Roller Coaster Injuries

In July 2014 a Los Angeles, CA fire department was called to Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park after a tree branch fell on a rollercoaster, derailing the coaster and leaving its occupants stranded for hours. According to CNN, The Ninja ride held 22 passengers of which four sustained injuries and two went to the hospital. The front part of the coaster detached from the track and dangled at a 45-degree angle, while 20 feet in the air. (KTLA News) Rescue workers climbed atop the track and used a rope to tie the front of the car to the track above. By nightfall, all 22 passengers had been rescued.

With summer in full swing, amusement parks are at full capacity almost every day. As fun as these adventurous places can be, this accident reminds RI personal injury lawyers of their risks. Between 1990 and 2010, more than 92,000 children were injured in amusement ride-related incidents, according to a study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio. That’s an average of more than 4,000 injuries annually. Serious injuries stemmed from amusement park rides include deadly falls, carotid artery dissection (CAD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), all which can lead to stroke or paralysis. As there is no federal law governing amusement park rides, and only some states regulate these attractions, personal injury lawyers keep apprised of amusement ride-related accidents to help protect public safety.