous UTVs in the past, so they likely know how to design brakes. The manufacturing company could have had a problem with a machine or the materials used for the brake line. A brake line should not be able to be easily punctured or split, so the materials may have been faulty, old, or simply the wrong type.
In order to effectively take legal action, you will need sufficient evidence on your side. Your evidence can range in type, from physical to verbal, and will all be gathered together to submit to the insurance company.
It is crucial that you go to the doctor to get treatment for any injuries you have. If you take too long to go to the doctor, Bobcat’s insurance agent can deny your claim. He will be dubious that you were hurt and will say that you simply wanted to blame the vehicle on another accident you had. Moreover, if you do not go to the doctor for treatment, you will likely worsen your injuries and further damage your health.
You will need to procure pictures of your injuries, the vehicle’s damage, the scene of the accident, and more. This evidence will be important.
Be sure not to return the vehicle, take it to a repair shop to get fixed, try to repair it yourself, or request a refund. If you do anything to change the vehicle, the company can claim that you were the one that caused the issue in the first place. Further, if you get reimbursement, you won’t be able to seek additional compensation. You need the Bobcat as the most important piece of evidence for your case.
If any eyewitnesses saw the accident or could attest to the brake lines failing, you can add their testimonies and statements to your claim. This will give your lawsuit more credibility. Further, if numerous victims come forward with injuries from the defective Bobcat UTVs, you could be a part of a class action lawsuit. This will allow the numerous plaintiffs the ability to submit their evidence together and secure compensation from the company.
If you have any receipts, bank statements, proof of purchase documents, or other items showing that you rightfully purchased the UTV, you should add them to your claim.
Finally, you will benefit by having a product liability lawyer represent you on your case. If you try to handle it yourself, you run the risk of losing or being rejected outright. Our attorneys can constantly negotiate with the agent and ensure that your claim is at the top of the pile. We will ensure that your case proceeds smoothly while you focus on healing from your injuries and returning to a normal life.
Product Liability Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations to file a product liability lawsuit in California is 2 years from the date of the injury. If you do not file your claim in that time period, you won’t be able to do so in the future and won’t have the chance to get any compensation for your injuries. It is recommended that you do not hesitate to get evidence and file your claim, as the longer you wait, the more likely it is that your evidence will get corrupted, lost, thrown out, or forgotten.
Many product liability claims do not get filed because victims are unaware of the statute of limitations. You should be aware of the time limit and potential extensions. For example, minors can wait until they turn 18 years old to sue as they cannot legally file a lawsuit until they are of age. Further, incapacitated individuals cannot sue until they are in their right state of mind or physical wellness, so their statutes can be paused until they return to functionality.
Restitution from a Product Liability Claim
A product liability lawsuit can net you various forms of compensation. We will get you the max settlement available under the law for any damages and expenses that occur due to the faulty UTV or the accident. Our attorneys will work to bring you the following:
- Medical bills from the past and future for surgery, hospitalization, ambulatory transportation, medication, physical therapy, and more
- Lost income from the past and future you could not earn because you were unable to work due to injury or recovery time
- Property damage for any belongings or goods that were lost or damaged in the incident
- Pain and suffering damages for any emotional turmoil, psychological suffering, PTSD, fear, anxiety, and more that arose from the incident
You should not be expected to pay for these expenses if you were injured because Bobcat sold a defective UTV. We will work around the clock to bring you every penny you deserve.
The Right Firm for You
The Downtown LA Law Group is recognized as one of the most respected firms in the City of Los Angeles. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and our successful cases number in the thousands. We know the best tactics for success and will stop at nothing to bring you the restitution you need.
To receive a free legal consultation, you can call our law firm today. We will talk you through the legal process and answer all your questions. If you hire us, we’ll give you our zero fee guarantee. This means we will cover the costs of the case and you won’t pay a dime out of your own pocket. We won’t get paid unless and until we win, and the money will come from Bobcat’s insurance company. If we lose, you pay nothing.
If you want to file a defective product lawsuit against Bobcat for a malfunctioning 3650 UTV accident, contact the Downtown LA Law Group today.