Jason Stephens | November 26, 2024 | Personal Injury
Roller coasters are supposed to be fun amusement park rides that you can enjoy with your family members or friends. However, while they’re generally safe, these rides can (albeit rarely) malfunction and cause serious injuries.
You may have heard a few horror stories in the news and wonder what your chances are of having the same type of experience. Discover what studies and statistics have to say about the possibility of you being a victim of a roller coaster injury or fatality and why you should contact a personal injury lawyer if that nightmare ever becomes a reality.
Your Chances of Injury or Death on a Roller Coaster
According to data from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), there were estimated to be over 1,200 ride-related injuries in 2021. The same organization calculates your chances of sustaining a serious injury during a fixed-site amusement park ride (like a roller coaster) to be one in 15.5 million rides.
This makes sustaining an injury on a roller coaster less likely than getting injured from an accidental weapon discharge, a dog attack, or a lightning strike.
However, these numbers do not represent the full scope of your risk. Of the 641 U.S. amusement parks registered in 2023, only about 400 of them are IAAPA members. Furthermore, amusement parks are not required to report incident data.
Therefore, the full reality of roller coaster incidents may be severely misrepresented. The numbers — and the possibility of someone sustaining an injury on a ride — could possibly be much higher.
Common Roller Coaster Injuries
According to the IAAPA’s data, 11% to 13% of amusement park ride injuries are serious, requiring a hospital stay or resulting in death. The remaining 87% to 89% of injuries require medical treatment beyond mere first aid.
The most common consequences of roller coaster rides include fainting, nausea, and dizziness.
However, other types of injuries have occurred on these rides, including:
- Lacerations
- Falls
- Head trauma
- Crushing injuries
- Back and neck trauma
The IAAPA reports that most of these injuries occur during motion, while a smaller percentage happens when a person is getting in or out of the ride.
Staying Safe When Riding Amusement Park Attractions
If you’re riding the rides at an amusement park, you should always do the following:
- Avoid entering or exiting a moving ride
- Obey all signage related to height, weight, and age requirements
- Heed any warnings about riders with pre-existing health conditions
- Secure any loose items you are carrying, including those in your pocket
- Keep your arms and legs inside the seating area
- Keep seat belts and restraints where they should be at all times
- Avoid rides if you are intoxicated or otherwise impaired
Amusement parks must maintain working equipment and advise you on certain safety guidelines, but you have a duty to act responsibly when enjoying your favorite ride.
Handling an Unexpected Roller Coaster Injury
It’s reasonable to assume that the amusement park has done its part to maintain its rides, update any signage, and properly train its operators. If the park staff has been neglectful in these duties and you sustain a serious injury, you may have cause to bring forth a lawsuit.
However, it’s a good idea to get a lawyer involved if you plan to do so. It will likely take a good attorney with robust knowledge of personal injury law to prove a park’s negligence. With the help of a lawyer, you’ll have someone on your side fighting for your rights as you recover from your injury.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth and Weatherford personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 406
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents – Weatherford Office
109 York Ave Suite #201
Weatherford, TX 76086
(817) 409-7000