When Accidents Happen at Amusement Parks

Residents of Chicago are in close proximity to several amusement parks, such as Six Flags Great America, Pirates’ Cove, Santa’s Village, Safari Land, and many others. Parents frequently take advantage of spending time with their families at these amusement parks, especially during the warmer months.

However, when a day of food, rides, and thrill turns into a nightmare because of an amusement park accident, you may be lost and confused about what to do or where to get the help you need. If you or your child suffered a personal injury at an amusement park, please get in touch with our legal team to learn how we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and recover compensation as soon as possible.

What are common accidents that occur at amusement parks?

Many people go to amusement parks to create memories, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the rides. The rides usually involve high speeds, steep inclines, sharp twists and turns, and jolting and shaking movements. If one mistake or error is made, it can cause a dangerous, life-threatening, or even deadly accident within seconds. The following are a few of the most common accidents that occur at amusement parks:

• Ejections
• Deadly falls from rides
• Drownings on water slides and rides
• Collisions on rides
• Slip and fall accidents

The most common injuries that occur at amusement parks are traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, broken or fractured bones, sprains and strains, spinal cord injuries, cuts and lacerations, organ damage, and death. In July 2023, a young boy was ejected from a ride at a carnival about 60 miles from Chicago. His seat belt system was not properly secured, which caused him to be thrown from the ride and land on the pavement.

What usually causes amusement park accidents?

Amusement park accidents are usually caused by someone’s negligence. Therefore, when you consult with an attorney about this type of accident, they will usually conduct an investigation and determine who is at fault for your accident. Here are some of the causes of amusement park accidents:

• Ride operator mistakes
• Mechanical issues
• Design defects
• Park management errors
• Inadequate lighting, safety precautions, and maintenance
• Lack of supervision and training

How often do amusement park accidents occur?

According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), there were 1,281 ride-related injuries at amusement parks across the country in 2021. The IAAPA also mentions on its website that “the chance of being seriously injured on a fixed-site ride at a U.S. amusement park is one in 15.5 million rides taken.” While the IAAPA states that amusement rides in the United States are safe, they also agree that one ride-related injury is too many.

What steps should I take if I am injured at an amusement park?

If you are injured at an amusement park, there are certain steps you should take, such as:

• Seek medical treatment immediately: After an amusement park accident, it is crucial to seek medical treatment right away. There may be an on-site doctor who you can speak to about your injuries, or you may need to call for an ambulance. Even if you think your injuries are minor, you should get checked out by a licensed medical provider to rule out any hidden injuries that may not be showing any symptoms yet.
• Report the accident: You should report the accident to the amusement park management team as soon as possible. You want them to know what happened and take the appropriate measures to ensure that it does not happen to anyone else. You can also inform law enforcement about the accident.
• Gather evidence: If possible, you should take photos and videos of the ride or area where you were hurt, your injuries, and anything else you think could be beneficial. After you receive medical treatment, you should gather all evidence to prove what happened. This may be photos, videos, medical records, receipts, accident reports, and more.
• Locate eyewitnesses: With so many people around, there is a good chance that someone saw your accident occur. Therefore, if possible, you should try to locate eyewitnesses and exchange contact information. This can be difficult to do if you leave the scene of the accident without seeing if anyone was around. However, there may be surveillance footage available to help you possibly identify eyewitnesses who were close to your accident site.
• Hire a Chicago personal injury lawyer: A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you collect valuable evidence, communicate with insurance adjusters, identify and find witnesses, and prove that another party’s reckless and careless actions caused your accident. These types of accident cases can quickly become complex, but a skilled attorney will do whatever it takes to help you obtain the best results possible for your case.

If you were hurt at an amusement park, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers are available and ready to assist you. We investigate your accident, help you determine who is responsible, and stand up and fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries and other losses. We know that these types of accidents usually result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and we believe negligent ride operators, manufacturers, engineers, and park owners should be held accountable for all the losses they cause. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case review at our office today.