Hot, dusty days experiencing the rides at a local amusement park are some of the best memories that summer has to offer. While relatively rare, serious amusement park ride accidents do happen. Whether the ride is operated by a traveling amusement company or a permanent theme park, mechanical failures and safety issues can turn a day of fun into a serious accident. Some amusement park rides are not maintained properly and many times ride operators are summer workers who are not adequately trained or paid.
If your child was badly injured on an amusement park ride, we extend our deepest sympathies. While we know that no monetary settlement can truly make things right, holding the responsible parties accountable can help provide the financial support your family needs for medical care, recovery, and your child’s future.
Amusement Park Accident Statistics
According to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were approximately 10,580 people who sought treatment for amusement park injuries in emergency rooms in 2000. Between 1993 and 2000, there were 65,689 amusement park injuries treated in emergency rooms. Between 1987 and 1999, there was an estimated average of 4.5 fatalities each year due to amusement park rides.
Most injuries occurred to children 10-14 years old (17.9%), with children 5-9 (12.6%) and 15-19 years old (13.8%) next, but with many victims 0-4 years old (6.3%).
Most Common Amusement Park Ride Accidents Injuries
Here are the most common types of injuries caused by amusement park accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck or spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Electrocution
- Whiplash
- Brain hemorrhages
- Paraplegia/quadriplegia
- Death
Determining Liability in Amusement Park Ride Accidents
In an amusement park accident, the injured person may be able to bring a negligence claim against the park and/or its employees or a product liability claim against the manufacturer of a defective ride. In some cases, both types of claims are appropriate.
Amusement park accidents can result from a variety of issues, including operator error, mechanical failure, or design flaws. Investigations often examine worn or corroded cables, loose nuts or bolts, faulty or inadequate safety restraints, improper height or weight restrictions, and exposed electrical wiring. Environmental conditions – such as proximity to saltwater or prolonged exposure to high temperatures – may also contribute to equipment deterioration and must be considered when evaluating whether a ride’s condition played a role in the accident.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Like many businesses, most amusement parks and carnival operators will not settle a claim unless they are sued. Never agree to a settlement without the help of an accident lawyer who will work to negotiate a full and fair settlement on your behalf.
A personal injury lawyer begins by thoroughly investigating the accident to determine the cause and identify all potentially responsible parties. An experienced attorney knows how to calculate the true value of your claim so any settlement covers medical expenses, future care needs, pain and suffering, and other losses. Injury lawyers also have the skills to gather the evidence needed to build a strong claim and fight back against insurance industry tactics aimed at minimizing the claim.
Having legal guidance allows parents to focus on their child’s recovery while ensuring their family’s rights are fully protected.
Contact a Child Injury Lawyer Today!
A child injury lawyer can help you recover a full and fair settlement for the injuries sustained to your child caused by the negligence of another. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get injured people to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. There are no up-front costs to you to file a claim and our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County who were injured in Washington State since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working child injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
