Now that the warm weather is upon us, many people will be visiting amusement parks, carnivals, boardwalk piers, theme parks, and state fairs. Unfortunately, if the rides or attractions are not maintained or operated properly, it can lead to accidents causing severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, brain bleeds, amputations, spinal cord injuries, vertebral artery dissections or even death.
According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, there were 1,221 ride-related injuries in the United States in 2013. However, the IAAPA only reports injuries that occurred on fixed-site amusement rides found at permanent amusement park attractions like Disney World or the Six Flags parks, so the actual number is far greater.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC recently released a directory of federal amusement ride safety officials assigned to each state to serve as a clearinghouse for safety information involving accidents on non-fixed rides that are frequently seen at state fairs, carnivals and other mobile amusement attractions. The safety officials will transmit ride accident information to state and local officials to help with safety standards regarding traveling amusement rides. Investigations will then be carried out to identify specific attractions that may contain safety issues or defects. They will also serve to provide information concerning deaths and injuries associated with portable amusement rides and attractions.
In addition, there is a non-profit website named www.RideAccidents.com that lists all amusement park and ride accidents. Visitors to the site include amusement ride operators, supervisors, inspectors and maintenance workers whose main tasks are to learn about how an amusement park ride accident happened and what measures can be carried out to help prevent future thrill ride accidents.
Amusement park related accidents can happen due to faulty rides, rides that are not maintained, product defects and impaired or distracted ride operators. But, another way riders can become injured is just by the speed or G-force of the ride itself. Tom Kline, an experienced premise liability attorney, spoke with Fox news regarding speed and roller coaster safety.
The majority of theme park rides are safe and do not cause any injury to the riders. But, if you or a family member was seriously injured due to a defective amusement park attraction in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware or anywhere nationwide, you should contact an experienced amusement park ride injury lawyer as soon as possible for a free consultation.
