Did you know that over 30,000 injuries occur at amusement parks every year? There are a variety of causes that can contribute to a theme park accident.
In some cases, negligence and improper maintenance play a critical role. In others, there is an element of chance.
Continue reading to learn more about theme park injury causes in Orlando.
Orlando, Florida is home to some of the most recognized and beloved amusement parks in the country. Beginning in the early 1970s, the city has become an immensely popular tourist destination. Millions of guests visit Orlando theme parks every year and these parks are designed with this capacity in mind.
Popular destinations include Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. Many of the theme park resorts in Orlando offer multiple parks including water parks.
Universal Orlando Resort is home to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Walt Disney World Resort features Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. It additionally has two water parks: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach.
As highlighted, there are multiple factors that can contribute to an accident. Below, a few of the central causes of accidents will be discussed in greater detail.
Many reported injuries over the years have been caused by ride attendee or operator negligence. This refers to when an operator does not do a proper safety check before starting the ride experience for guests.
An operator may negligently determine all guests are safely in the ride vehicle, when in fact they are not. An attendee may stop or start a ride prematurely. As an example, there have been multiple cases that revolve around individuals getting their feet stuck at loading platforms.
Rides are controlled by machinery and in many cases, computers. Routine maintenance is essential to ensure rides are working properly.
Even a small issue with a ride's machinery can result in serious accidents. As an example, if a roller coaster is not properly maintained, inconsistencies in the ride can occur and result in injury.
Some accidents and/or injuries may occur because a park's security team is negligent. When physical violence is not properly controlled, injuries are inevitable. Theme park security is trained to handle such situations, but not all officers may be compliant with protocol.
Guest negligence is also a common cause of accidents. A guest may choose to not follow attendee instructions and unfortunately harm themselves due to their reckless behavior. Additionally, guests may throw trash on the ground and thus cause a slip or fall.
Not all accidents are caused by negligence or maintenance issues. Some may occur by chance. While not common, issues can arise because a guest is unfortunately at the right place at the right time.
At VG Law Group, we understand that theme park accidents can be scary. Visiting an amusement park is meant to be a fun and enjoyable experience. An injury or accident is the last thing you would expect.
Our team is dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve if a park was at fault for your accident. We invite you to contact a member of our team today to learn more.
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