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It’s fair and festival season here in the Tampa Bay area. The Florida State Fair is almost over and the start of the Strawberry Festival is just a mere few weeks away. And if that’s not enough fun for you, there are any number of amusement parks nearby that you can visit any day of the year given our beautiful Florida weather.
For the most part, these festivals and parks are relatively safe as great efforts are taken to try and ensure the safety of visitors. Unfortunately, however, accidents still do occur. Although statistics for these types of accidents are not well kept, it has been reported that an estimated 4,400 children are injured annually on amusement park rides, and between 1990 and 2000, approximately 82,000 children under 18 were taken to emergency rooms after suffering an injury on an amusement park ride. In addition, between 1990 and 2004, there were a total of 52 fatalities associated with amusement park rides. These numbers are likely much higher now as many more parks have since been opened.
Steps to Take After Suffering an Injury a Fair or Amusement Park
If you have suffered an injury at a fair, carnival, or amusement park, it is important to take appropriate steps to document the event and your injuries. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Get Immediate Medical Attention. If you have been injured at a fair or amusement, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Most fairs and amusement parks will have paramedics and other medical personnel on site to provide emergency treatment right away. It is also important to follow up with a doctor as soon as possible after leaving the grounds.
- Report the Incident. Insurance companies love to question whether an incident ever occurred when it has not been reported. This is why, even if you don’t think that your injury is serious, it is important to report the incident to fair personnel or the park.
- Get the Names of any Witnesses. Obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses, including fair personnel or park employees who saw the incident or render aid.
- Take Pictures. If possible, take pictures of the ride or hazard, and of the surrounding area as well.
- Save Your Ticket. If you were issued a ticket upon entry, save it. Sometimes tickets contain important information that may affect your claim.
- Keep a Copy of all Paperwork. For some events and rides, you may be asked to sign paperwork (this is usually a liability waiver). If possible, request a copy of the paperwork or take a picture of it. In addition, if you are asked to fill out or sign and incident report, ask for a copy of that as well. If they refuse (they are not obligated to give you a copy), take a picture.
- Contact an Attorney. If you have been injured at a fair or amusement park, it is important that you hire an attorney as soon as possible who has experience handling claims for fair and amusement park accidents. This way your attorney can start an investigation on your behalf before the insurance company has a chance to complete its own.
Free Information
If you have questions about your Florida accident case, you can download our Free Reports:
- Your Guide to Florida Car Accident Claims;
- The Ultimate Guide to Florida Slip and Fall Cases; and
- 5 Medical Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Personal Injury Case
which are available at our website, or you can click the link provided. You can also contact us at 813-797-5998 to talk directly to a Riverview personal injury attorney now.