Injuries That May Occur at an Amusement Park

As much as we would like to believe that amusement parks and rides are 100% safe, that isn’t the case. It doesn’t matter how many staff members the park has or how great the management team is. There is always something that can go wrong, and unfortunately sometimes things do go wrong.

 

What are the most common ways to be injured at an amusement park?

  • Injury on a ride due to a malfunction
  • Tripping on cracked or broken pavement
  • Slipping on something that has been spilled (food or drink)

What are the most common types of injuries sustained from one of these incidents?

  • Neck and back injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Torn ligaments
  • Death 

What You Should Do If You Are Injured at an Amusement Park

If you have experienced an injury while at an amusement park, whether on a ride, somewhere else inside the park, or in the parking lot, you will be entitled to compensation if your injuries were the result of negligence on the part of the park and its employees. You’ll need to get together as much information as you can and provide solid evidence to prove that the park’s negligence caused your accident:

  • Immediately report your injury, but don’t leave the scene. If you were injured on a ride, tell the operator what happened and ask for help. If you were injured by broken concrete or slipping on food or drink, have someone grab an employee for you.
  • Talk to people around you and ask if they saw the accident when it happened. Try to make sure they’ll be willing to confirm what happened and ask for their names and phone numbers.
  • Take pictures, videos—anything you can to strengthen your case. Get as much visual evidence as you safely can.
  • Make sure you visit a doctor and follow all treatment recommendations. 
  • Get copies of all the records, bills, and expense receipts related to your injury. You should also get some documentation to prove you were out of work if you had to miss work for appointments or recovery time.

How an Attorney Can Help Your Amusement Park Injury Case

A personal injury lawyer will know exactly what to do to counter arguments by the amusement park and its insurance company about how the incident was not their fault. The attorney will be able to show what really happened, bring in witnesses, and determine which parties are responsible for your injuries. (This can be very tricky. It could include the ride manufacturer if the injury was caused by a ride malfunction.) 

There is too much risk in trying to pursue a case like this by yourself, so you should seek professional help.