Amusement Park Accidents
Summer has long been associated with hot, dusty days spent riding the rides at amusement parks. Children relish the thrill of the roller coaster and the tilt-a-whirl while parents have memories of getting sick on the rides as youngsters. Whether it is a travelling amusement park or a year-round themed park, amusement park accidents are a real threat to the fun. Some rides have caused very serious or life-altering injuries and many times ride operators are unskilled summer workers who are not adequately trained or paid.
Amusement Park Accident Statistics
According to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were approximately 8,800 people who sought treatment for amusement park injuries in emergency rooms in 2006. It is estimated that 4,400 children are hurt each year on amusement park rides, but only 1.5 percent of those injuries are serious enough to require hospitalization. Between 1990 and 2000, approximately 93,000 children under the age of 18 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries incurred at amusement parks or traveling carnivals.
Children account for about 50 percent of all amusement park injuries, with kids between ten and 14 years old sustaining the most injuries of any age group with 17.9 percent of all reported injuries. Children are also the victims in three quarters of those accidents that involve a rider falling or forcefully ejected from an amusement park ride. Between 1987 and 2000, 51 people were killed on amusement park rides; roller coasters accounted for 16 deaths and whirling rides for 11 deaths.
Amusement Park Ride Injuries
Catastrophic amusement park ride injuries include:
- traumatic brain injuries
- neck or spine injuries
- broken bones
- internal injuries
- crush injuries
- amputations
- electrocution
- whiplash
- brain hemorrhages
- paraplegia/quadriplegia
- death
Causes of Amusement Park Accidents
A great personal Injury attorney will understand and evaluate every possible cause of an injury. Common causes of amusement park accidents include everything from operator error, mechanical or design flaw or failure, design defects or limitations, loose, worn, or rusty cables, nuts or bolts, faulty or inadequate safety features, improper height or weight calculations or restrictions, and exposed electrical wires. Environmental factors such as proximity to salt water and high temperatures must also be taken into consideration when evaluating damage to rides that could have caused the accident.
Liability for Damages
In an amusement park accident, you are likely looking at a combination of product liability, negligence, and premises liability law. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in an amusement park ride accident or carnival accident you should seek the help of an experienced amusement park accident attorney who will investigate the cause of the accident and fight for damages on your behalf.
Like many businesses, most amusement parks and carnival operators will not settle a claim unless they are sued. Never agree to settle a claim without the help of an accident lawyer who will help you settle in your favor.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is two to three times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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