Florida amusement parks and theme parks attract millions of visitors each year. The state is a popular tourist destination, but residents also love to visit the parks because of their roller coasters, water parks, entertainment options, shopping, and other attractions.
Roller coasters and amusement parks are generally safe. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries occur more often than news outlets report. Devastating amusement park and roller coaster accidents gain national news attention, but the thousands of injuries that occur annually rarely make the news reports.
Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers have over 25 years of experience serving injured victims and their families in Florida. We have recovered millions of dollars in jury verdicts and personal injury settlements for our clients. As a result of our proven track record and exceptional client service, we have a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo and won its Client Choice Award.
At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we are aggressive trial lawyers and fierce negotiators. We use our considerable resources to pursue claims against the largest amusement parks in Florida. Our legal team in St. Petersburg, Florida, is not intimidated by large corporations or famous names.
Contact our personal injury law firm today at (727) 933 0015 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced St. Petersburg amusement park accident attorney.
How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a Roller Coaster or Amusement Park Accident in St. Petersburg
Thousands of people are treated in emergency rooms each year for amusement park accidents. Many of the injuries are minor. However, some roller coaster and amusement park accidents result in catastrophic injuries and death.
At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we diligently pursue top settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. As a result, numerous organizations recognize our lawyers as top-rated personal injury attorneys, including Expertise.com and The American Trial Lawyers Association. Our legal team consists of knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled legal professionals dedicated to helping you get the money you deserve after an accident or personal injury.
When you hire our top-rated amusement park accident lawyers in St. Petersburg, you can expect us to:
- Provide guidance and legal advice to help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your case
- Investigate your claim to determine how and why you were injured
- Gather physical evidence before the owners can repair, replace, or erase the cause of the accident
- Monitor state and local investigations into the amusement park or roller coaster accident
- Work with experts to gather additional evidence proving your claim
- Identify and document your damages to determine how much your case is worth
- Aggressively negotiate personal injury settlements for the maximum value of your damages
- File a lawsuit and pursue the parties in court if they refuse to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim
Taking on the owner of an amusement park or roller coaster can be daunting. You level the playing field when you hire Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys. You’ll have the full resources of a top-rated St. Petersburg personal injury law firm on your side.
Call today to schedule a free case evaluation with a trusted St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer.
Common Causes of Roller Coaster Accidents/Amusement Park Accidents in Florida
Amusement park and roller coaster accidents happen for many reasons. Common causes of roller coaster and amusement park accidents include:
- Faulty or defective equipment and/or rides
- Negligent operation of a ride or roller coaster
- Mechanical failure
- Improperly assembled rides
- Lack of property training for ride operators
- Operating roller coasters and amusement park rides during dangerous weather conditions
- Operators under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poorly maintained amusement park rides and roller coasters
- Failure to make timely repairs
- Allowing individuals who do not meet the age, height, weight, and other restrictions to get onto the ride or roller coaster
However, rides and roller coasters are not the only dangers people face when visiting an amusement park or theme park. Amusement park accidents and injuries can also be attributed to:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Food poisoning
- Being exposed to dangerous substances
- Poorly maintained premises
- Inadequate security
- Negligent crowd control
- Insufficient lighting
- Failure to warn of risk and danger
- Passenger negligence and misuse
Determining why you were injured at an amusement park or while on a roller coaster is a crucial step in the investigation. The cause of your injury helps determine who is liable for your damages.
Who Is Responsible for a Roller Coaster Accident or Amusement Park Accident in Florida?
Generally, people assume the park’s owner is liable for damages when someone is injured in a roller coaster/amusement park accident. The park owner could indeed be liable.
For example, the owner could be liable if an employee negligently injures a park guest. They may be liable under premise liability laws if dangerous property conditions caused the injury. Additionally, an amusement park/roller coaster owner could be liable under general negligence for failing to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm or injury to someone.
While the park’s owner may be liable in most circumstances, other parties could also be liable for a roller coaster/amusement park accident claim. For example, the park’s management company could be liable for negligence, including failing to post clear warning signs in visible areas.
An engineer, designer, or manufacturer could be liable if a defective roller coaster or ride causes an injury. Also, suppliers could be liable if products utilized for rides, restaurants, or the park contributed to someone’s injuries.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Roller Coaster Accident or Amusement Park Accident in Florida?
The value of your damages depends on many things, including the type and severity of your injuries. Roller coaster/amusement park accident injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Heath attacks
- Internal organ damage
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Severe burns
A roller coaster/amusement park accident claim includes damages related to your financial losses, emotional distress, and physical injuries. You can receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- The cost of your medical treatment and care
- Physical pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Rehabilitative therapy and care
- Household services and personal care
- Decrease in earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impairment and disability
Our St. Petersburg roller coaster accident/amusement park accident lawyers will work closely with you and your medical team to determine the extent of your injuries and damages. We hire expert witnesses to assist in the investigation and valuation of damages, as needed.
What Happens if I’m Partially To Blame for a Florida Roller Coaster/Amusement Park Accident?
Florida now has a modified comparative fault standard for personal injury claims due to a recent change in the law.
If a victim is 50% or more at fault for causing a roller coaster/amusement park injury, the party who caused the injury is not liable for damages. In other words, you would not receive any money for your damages if you are 51% or more to blame for causing your injury.
However, you could receive a portion of the damages award if you are less than 50% at fault. The compensation awarded by the jury for damages is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Being blamed for contributing to the cause of an amusement park injury can significantly reduce the money you receive for damages. It is not in your best interest to give a statement or answer questions about your injury or accident without a lawyer.
Can I Sue a Florida Theme Park or Amusement Park for Injuries?
If you are injured in a roller coaster accident or amusement park accident, the park owner or other parties could be responsible for your injury. You may pursue a lawsuit for claims including, but not limited to, negligence, strict liability, premises liability, vicarious liability, and intentional torts. Family members may have a claim for wrongful death if their loved one died because of an amusement park or roller coaster accident.
As the victim, you have the burden of proving the legal element to establish causation, fault, and liability. The legal requirements vary depending on the type of claim and other factors.
The best way to know if you can sue for a roller coaster/amusement park accident is to talk with a St. Petersburg roller coaster accident/amusement park accident lawyer.
Your time to file a lawsuit for an injury caused by an amusement park or roller coaster accident is limited by Florida’s statute of limitations. Therefore, do not delay seeking legal advice, or you could lose your right to pursue a claim in court.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Petersburg Roller Amusement Park Accident Lawyers
Amusement parks and the owners of roller coasters have unlimited resources to fight claims. They hide behind massive insurance companies and corporate law firms to avoid liability for their negligence and wrongdoing. At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we stand up to these parties to hold them liable for the harm they caused.
Call our law office today to request your free case review from an experienced St. Petersburg amusement park accident lawyer. Let us help you get the justice you deserve.
