Bumper Car Injuries

The first bumper car rides were introduced as far back as the early 1920s. Since then, bumper cars have been providing endless entertainment at fairs and amusement parks. Most of us consider bumper cars harmless fun, popular with children and adults alike. However, if rides are inadequately manufactured or maintained, they can cause horrific accidents and injuries.  

If you or a loved one suffered a bumper car injury and the ride operator or another party is responsible, you could be entitled to damages, such as medical bills, pain and anguish, and others. However, getting compensated by an amusement park owner can be far from straightforward, and you might have to fight vigorously to get what you deserve.  

Morgan & Morgan is here to help. If you don’t know what to do and where to turn after an amusement park injury, we have your back. Get started today and contact us to identify your next best steps in a free case review.

Leading Causes of Bumper Car Accidents

Bumper car accidents can occur due to numerous factors, such as ride operator negligence, rider recklessness, or mechanical failures. Here are some of the leading causes of bumper car injuries and accidents:

Bumper Car Operator Negligence

Amusement park injuries can occur when ride operators lack proper training, fail to enforce safety guidelines—or engage in reckless behavior. Examples of amusement park operator negligence can include:

• Lack of safety measures
• Inadequate supervision by ride operators
• Allowing overcrowding
• Lack of staff training
• Failing to inspect and maintain equipment regularly
• Lack of warning signs
• Improper operation of the bumper cars

Design and Manufacturing Defects

Bumper cars rely on mechanical and electrical systems to function safely. Malfunctions or manufacturing defects causing brake failure, electrical issues, or steering malfunction can result in accidents and severe bumper car injuries. If riders suffer injuries due to manufacturing defects, the manufacturer or other parties involved in making, selling, and marketing bumper car rides may be liable.

However, manufacturing defects can be challenging to prove. Fighting a product liability claim requires experienced attorneys and technical experts to build and prove a case.

Maintenance and Inspection Company Negligence

Amusement parks may hire third parties, such as repair shops, to maintain and inspect bumper car equipment. If such contractors are negligent in their duties, they could be liable for victims’ damages. A maintenance company may act carelessly if it:

• Fails to identify and address safety hazards
• Uses inferior parts when repairing equipment
• Allows untrained technicians to work on the ride

Local Authority Negligence

The regulation of amusement parks and rides varies from state to state. In some jurisdictions, local government entities regulate and inspect amusement parks and rides, ensuring they meet specific safety standards. If a government agency responsible for inspections fails to properly enforce safety regulations, they may be held accountable for accidents and injuries.

Filing a claim and getting what you deserve can be tricky when you or a loved one suffers amusement park injuries. Several defendants and their lawyers may fight your claim, including a powerful amusement park corporation or government agency. To give yourself the best chance of receiving a settlement or prevailing in a lawsuit and getting what you deserve, contact an injury attorney immediately after your accident and injury. Morgan & Morgan is here to advise you on your options and move forward with a compensation claim.

Common Bumper Car Injuries

According to the Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA), the chance of being severely injured at a U.S. amusement park is 1 in 15.5 million. However, statistics are little consolation when it happens to you or your child. Children, in particular, can be prone to injuries on bumper car rides as their bones and muscles are more fragile than those of adults.

Moreover, due to their lightweight, children may get violently thrown around when bumper cars collide, making them particularly susceptible to typical car crash injuries, such as concussions and whiplash. Serious bumper car injuries can include, among others:

• Fractured wrists
• Neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries
• Herniated discs and other back injuries
• Strains, sprains, and dislocations
• Facial and dental injuries

Even if you are not severely injured, you could incur high medical costs and miss time from work after a bumper car injury. Those suffering a significant or disabling injury may see their lives forever changed. If someone else is responsible for your amusement park injuries, they should pay for your damages. Morgan & Morgan is here to help.

Your 6 Best Steps After a Bumper Car Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while participating in a bumper car ride, you must act fast to protect your rights. Taking certain steps can preserve your chances for fair compensation from the responsible party. Here are your recommended best next steps:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Visit your doctor or, if seriously injured, the emergency room to get a professional evaluation of your injuries and prompt treatment. Seeking medical help as soon as possible is crucial for your health and establishes a record of your injuries. Medical reports are vital if you later need to file a legal claim.

2. Document Your Accident

Document the accident as comprehensively as possible. Take photos of the bumper car and any hazards or defective equipment that may have caused your bumper car injury. Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw your accident. Their statements could be crucial for your compensation claim.

3. Inform the Ride Operator

Before leaving the scene, tell the ride operator or amusement park management about your accident and injuries. They should provide you with an incident report to fill in. Ask for a copy of the report for your records. Completing an accident report can be critical for your legal claim as it establishes evidence for your amusement park injury claim.

4. Keep Records

Retain all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your bumper car accident and injury. Consider keeping a daily journal documenting your pain, limitations, and emotional distress from the accident. Don’t forget that even incidentals, such as out-of-pocket medication costs or mileage to and from doctor’s appointments, could be reimbursable. Keeping meticulous records of all your expenses—no matter how small—can help you get adequately compensated.

5. Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

Your most important step after getting medical help is seeking expert legal advice to assess your legal options and process for getting what you deserve. A personal injury attorney at Morgan & Morgan can analyze your bumper car accident with the help of professional investigators, determine those liable for your amusement park injury, and guide you through the legal process.

6. Don’t Discuss the Case

Refrain from discussing your claim or legal case with anyone other than your attorney and closest loved ones. Posting details of your accident on social media could get you into hot water. Even if your profiles are set to private, information may get out. The other side’s attorneys and insurance agents will look for any information they can use to minimize or discredit your claim. For example, posting pictures of yourself hiking on vacation while claiming severe injuries could sink your claim. Also, refrain from making statements or providing information to insurance companies or the bumper car ride operator without legal representation.

Amusement Park Injury Victims Could Receive Compensation

Bumper car injuries may seem harmless initially, but like car accident injuries, they could cause chronic pain and steep medical bills. Victims may even lose wages while recovering. However, if another is responsible for your bumper car injuries, you should not have to carry the financial burden alone. While compensation can vary from one case to another, you could be entitled to:

• Healthcare expenses
• Income loss
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Help with household tasks during recovery
• Awards for physical pain and suffering

You may also qualify for other damages, depending on the severity of your injuries and the facts of your bumper car accident.