Pre-Settlement Funding: Amusement Park Injury Lawsuit
A day at the amusement park is meant to be a fun experience for all ages. Nobody ever expects that they will be injured on a ride or an attraction; after all, patrons expect that the amusement parks they visit are well-maintained and won’t cause them any harm. While this is true for the most part, unfortunately, these accidents do happen. Many people are actually surprised to hear just how frequently they do happen, as it is not something we typically hear about often. However, the numbers are alarming, and those injured as a result of amusement park rides are often changed forever. Their injuries are often serious, which can be life-altering and permanent. Depending on the severity of the accident, the individual(s) on the ride may be fatally injured. Losing a loved one as a result of an amusement park injury is a tragic and senseless loss, as this is usually the type of accident that could have been prevented.
Amusement park rides are generally divided into two different categories: mobile ride accidents and fixed-site ride accidents. Fixed-site rides are usually what is found at year-round theme parks and amusement parks that don’t move or change locations. Highly-skilled ride architects will typically design and build these rides, and rather than constantly being disassembled and reassembled in new locations, they remain where they are once they are built. They are also typically maintained on a frequent basis to ensure they are running as they should.
Rides at street fairs and carnivals, on the other hand, are classified as mobile rides. These portable rides are constantly on the go because these types of carnivals are not permanent and are frequently changing locations. Not only are they constantly taken down and then reassembled in new locations whenever the carnival moves to the next town, but ride operators at these types of amusement parks are often not as skilled as those working in larger theme parks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reported that mobile rides alone resulted in 3,990 injuries in just one recent year alone, with several deaths over a 13-year report. The commission also notes that inflatable rides and attractions, such as bounce houses, are on the rise. Overall, numbers also show that the majority of accident victims (88.2 percent) involved children under 15-years-old.
Examples of amusement park injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Scrapes
- Head trauma
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Drowning on water rides
- Whiplash
- Bruises
- Death
There are a number of reasons that amusement park injuries may occur. A ride could have flaws in its design and simply be unsafe, and it’s only a matter of time before an accident happens. Other times, a ride may have been safely built and is structurally sound, but the amusement park failed to properly maintain that ride. Without adequate maintenance, something significant can go unnoticed, ultimately resulting in an accident. In other cases of amusement park injuries, the ride itself may be operating perfectly fine, but the individual operating the ride may have been neglectful. He or she may have been distracted, under the influence, or could have simply made a bad judgment call. No matter the reason, these accidents are simply unacceptable.
Amusement park accidents often result from the following types of rides:
- Roller coasters
- Ferris wheels
- Sleighs
- Trains
- Water rides
- Whirling rides
Although amusement park injuries typically result from accidents on rides, they are not just limited to rides, either. Amusement park injuries can also encompass a wide range of incidents; for example, if you slip and fall at an amusement park, and you are injured as a result, that amusement park may be found liable for your accident. Generally speaking, amusement parks can include everything from small street fairs to carnivals, to larger amusement parks and water parks. Even some of the big-name theme parks in the world, while likely more inclined to follow safety regulations, can still be a source of amusement park injuries and accidents.
If you or a loved one was harmed at an amusement park, you may be working with a personal injury lawyer on a claim for monetary compensation. As you wait for your case to settle, you may have the option to receive money upfront through a lawsuit advance. This can be worth exploring if you need money to take care of bills and expenses, but you’re still at the early stages of your lawsuit. After all, the timeline for an accident lawsuit can sometimes be lengthy and unpredictable.
USClaims typicallyy receives money when and if your case settles; if your case does not settle for any reason, you typically are not obligated to repay the money you received from USClaims. Contact USClaims today to learn more about the pre-settlement funding process and to find out if your case is eligible.
