What to Do After an Amusement Park Accident
Involved in an amusement park accident? Discover essential steps to take. Explore our comprehensive guide and learn your legal rights. Click to find out more!
If you’re hurt in an amusement park accident, your priority should be to protect your rights. This includes proving the park’s negligence and filing a strong claim.
Proving negligence is harder than it may seem. Most amusement parks display possible risks of certain rides and may even ask you to sign a waiver of liability. With the right evidence, however, this is unlikely to hold up in court.
Want to ensure your rights are protected? Here’s a quick guide on what to do after a park accident and how to get the compensation you deserve!
How Safe Are Theme Park Rides?
First things first: how dangerous are amusement park rides? Though they’re safer than they once were, you’re still taking a chance every time you use one.
One problem with amusement park safety is that many things can go wrong with it. The attractions themselves are inherently risky, and poor maintenance makes them more dangerous. As such, they can cause a wide range of injuries:
- Torn ligaments
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Blunt force trauma
- Whiplash injuries
- Slip and fall accidents
- Lacerations
Why Do Amusement Park Accidents Happen?
In an amusement park, things can go wrong for a variety of different reasons. Some common factors behind amusement park accidents include:
- Poor design
- Mechanical and electrical issues
- Poor general maintenance
- Employee oversight
- Ejections and collisions
- Customer error
Some attractions, like haunted houses and water slides, may be more dangerous because they don’t have specific safety equipment. Amusement park operators must always disclose the risks involved in these types of attractions.
What to Do After an Amusement Park Accident
If you end up in an accident, there are some essential steps you need to take right away to protect your rights. Here are the five key steps after an accident:
1. Document the Accident
As soon as the ride stops, report the accident to the ride operator or park manager. Take photos of your injuries and the defective or damaged parts of the ride. If there’s any other evidence of the accident, take a photo of that as well.
2. Gather Witnesses
If there are people who can validate the accident, get their contact information. Do this as soon as possible, before they leave the area. Witness statements often play a crucial role in amusement park accidents.
3. Seek Medical Care
Almost all amusement parks have first-aid stations and on-site clinics. Find out where they are and seek medical care. If you’re feeling too unwell to walk, get someone to call 911 for immediate medical assistance.
4. Refuse Settlement Offers
In many situations, the amusement park operator may try to lure you into a settlement. These settlements are usually small and won’t cover your expenses. To get the money you’re entitled to, always speak with a lawyer first.
5. Collect Documentation
Once your injuries are taken care of, gather the medical reports. They create a direct link between your injury and the accident, supporting your claim value. Some examples of medical documentation you’ll need to collect are:
- Hospital or emergency room records
- Specialist and physician notes
- Diagnostic test results
- Medication and prescription logs
Pursuing Compensation After an Accident
The success of personal injury claims in amusement park accidents often depends on two things: determining liability and your legal support.
Determining Liability for the Accident
Determining who’s liable for a park accident relies on how the accident occurred. Some accidents are caused by an employee not following the safety procedures, such as failing to tighten safety belts. This liability would fall on the employer.
In other cases, the accident may occur because the manufacturers didn’t build the machinery properly. If so, liability falls on whoever’s in charge of inspecting the equipment, or even the amusement park owner.
How an Accident Lawyer Can Help
An amusement park accident lawyer can protect your legal rights after an accident. They’ll help you gather evidence and come up with a legal strategy. They’ll also be familiar with Florida’s personal injury laws, which can be complex.
Another reason you may need a lawyer is that the other party will likely try to retaliate. However, they’ll also want to avoid negative publicity. A good personal injury lawyer will be aware of that and help you get the justice you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Compensation to Expect After a Park Accident?
Some high-value amusement park cases have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements. That said, this is far from a hard-and-fast rule. Your compensation will vary greatly based on factors such as:
- Severity of injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Medical costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Are Amusement Park Accidents Common in Florida?
Florida has 175 theme and amusement parks, the most of any U.S. state. The Orlando area alone has:
- Two SeaWorld parks
- Three Universal parks
- Four Disney World parks
Consequently, accidents are relatively common as well.
One recent amusement park accident that made headlines was the tragic death of the 14-year-old Tyre Sampson in 2022. In the aftermath, his family was awarded $310 million in a civil trial, and Florida passed new safety regulations in 2023.
What Keeps You Safe on a Roller Coaster?
Roller coasters keep you safe via a combination of physical safety restraints and electronic safety systems. These systems include features such as automatic emergency brakes and sensors that monitor the ride’s position.
Though you can’t know if electronic systems are working properly, you may be able to notice if there’s something wrong with the physical restraints. Before getting on a ride, pay attention to the condition of:
- Harnesses
- Lap bars
- Seat belts
We Can Help You Protect Your Rights!
Getting into an amusement park accident is always a stressful situation. Still, knowing how to protect your rights can be a big help in helping you get through this period. The above guide is a good starting point!
At Felice Trial Attorneys, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. We’re committed to achieving full and fair justice for all victims of accidents. As Florida’s leading personal injury law firm, we’ve won our clients a total of $295+ million!
We also work on “no win, no fee” agreements, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Get a free case evaluation right now!
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