Spring means plenty of outdoor fun and that includes amusement parks. Many of our nearby attractions are gearing up for their 2017 openings.
When you visit an amusement park you imagine coming home happy, tired and a little sunburned. What you don’t plan on is getting injured. Unfortunately, there are far too many amusement park accidents that result in injuries ranging from bruises and scrapes to fractures, whiplash and brain injuries.
To increase the thrills, many rides are rough with abrupt stops and excessive speeds. Sudden accelerations and side-to-side motion are popular. Inevitably, many ride patrons’ knees, heads and elbows come into violent contact with the interior of the cars as well as the seatbelts and straps.
Common Causes of Accidents in Amusement Parks
Many amusement park ride accidents are caused by negligence including:
- Owner error or negligence
- Lack of adequate safety warnings
- Poor maintenance
- Ride malfunction
- Breakdown of safety restraints
Other causes are out of the ride operators’ hands including weather conditions and patron roughhousing while on the ride.
In the absence of federal oversight for amusement park safety standards, each state is responsible for inspections and equipment standards, and there are some local ordinances as well. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is responsible for some amusement park oversight in our state, including issuing any necessary permits.
If you are injured at a fixed amusement park or one that is temporary such as a carnival, your injury may be due to someone’s negligence. This area of the law is called premises liability and, in addition to amusement park accidents, also includes slip and falls, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, escalators and elevator accidents and many others.
Common Sense Safety Guidelines Can Reduce the Risk of Amusement Park Injury
The Sevenish Law Firm urges you to follow these safe riding tips:
- Follow posted weight and height rules – but if you feel the ride will be too much for your child, move on.
- Use lap bars or seat belts properly.
- Always follow operator instructions including when to stand up and exit the ride.
- Stay seated and keep legs, heads and arms inside the car.
- Tie back long hair and avoid wearing long skirts.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages.
When you arrive at the park, find a family meeting place that is easily located and make sure your children understand what to do if they get lost.
Read more amusement ride safety tips from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Let Us Know if You Have Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property
If you or a family member has been injured in an amusement park accident or any other accident on someone else’s premises, or by any type of personal injury, please contact our Indianapolis law firm immediately. Our experienced attorneys will fight for the compensation that you deserve. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorney Randall Sevenish, personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at 800-278-9200.
