Nevada law allows riders injured on or by roller coasters to file lawsuits for money damages against the owners and operators. These may include the:
- amusement park,
- hotel,
- operators of the ride,
- designers of the ride, and
- parent corporations.
Money damages can include compensation for
- medical bills,
- lost wages,
- pain and suffering, and
- even wrongful death.
To help you better understand Nevada’s laws on roller coaster accidents, our Las Vegas Nevada personal injury attorneys discuss the following, below:
- 1. What compensation can I get for a roller coaster injury in Nevada?
- 2. How do I prove negligence in a Las Vegas roller coaster accident?
- 3. What are common Nevada roller coaster injuries?
1. What compensation can I get for a roller coaster injury in Nevada?
If you were injured on a Nevada roller coaster, our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers may be able to help you get compensation for:
- Medical bills,
- Dental bills,
- Chiropractor bills,
- Lost wages,
- Lost earning capacity, and
- Pain and suffering.
In order to get a settlement for your Las Vegas roller coaster or win at trial, however, you will usually need to prove
- that the owner or an employee was negligent or
- that the coaster suffered from a design or manufacturing defect.
2. How do I prove negligence in a Las Vegas roller coaster accident?
Companies that own premises open to the public in Nevada have an obligation to exercise reasonable care to prevent injuries. This includes the companies that own and operate roller coasters.
If they fail to exercise such reasonable care and, as a result, you are injured, you will often be entitled to compensation.1
Example: Victoria decides to take her daughter, Wendy, on a roller coaster. The sign says you must be at least 54” tall to ride. Victoria is only 52” tall, but while she is getting on the ride, the attendant is checking his text messages and doesn’t notice. If Wendy is injured because of her size, the owner of the roller coaster is most likely liable.
However… if Wendy had stood on her toes to appear tall enough, a jury might find that she shared fault for her injury under Nevada’s comparative negligence law. If the jury determines that Wendy (or Victoria) was 50% or more responsible, she won’t be able to recover.
An experienced Nevada personal injury lawyer can help you determine
- who is at fault for a roller coaster injury in Las Vegas and
- how much compensation you might be entitled to.
3. What are common Nevada roller coaster injuries?
The Las Vegas strip is home to many thrilling roller coasters, including the
Many visitors who drive from California to Las Vegas also like to stop in Primm, Nevada to ride the Desperado roller coaster at Buffalo Bill’s.
Though while Nevada’s roller coasters are generally safe, accidents and injuries still happen.
The Amusement Safety Organization reported 120 significant injuries on the Roller Coaster at New York, New York in 2013 alone.
Reported injuries included:
- Neck, back and shoulder injuries (including whiplash);
- Stomach injuries from the lap bar;
- Facial injuries from being struck by cell phones, cups and other objects;
- Difficulty breathing; and
- Blackouts.
Even if your roller coaster accident did not result in a serious injury, if it was caused by someone else’s negligence you have the right to seek damages for your losses.
Injured on a Nevada roller coaster? Call us for help…
If you or someone you know was injured on a roller coaster or in another amusement park accident in Nevada, we invite you to contact us for a consultation to discuss your case.
You can reach us by filling out the form on this page or calling us.
One of our caring Las Vegas personal lawyers will get back to you promptly to help you determine whether you might be entitled to compensation for your roller coaster injury.
The statute of limitations in Nevada personal injury cases can be as short as two (2) years, so be sure to contact us right away to start working on your case.
Learn more about suing for premises liability in Nevada.
Legal references:
- NRS 41.130 provides: “Except as otherwise provided in NRS 41.745 [limiting employer liability], whenever any person shall suffer personal injury by wrongful act, neglect or default of another, the person causing the injury is liable to the person injured for damages; and where the person causing the injury is employed by another person or corporation responsible for the conduct of the person causing the injury, that other person or corporation so responsible is liable to the person injured for damages.”