If you’re a fan of amusement parks, there are some great options in and around Austin, Texas. From Austin’s Park n’ Pizza and the Mighty Thomas Carnival to the Typhoon Texas Waterpark, individuals and families have great choices for weekend and summer fun. Unfortunately, some of these outings end in injury and even death.
According to data published by Saferparks Database, there have been nearly 1,400 amusement park accident injuries in Texas between 1987 and 2017. More recently, the Texas Department of Insurance has reported over 150 injuries at state parks between 2020 and 2022.
It can be costly to sue a theme park since they have the resources to fight back. The Austin amusement park accident attorneys at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS have the experience, resources, and skill to challenge these large corporations and get you the best settlement possible. To speak to a personal injury lawyer in Austin, TX, call (512) 800-0000.
The potential for serious injuries or death in an amusement park is high due to the variety of accidents that can take place. Potential hazards include:
When an amusement park injury is caused by negligence or wrongdoing, one or more parties may be held liable. If you’ve been seriously hurt or lost someone you love, contact an Austin amusement park accident attorney who can investigate your accident, identify all parties who may be at fault, and pursue the financial compensation you need to recover.
If you or a loved one were injured while at an amusement park, call the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, at (512) 800-0000 or contact us online.
With fast rides and dizzying heights, amusement parks can be dangerous places when the equipment isn’t properly maintained or the staff aren’t conscious of safety protocols. Commonly-reported injuries include:
These injuries can arise during and after rides on roller coasters, Ferris wheels, bumper cars, and waterslides. In some cases, negligent security can lead to assault-related injuries while poorly-designed parking lots have resulted in more than one car accident. If this happens to you, an Austin amusement park accident attorney can help you hold the park accountable for paying your damages, which may include:
Amusement park victims often have a long recovery process. Medical bills associated with these injuries can be quite high, and if you’re unable to work, it adds financial stress to everything else you’re experiencing. Therefore, any injured individual should seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney right away.
An experienced Austin amusement park accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve by collecting the necessary evidence and identifying the right strategy. They can work with accident investigators and medical experts to build the strongest case possible. Additionally, they will be able to negotiate with the park’s insurance company, which may attempt to deny or minimize your compensation. Simply put, they’ll be your strongest advocate while you heal.
Yes, it’s possible. Although many amusement parks require their patrons to sign a waiver, not all of these documents are valid. In Texas, a waiver must meet certain requirements to be enforceable in court:
Not all waivers are valid. It may contain language that invalidates it, or the park representatives may have acted in a way that goes beyond simple negligence and into gross negligence or malice. In this scenario, a liability waiver will not protect the park from liability for its wrongful acts. Your personal injury attorney can read the contract you signed and determine whether you can still sue.
All Texas amusement parks must carry insurance for their rides. The amount varies depending on whether it is a Class A Ride (fixed location and designed for younger children) or a Class B Ride (everything else). Class A rides must be able to cover at least $100,000 in bodily injury and $50,000 in property damage per accident while Class B must carry at least $1,000,000 bodily injury and $500,000 property damage per accident.
The total value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injury, its anticipated impact on your life, and whether you bore any fault for your accident. Texas is a modified comparative negligence state, meaning that even if you are partly at fault, you can claim damages, as long as your share of the blame is not over 50%.
In other words, if a jury awards you $100,000 for a back injury but determines that you were 40% at fault because you sat up or moved in a way that increased your risk during a ride, you would only take home 60% of your damages, or $60,000.
An amusement park is a fun, entertaining place for families to relax and have a great time. Safety is the last thing you should worry about, but the oversight of many amusement parks can be lacking, which may lead to injuries. If you or a loved one were injured while at an amusement park, call the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, at (512) 800-0000 or contact us online. Consultations are free, and we work on contingency, which means that you only pay if we win your case. Let us put our top-rated Austin amusement park attorneys to work for you.
