Amusement Parks and Roller Coaster Accidents
Summertime means county fairs, amusement parks, thrill rides, and more. As fun as these places can be, they can also lead to injuries through no fault of your own. It’s something important to keep in mind if you’re headed to an amusement park for a vacation this summer, whether the park is located in Dallas, TX or elsewhere. Amusement park accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, ones that can prove fatal.
The team at the Ramey Law Firm would like to consider some facts and figures about amusement park and rollercoaster accidents. Attorney Hardin R. Ramey can help you if your family has suffered through an incident at a fun park.
Statistics on Amusement Park and Rollercoaster Injuries
According to a 2017 report from CNN, there were an estimated 30,000 emergency room visits in 2016 as a result of amusement park injuries.
Figures at the Saferparks Database record more than 30 amusement park injury accidents in Texas during 2016, though the actual numbers are much higher given the limited data set. Still, of this number, 11 were injuries on rollercoasters of various kinds.
Incidents at Six Flags Amusement Parks in Texas
Six Flags is one of the biggest names in amusement parks in the United States. They operate two amusement parks and one water park in Texas. Wikipedia has a list of accidents at numerous Six Flags parks. Let’s look at a few accidents at the two Six Flags amusement park locations that are based in this state.
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington
- In July 2018 and in May 2017, passengers on The Joker were stuck on the tracks because the rollercoaster stalled out
- In July 2013, a woman fell to her death on the New Texas Giant because her safety restraints were not properly in place
Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio
- In June 2007, a girl was paralyzed while riding the Poltergeist rollercoaster, falling between the cars to the concrete just 10 feet below the platform
Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park
Though Six Flags Over Texas is based in Arlington, Zero Gravity Thill Amusement Park is another place with potentially dangerous rides, and it’s based in Dallas. Founded in 1992, Zero Gravity features a handful of high-velocity rides, including a bungee jump platform, the suspended swinging ride known as the Skycoaster (which reaches 60 miles per hour), and the Texas Blastoff (which rockets riders into the air at 70 miles per hour).
While the safety guidelines at Zero Gravity are relatively stringent, there are a few online reviews at Yelp and Trip Advisor that note the rides can be rough. Some of these reviews note headaches and other lasting injuries in the days after visiting the park.
Types of Injuries Sustained
The types of injuries sustained in an amusement park accident can vary. Here are the types of injuries recorded in Texas during 2016 via the Saferparks Database:
- Concussions
- Head trauma
- Neck injuries
- Fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Knee pain
- Stomach pain
- Sprains
- Chipped teeth
Causes of Amusement Park Injuries
The causes of amusement park and rollercoaster injuries can vary. They generally involve negligence by park employees, particularly the people who operate the rides and check the harnesses and safety restraints on patrons. There may also be issues with park maintenance and upkeep, causing thrilling and safe rides to become dangerous, rickety, and hazardous for all riders.
Whatever the case may be, it’s crucial that the people running the amusement park be held accountable for any preventable harm they cause to visitors and their families.
Contact a Skilled Injury Accident Lawyer
If you live in the Dallas area and have experienced an injury at an amusement park, we encourage you to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer. The team at Ramey Law Firm is here to listen. You can reach us by phone at (972) 437-5577.
