Columbia Amusement Park Accident Attorney

Amusement Park & Water Park Accidents in South Carolina

Amusement parks and water parks are fun for both children and adults. From annual State Fairs in Columbia or Raleigh to Carowinds in Charlotte and Family Kingdom in Myrtle Beach, there are a variety of attractions all over South Carolina. However, there are plenty of potential dangers associated with amusement parks that can result in serious and fatal injuries.

If you have been injured in an amusement park or water park accident in Columbia or Lexington, look no further than the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC to protect your rights and best interests from start to finish. We are committed to helping you pursue a personal injury lawsuit and maximize your entitled compensation.

Call (803) 359-3301 or complete our online contact form to request a free case review.

Common Causes of Theme Park Accidents

Tragic amusement park accidents have happened in South Carolina and all over the United States. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 30,000 injuries linked to amusement parks that resulted in emergency room visits in 2016.

The following are some of the most common causes of amusement park accidents:

• Improper ride operation – Ride operators are responsible for ensuring the ride is in working order and all types of safety equipment—such as lap bars and seat belts—are working properly. If an operator stops the ride abruptly or incorrectly latches a seatbelt, the amusement park could be held liable for any injuries.
• Mechanical failure of the ride – Mechanical failures often occur due to a manufacturing defect or lack of ride maintenance. Common examples of mechanical failures at theme parks include detaching lap bars, detaching roller coaster cars, or when a structural component breaks.
• Inherent dangers associated with the ride – Sometimes, rides are just plain dangerous, which is why many of them contain warnings that might cause injury or aggravate a pre-existing condition. For example, rides associated with extremely rapid spinning may cause loss of consciousness, dizziness, headache, and even cerebral and retinal hemorrhage.
• Passenger misuse – Passengers may be at fault for their own injuries if they fail to follow the instructions and heed warnings associated with certain rides. Common examples of passenger misconduct include standing up mid-ride, sitting improperly, unlatching safety restraints, or intentionally rocking a car.

Common types of theme park injuries include:

• Head and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken or fractured bones
• Torn ligaments
• Cuts and lacerations
• Drowning
• Death

Who is Responsible for Regulating Amusement Park Rides?

Although the CPSC regulates “mobile amusement park rides,” states are left to regulate “fixed-location” rides and amusements. A fixed-site ride is considered a permanent fixture and does not travel from one location to another, while mobile rides travel to different locations, like rides in carnivals and county fairs.

In South Carolina, the Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides are responsible for ride safety inspections at fixed-site parks. Otherwise, park owners and operators are responsible for maintaining the grounds, training ride operators and staff members, conducting inspections on rides, and making the necessary repairs.

Ready to Help You Today!

Since theme parks have a significant amount of financial resources, filing a lawsuit against corporations can be very costly for amusement park accident victims. Fortunately, our firm is not afraid to go up against big businesses to help regular people, just like you. We are ready to fight for you in every step of the legal process to get the best possible outcome in your case. 

Contact us today at (803) 359-3301 to speak with our Columbia amusement park accident lawyers.