California Amusement Park Accident Attorneys
Southern California is home to a number of amusement parks, large county fairs and busy water parks. When an accident occurs - whether it is at an amusement park, a carnival ride or a water park - the amusement parks are responsible for the maintenance and safety of their rides, and injured victims are usually entitled to receive monetary compensation for their losses. Injuries suffered at amusement parks or carnival rides can prove catastrophic or even fatal.
Seeking Compensation
Victims of amusement park accidents have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. In some cases, victims find that civil litigation against the ride operator or theme park owner is the only way to receive fair compensation. A successful claim should result in compensation for financial losses such as current and future medical bills, the cost of hospitalization and rehabilitation, lost wages, loss of earning potential, pain and suffering, permanent injuries and other related damages.
The experienced amusement park attorneys at BISNAR CHASE have a long and successful track record of helping severely injured victims and their families obtain fair and full compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in an amusement park or ride accident, please contact us at (800) 561-4887 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights. You do not have to pay any fees until we win your case for you.
Types of Amusement Park Accidents
Amusement park owners are liable for the injuries that occur on their premises. Therefore, amusement park liability issues can stem from a variety of incidents ranging from a trip-and-fall accident on a damaged walkway to a high-speed rollercoaster derailment. Amusement park rides must be routinely inspected several times a day. Rides as well as other parts of the park must be properly maintained. Amusement parks also have a duty to regularly review the conditions of their rides and the practices of their employees. Failing to do so is a form of negligence that can lead to serious injuries.
How Common are Amusement Park Accidents?
The National Safety Council and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) report that the chances of being seriously injured in an amusement park ride is 1 in 24 million. Furthermore, only 61 of the 1,415 ride-related injuries suffered each year in amusement park accidents require some form of overnight treatment at a hospital.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) there are about 4.5 fatalities each year in amusement park accidents. For example, there were two amusement ride-related fatalities in 2000, six in 1999 and seven in 1998. In 2000, there were 10,580 emergency room-treated injuries suffered in fixed-site and mobile amusement rides. There were also 1,918 inflation attraction-related injuries during that same year.
Amusement Park Injuries
The most common amusement park injuries are head, neck and back injuries that could occur as a result of getting whipped around on spinning rides, bumper cars or other rollercoaster rides. An individual could suffer a stroke from trauma to neck ligaments or suffer a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury as a result of falling or a detached object hitting the rider's heads. Riders may also suffer brain aneurysms as a result of going on rides that are too fast for them. Some of the other injuries commonly suffered in amusement parks include lacerations, bone fractures and torn ligaments. Drowning or near-drowning incidents could occur in water parks. A person could also suffer fatal injuries as a result of being ejected from a ride.
Causes of Amusement Park Injuries
There are several issues that contribute to amusement park accidents and injuries. The majority of theme park, waterslide and rollercoaster injuries result from:
- Mechanical failure: Many serious injury accidents involve the failure of a structural component. A broken safety device or braking component in a ride or attraction can be extremely dangerous. In such cases, the ride manufacturer or the maker of the faulty part can also be held liable.
- Improper operation: All ride operators must make sure that visitors are properly secured before starting the ride. Also, operators must not abruptly stop rides at an unsafe time.
- Defective design: Amusement park accidents can still occur because of the way a ride or attraction is designed. Investigators must determine if a ride causes head trauma or soft tissue damage because of the way it was designed.
- Passenger negligence: Intentionally unlatching a seatbelt or rocking a car can be extremely dangerous. In such cases, it must be determined if the victim was behaving recklessly and if the victim was informed of what activities are not allowed.
- Lack of warning: Amusement parks should post warnings next to their rides with regard to possible effects it could have on riders. For example, if a ride is not suited for pregnant women or those with heart conditions or high blood pressure, that should be specified in the warning.
In the Event of an Accident
It can be challenging for workers, managers and operators to keep track of every visitor. If you have suffered an injury, it is important that you get medical attention right away. Report your injury to the park's administrators. Make sure you file a report and obtain a copy for your records. Take photos of the hazardous conditions that contributed to your injuries and request medical attention. No matter what type of injury you have suffered, you should be able to seek support for your medical expenses if the accident occurred due to someone else's negligence or error. If you've been injured on a ride, don't hesitate to contact Bisnar Chase for immediate legal help!
