Theme parks are popular destinations for Americans to spend their leisure time. Every year thousands of people visit amusement parks. There are more than 400 amusement parks and attractions in the United States, producing a total nationwide economic impact of $219 billion each year. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), approximately 375 million guests visit amusement parks every year.

When we go to theme parks, we don’t usually think about potential hazards and getting into accidents. Nevertheless, accidents are common in theme parks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2014 there were more than 5,000 amusement park accidents nationwide. If you or a loved one has been injured in a theme park accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

What To Do After an Accident In an Amusement Park

In order to succeed in your personal injury claim against an amusement park, you must prove that the park’s negligence was the direct and proximate cause of your injuries and resulting damages. Proving these elements may be difficult if you do not take certain steps immediately after an accident.

Below are some important steps your personal injury attorney will want you to take in the aftermath of an accident in a theme park to ensure the success of your case:

• Report your injury to park personnel. You should never leave after an accident. If you are seriously injured, you should ask park personnel to call 911. Do not decline to go to the hospital. If you are not seriously injured and can wait to seek medical assistance, you should stay behind and report your injuries to the management and ask them to prepare an incident report. This report will positively link your injury to the scene of the accident.
• Talk to witnesses and get their contact information. Eye witnesses to the scene of the incident are invaluable in proving your case because they lend credibility to your case. The best type of witnesses are those who are not your family or friends because they have no financial interest in your personal injury claim.
• Take pictures of the incident scene. The best type of evidence is photographs and videos of the scene of the accident. Your attorney can use such information to prove your case and the extent of your injuries. The proverb, “pictures paint a thousand works,” goes a long way in personal injury claims.
• Go to the doctor. It is important to see a doctor after your accident, even if you believe that you were not seriously injured. Symptoms of certain injuries may not surface until days after an accident. Delay in any medical treatment can cause you additional medical problems, as well as hinder the success of your claim.

All of these steps are important, but perhaps the most important step you need to take after a theme park accident is to consult with an attorney who specifically handles these types of accidents.

Call Us!

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with a New Jersey theme park accident attorney lawyer, please call the Law Offices of Dan T. Matrafajlo at (908) 248-4404.