Amusement park thrill rides can pose a dangerous hazard to America’s thrill seekers. While people actively seek out the scariest, fastest, and most complicated rides available throughout the country, many people forget the possibility that something can go seriously wrong with these machines. While the chances of getting into an accident on an amusement park ride are relatively slim, they can still occur and have devastating impacts on the victims.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that data involving amusement park safety can be severely limited and regulations are inconsistent from amusement park to an amusement park. While more established parks may have more stringent regulations, local fairs and smaller parks may have less regulated rides.
According to an annual survey by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and the National Safety Council, many injuries occur each year.
These injuries factor out to about 4.8 injuries per one million people in attendance. While the chances of sustaining injuries on a thrill ride can be very small, these accidents are quite devastating when serious.
According to the IAAPA, amusement parks value safety over any other priority. As a result, various agencies govern various safety standards. However, the IAAPA asserts that states regulate amusement park safety in only 44 out of 50 states. The states without amusement park oversight include Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah.
No central oversight body oversees amusement park regulation. Florida is a state with a high number of amusement parks, and several major parks are exempt from the Department of Agriculture’s oversight. These parks include Disney World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens.
The ridesdatabase.org provides oversight for amusement park rides aside from the three major exempt parks.
These requirements can leave serious gaps in oversight when it comes to safety on amusement park rides. Thankfully, the chances of amusement park accidents occurring are quite slim. Parks usually have strict safety regulations to maintain their image, as no one would want to visit a park with a bad safety record. However, when accidents do occur, the consequences can be absolutely devastating.
In 2018, two riders fell 34 feet and several others suffered injuries after a Daytona Beach rollercoaster derailed. Another accident at Universal Studios in Orlando led to a Guatemalan guest’s death on the King Kong ride after he suffered a heart attack and died. Later, the family sued Universal for not providing Spanish translated health and safety instructions for the intense thrill ride.
Amusement park accidents can lead to especially dangerous consequences, from broken bones and fractures to cardiovascular incidents to traumatic concussions from thrill rides.
If you suffer injuries due to an amusement park accident in Florida, help is available. You can file a personal injury lawsuit to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional trauma, and other damages. Contact a Florida theme park accident attorney as soon as possible to learn about your legal options.
