Common Causes Of Injuries At Amusement Parks

Every year, thousands of people are injured while visiting amusement parks. Knowing the most common causes of these accidents is an important step in prevention and understanding your legal rights if you suffered injuries in an accident at an amusement park.

If you or your child has been injured at an amusement park, contact Emerald Law Group. Contact our Seattle amusement park accident lawyers to start investigating what caused your injuries and determine who can be held liable for your resulting losses and damages, including medical expenses.

Causes of Amusement Park Injuries

While amusement park accidents may not be as common as traffic accidents in our country, many people still get injured at amusement parks. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, about 1,400 people suffer injuries at amusement parks across the United States each year.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of amusement park injuries in the United States.

Unsafe Design of the Ride

The design of a ride can be inherently dangerous, putting riders at risk before they even get on the ride. This could include faulty restraints, lack of guards or bumpers, or other structural flaws that can lead to catastrophic injuries if not addressed. It is critical for amusement parks to ensure they are properly maintaining rides and installing safety features in accordance with industry standards and accepted safety guidelines.

Improper Maintenance

When it comes to staying safe at an amusement park, proper maintenance is key. Rides should be regularly inspected for signs of wear and tear, malfunctioning parts, and any other potential hazards that could put visitors at risk for injury. If improper maintenance has led to an accident or injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Operational Failures

Amusement park employees are required to follow certain safety protocols when operating rides – from ensuring passengers are safely secured before starting a ride to monitoring riders throughout its duration. Failing to adhere to these operational guidelines can put riders at risk for serious injury due to sudden stops, unexpected changes in direction or speed, and more.

Mechanical Failures

Mechanical failures are another leading cause of amusement park accidents and injuries. Malfunctioning components such as restraints that do not open properly, brakes that fail unexpectedly, or electrical problems can all contribute to serious injuries and even death when riding amusement park attractions. It is essential for operators and maintenance staff alike to regularly check all mechanical parts prior to allowing guests onto the ride – failure to do so can result in devastating consequences should something go wrong during the operation.

Misusing Rides

Many accidents occur due to misuse of rides – either by guests who are not following instructions correctly or by operators who do not enforce safety rules such as no standing up during a roller coaster ride or no roughhousing on water slides. When misused as such, amusement park attractions can become hazardous quickly – resulting in scary situations like falls from great heights or collisions with other riders/objects on the ride path. To reduce the risk of these types of accidents occurring it is essential that everyone involved follows instructions carefully when using each attraction.

Get the Legal Counsel You Need

If you or someone you care about has been injured while visiting an amusement park in Seattle or other parts of Washington, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Let our skilled and detail-oriented lawyers at Emerald Law Group investigate your amusement park accident to determine if you have grounds to file a lawsuit and recover damages. Call 206-826-5160 to set up a free consultation.

Source:

iaapa.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/Fixed-Site-Amusement-Ride-Injury-Survey-2019-Update.pdf