Death by Roller Coaster: Startling United States Statistics

The roller coaster accident attorneys at Denena Points, PC remark that the first study of its kind to focus on death by roller coaster in the United States found that of 40 fatalities in the decade studied:

• 29 deaths (73%) occurred among roller coaster patrons. 11 of the 29 patron victims died from external causes like falling or being ejected from the ride in motion. One person waiting in line died after being struck by a passenger in a moving roller coaster. And one died from blunt abdominal trauma when the ride came to a sudden stop.
• Four of the 11 deaths tied to external causes were linked back to mechanical failures like derailments and collisions.
• Three of the 11 fatalities were linked to rider misconduct like disabling safety devices or entering restricted areas.
• Three other deaths resulted from failure of the safety restraint systems like lap bars and shoulder harnesses.
• And one fatal accident was the subject of dispute: was it rider misconduct or failure of the safety restraint system (or did both contribute?).
• 11 of the 40 fatalities from the decade studied (or 28%) happened among ride employees. Of the employees, 7 were stuck by the moving roller coasters, two fell from heights, and two became entangled in moving ride equipment

Our roller coaster accident attorneys note that about half of the roller coaster fatalities resulted from medical conditions. Several medical conditions can be exacerbated by riding a roller coaster, including heart disease and asthma. 18 deaths from medical conditions (including 5 victims aware of pre-existing conditions, two of whom were on anti-coagulants and hemorrhaged) comprised:

8 intracranial hemorrhages,
7 heart conditions,
One asthma attack,
One aortic laceration, and
One unknown.

Recommendations for Preventing Further Horrific Roller Coaster Fatalities

The researchers for the study concluded that prevention of roller coaster deaths relies on:

• Establishing an effective surveillance system for amusement ride injuries;
• Engineering the rides too better protect both riders and employees;
• Improving training and supervision of ride operators with regard to safety precautions; and
• Posting warning notices regarding medical conditions near the rides.

For instance, our roller coaster accident attorneys mention that rides could be designed to automatically shut down (safely, we hope) when a rider releases or disables a safety restraint or when a ride operator leaves the safe operating area. Our roller coaster accident attorneys add that an effective and enforceable system for thorough ride safety inspections in accordance with nationally accepted safety standards on a regular schedule would also be a strong step in the right direction.

The Latest in Roller Coaster Thrills and Chills

Our roller coaster accident attorneys recently read some exciting articles regarding a new and spectacular ride coming to Kings Island amusement park. It sounds daunting and dangerous, but probably incorporates the latest in computerized fail-safes.

As roller coasters become increasingly complex and computerized to offer enhanced thrills, designers and engineers are endeavoring to limit the duration of strong G-forces and massive acceleration to levels that will not trigger existing medical conditions or cause injury in the sensitive human body. But the data they have to work with is limited, and further focused study is needed regarding the role roller coaster forces play in causing problems like fatal intracranial hemorrhages and cardiac difficulties in riders. (Source: Roller coaster related fatalities, United States, 1994–2004 by Pelletier and Gilchrist 11 (5): 309 in the Journal of Injury Prevention)

Learn how to keep your child safe on a roller coaster. Download our FREE report. And feel free to contact our roller coaster accident attorneys if you have questions after a serious ride injury. We’re here to help at 713-807-9500. Or just fill out our online contact form to schedule your free initial legal consultation to discuss the specific facts of your accident and evaluate your potential eligibility for a full financial recovery for your injuries and losses.