Rhoades McKee seeks damages against jeep rental company on behalf of Illinois client
On June 29, Rhoades McKee Attorneys Paul McCarthy, Martin Buschle, and Stephen Hulst filed a lawsuit against Parrot’s Landing, Inc., a Michigan Corp.; its owner, Travis Parrott; and a former employee on behalf of Illinois residents Dr. John Ross and wife Erin. Dr. Ross suffered multiple neck fractures in a Jeep rollover at Silver Lake Sand Dunes Aug. 4, 2017.
The filing says that Parrot’s Landing, Inc.’s business model preys on vacationers by knowingly misrepresenting its Silver Lake Dune tours and Jeep rentals as fun and safe, including for any toddler over 12 months, while actively concealing a history of rollovers.
This history of Parrot’s Landing customers unwittingly and unintentionally rolling over Jeeps at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes is both shocking and appalling. Dr. Ross was the ninth Parrot’s Landing customer to experience an unintentional Jeep rollover, the third in three consecutive days, and the second in two days on “hill three.” Nearly all of these drivers, each enduring a terrifying life-threatening experience, are out-of-state residents who were vacationing in Michigan. None had any idea that they were at risk of rolling a Jeep over.
All of this was concealed by Travis Parrott, his company, and his employees, and no safety-related information of any kind was (or is) on the Parrot’s Landing website.
Many more details are contained in the 54-page complaint, filed in Federal District Court, which claim that facts reveal Travis Parrott and his company are not just acting recklessly, they are intentionally putting customers at risk and in harm’s way – all for profit motive.
Attorney Paul McCarthy stated: “The only word that describes the conduct of Travis Parrott and his business is ‘unconscionable.’ They are knowingly and intentionally putting customers, inexperienced and unfamiliar with dune climbing, at risk by concealing the chronic rollover risk, not warning them..., then giving them training that only magnifies the risk. This lawsuit is designed to swiftly and justly address their fraudulent business practices not just in the form of money damages but also in the form of injunctive relief...”
Dr. Ross said, “Based on Parrot’s Landing’s representations and website, I believed we were engaged in a safe and fun family activity. They even encouraged my 16-year-old son, who only had his learner’s permit, to take a turn driving the Jeep, which I took as further assurance that driving the dunes was safe. I would never have taken my kids there had I known there was any risk of rolling a Jeep over. I am appalled and outraged... and cannot believe that the business owner would intentionally put me and my family at risk. Unfortunately, I have to live with the consequences of... his false and deceptive business practices.”
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