Our theme park ride accident lawyers point out that the following list isn’t in order from most common cause to least common. Depending on the source of the information, the priority varies. For instance, the amusement ride industry always says that rider mischief and rider misbehavior are the causes of almost all accidents. Sometimes amusement parks and carnivals will blame ride designers and manufacturers for the flaws that caused an accident. Post-accident investigations and emergency room reports on the other hand tend to prioritize causes like ride tampering, operator error, and mechanical failures.

•  Ride design. All kinds of design flaws might be at fault for an accident, from a design that allows easy access to ride controls, to a top heavy part that could loosen anchoring hardware and collapse under daily ride forces, to poor safety restraint latching mechanisms: all of these design defects have been blamed for ride accidents at one time or another, along with other design flaws.
• Operator error. Disabling safety equipment; starting up a ride while people are loading or unloading; stopping a ride too abruptly; or running a ride too fast could all lead to rider injuries or death.
• Mechanical or technical failures. A glitch in a computer control, a worn part or track, a faulty braking mechanism, an electrical failure, or any other mechanical or technical problem could also affect the safe operation of an amusement ride.
• Rider misbehavior. Standing up in a ride, loosening or wriggling out of safety restraints, or drinking and horsing around could all lead to sudden falls and injuries as rides change direction. The theme park ride accident lawyers at Denena Points, PC remind you to always follow posted ride rules and operator safety announcements.
• Rider medical conditions. The extreme g-forces and accelerations built into rides can trigger aneurysms, hemorrhages, and cardiac arrest among people with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, heart conditions, and other medical issues. In some cases though, the riders may not know they have a weak spot in an artery or blood vessel that could trigger an adverse event.
• Poor maintenance. In the high-speed theme park thrill rides, it’s essential to conduct proper ride inspections and maintenance on an ongoing basis. Broken latch pins or drive chains, worn areas of track, corroded or loosened parts, and other problems must be repaired or parts replaced before the ride is allowed to operate again.
• Ride tampering. Sometimes park guests mess with exposed or accessible controls, not realizing their prank could lead to severe injuries or death. Other times, ride operators or managers might make temporary, unauthorized “repairs” to a ride that compromise safety.

If You’re Injured on a Ride, Get Experienced Legal Help and the Financial Compensation You Deserve

 When you or your loved one has been the victim of a ride accident, you may be entitled to a full financial recovery for your injuries and losses. Don’t let the park tell you that it was your fault. Hire an experienced theme park ride accident lawyer to investigate the true cause. At Denena Points, PC, we’ve been involved in investigating several fatal ride accidents and have successfully negotiated favorable settlements for the victims’ families. We know what to look for, and how to make a strong case on behalf of our clients.

 Contact our experienced theme park ride accident lawyers for a free and confidential legal consultation. You’re under no obligation to hire an attorney. You can reach us anytime through our online contact form, or just dial us direct at 713-807-9500. Put our more than 12 years of experience to work for your benefit!