Posted by The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic in Personal Injury
Visiting an amusement park can be a thrilling experience for people of all ages. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer the tamer rides or you are an all-out roller coaster and extreme thrill-ride enthusiast, most Florida amusement parks will have something you will enjoy.
An estimated 324.1 million people visited amusement parks during a single recent year, resulting in a ridership of approximately 1.51 billion. While these numbers indicate a significant rise in attendance over previous years, there are certain dangers and risks that amusement park visitors should be aware of. According to the National Safety Council, more than 1,400 ride-related injuries are sustained in a typical year.
The following amusement rides are considered to be the most dangerous, according to data compiled by The Daily Beast:
Steel Roller Coasters Steel roller coasters are considered to be the most dangerous type of amusement ride. An estimated 495 incidents involving roller coasters occurred during one year, some resulting in serious injury or death.
Water Slides
Many amusement parks here in Florida, as well as throughout the United States, have water parks that have been added either in the park or nearby. While waterslides at these parks are a lot of fun, this type of amusement poses serious risks. An estimated 438 injury-related incidents occurred on waterslides in the U.S.
Boat Rides
Boat rides are a refreshing amusement park ride, particularly on hot summer days. These types of rides can also be extremely dangerous, as many do not have any type of safety bar or seat belts to keep riders secure. There were an estimated 93 incidents involving boat rides.
Wooden Roller Coasters
The fourth most dangerous amusement park ride is considered to be the wooden roller coaster. An estimated 87 injury-related incidents occurred on this type of ride.
Playgrounds at Water Parks
The number of serious or fatal incidents at U.S. waterpark playgrounds was estimated at 84.
Alpine Slides
Alpine slides are a type of ride that allows riders to travel on a sled along a downhill chute or track at significant speed. In most cases, riders are not strapped in nor are they wearing any type of protective headgear. An estimated 72 incidents occurred on this type of ride.
Car Rides
Many amusement parks have car rides where guests can enjoy driving around on a controlled track. While most of these rides limit the cars’ speed, there were still approximately 72 incidents on car rides.
Flumes
Log flumes are one of the more popular rides at amusement parks. These rides also pose quite a risk due to the fact that there are usually no safety belts or lap bars in the hollowed-out logs or boats to protect riders as they plunge down the water flume. There were an estimated 72 incidents involving flume rides.
Slides
Slides are sometimes considered to be one of the more traditional and safe rides at amusement parks. While countless park-goers have probably ridden these types of rides over the years, injuries and deaths can occur, particularly when safety precautions are not stringently enforced. An estimated 69 incidents occurred on slides.
Carousels
The carousel or merry-go-round is generally not one of the amusement park rides most people would consider dangerous. However, there were an estimated 60 incidents involving carousels.
Rafting Rides
Similar to log flumes and boat rides, rafting rides involve water and movement, but often lack safety bars, seat belts or other restraints. An estimated 60 injury-related incidents occurred on these rides.
Train Rides
Train rides at amusement parks caused an estimated 57 injury incidents.
Rides Operating in the Dark
Some amusement parks have rides that are operated in the dark to thrill or scare park-goers and leave them wondering what comes next. While the speed vehicles travel on this type of ride varies, being unable to see where you are going may cause riders to be uncomfortable or fearful. Injury-related incidents from rides operating in the dark were estimated at 54.
Go-Karts
While go-karts at amusement parks are often a very fast-paced type of ride, one of the benefits is that riders are often required to wear a helmet. If helmets are not required, the risk of injury increases exponentially. There were approximately 51 incidents involving go-karts.
Simulators
Simulators are the 15th most dangerous type of amusement park ride. This type of ride was responsible for causing an estimated 51 injury-related incidents.
Common Types of Injuries from Amusement Park Rides
Some of the most common types of amusement park ride injuries include:
Whiplash.
Lacerations and bruises.
Broken bones.
Torn ligaments.
Drowning or near-drowning.
Stroke, as a result of neck injuries or other types of trauma.
Death, often as a result of a fall from a height or after being thrown from a ride.
Not all amusement park rides are equally dangerous, but even milder rides are capable of causing serious injury or death. The NSC estimates that 54 percent of all amusement ride injuries occur on family and adult rides, while roller coasters accounted for 38.2 percent and 7.7 percent were attributed to children’s rides.
Responsibility for Injuries Sustained on Rides
Park owners, operators and staff have a responsibility to visitors to properly maintain the park and keep it reasonably safe. When a failure to do so results in severe injury or death, the park could be held liable for its negligence. This is called premises liability.
If you sustain injuries on an amusement park ride, particularly if you have reason to believe the incident was caused by negligence on the part of the park’s owners or staff, consulting with an attorney could dramatically improve your chances of recovering financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
An estimated 324.1 million people visited amusement parks during a single recent year, resulting in a ridership of approximately 1.51 billion. While these numbers indicate a significant rise in attendance over previous years, there are certain dangers and risks that amusement park visitors should be aware of. According to the National Safety Council, more than 1,400 ride-related injuries are sustained in a typical year.
The following amusement rides are considered to be the most dangerous, according to data compiled by The Daily Beast:
Many amusement parks here in Florida, as well as throughout the United States, have water parks that have been added either in the park or nearby. While waterslides at these parks are a lot of fun, this type of amusement poses serious risks. An estimated 438 injury-related incidents occurred on waterslides in the U.S.
Boat rides are a refreshing amusement park ride, particularly on hot summer days. These types of rides can also be extremely dangerous, as many do not have any type of safety bar or seat belts to keep riders secure. There were an estimated 93 incidents involving boat rides.
The fourth most dangerous amusement park ride is considered to be the wooden roller coaster. An estimated 87 injury-related incidents occurred on this type of ride.
The number of serious or fatal incidents at U.S. waterpark playgrounds was estimated at 84.
Alpine slides are a type of ride that allows riders to travel on a sled along a downhill chute or track at significant speed. In most cases, riders are not strapped in nor are they wearing any type of protective headgear. An estimated 72 incidents occurred on this type of ride.
Many amusement parks have car rides where guests can enjoy driving around on a controlled track. While most of these rides limit the cars’ speed, there were still approximately 72 incidents on car rides.
Log flumes are one of the more popular rides at amusement parks. These rides also pose quite a risk due to the fact that there are usually no safety belts or lap bars in the hollowed-out logs or boats to protect riders as they plunge down the water flume. There were an estimated 72 incidents involving flume rides.
Slides are sometimes considered to be one of the more traditional and safe rides at amusement parks. While countless park-goers have probably ridden these types of rides over the years, injuries and deaths can occur, particularly when safety precautions are not stringently enforced. An estimated 69 incidents occurred on slides.
The carousel or merry-go-round is generally not one of the amusement park rides most people would consider dangerous. However, there were an estimated 60 incidents involving carousels.
Similar to log flumes and boat rides, rafting rides involve water and movement, but often lack safety bars, seat belts or other restraints. An estimated 60 injury-related incidents occurred on these rides.
Train rides at amusement parks caused an estimated 57 injury incidents.
Some amusement parks have rides that are operated in the dark to thrill or scare park-goers and leave them wondering what comes next. While the speed vehicles travel on this type of ride varies, being unable to see where you are going may cause riders to be uncomfortable or fearful. Injury-related incidents from rides operating in the dark were estimated at 54.
While go-karts at amusement parks are often a very fast-paced type of ride, one of the benefits is that riders are often required to wear a helmet. If helmets are not required, the risk of injury increases exponentially. There were approximately 51 incidents involving go-karts.
Simulators are the 15th most dangerous type of amusement park ride. This type of ride was responsible for causing an estimated 51 injury-related incidents.
Common Types of Injuries from Amusement Park Rides
Some of the most common types of amusement park ride injuries include:
Not all amusement park rides are equally dangerous, but even milder rides are capable of causing serious injury or death. The NSC estimates that 54 percent of all amusement ride injuries occur on family and adult rides, while roller coasters accounted for 38.2 percent and 7.7 percent were attributed to children’s rides.
Responsibility for Injuries Sustained on Rides
If you sustain injuries on an amusement park ride, particularly if you have reason to believe the incident was caused by negligence on the part of the park’s owners or staff, consulting with an attorney could dramatically improve your chances of recovering financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
Sources: