While riding around in a go-kart is a fun experience and seems to be relatively safe, there are cases where riders die in go-kart accidents. While the case involved a man breaking into a speedway with a friend to enjoy an empty track, it does not negate the fact that go-carts are dangerous. The accident was caused by the go-kart driver not seeing a guardrail and ramming into it. The man sustained catastrophic injuries, but he later succumbed to his injuries. The go-kart the man was using did not have a safety harness which could have kept him safe even if he did not have permission to be on the property. The other driver did not face any charges or injuries from the go-kart experience.
In normal circumstances, you would visit an amusement park and have the option to participate in a go-kart lap. You must wear safety harnesses and even helmets to stay safe. Park guests will also have to sign waivers before getting behind the wheel. This waiver does not exclude the amusement park or its staff from liability in an accident. After a go-kart accident, you will need to call a Philadelphia amusement park accident attorney.
What happens when you sign a waiver
Waivers are commonplace in amusement parks, and you will likely sign a waiver before you can begin driving. However, signing a release does not mean you lose your right to obtain compensation. Some waivers attempt to remove the right to sue for injury victims, and others do not. The rhetoric within the waiver is often very vague, which allows our injury attorneys to build a case. The language in the release will determine how you can proceed with a legal claim.
Your child can file a legal claim against the amusement park for go-kart accidents. Your child cannot sign a waiver for themselves, so you do it for them. A release will sometimes take a right away from the parent to sue, but it does not take that right from the child. There are many other complexities in these cases, but a child’s ability to sue was an example of one that works in your favor.
Common go-kart injuries
A go-kart and a speedway will vary from park to park and state to state, but the injuries and devastation they leave in their wake do not. You are exposed to the elements, and depending on the track, other drivers can bump into you, which causes serious accidents. You will likely sustain these injuries from a go-kart accident:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Eye injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Elbow injuries
- Damage to your wrist
- Lacerations and scars
Most of the time, the amusement park will require an adult to ride with a child, but that is not always the case. Riding with an adult does not exempt a child from injury. Parental supervision also does not remove liability from the amusement park.
Liability in a go-kart accident
Several entities participate in the creation, operation, and maintenance of go-karts. If any of these parties act negligently, they will be held liable for your injuries. That also means that any of these parties can be liable if an accident occurs at a speedway. The product manufacturer can also be held responsible for a product defect that causes an accident. The amusement park must perform regular maintenance on all go-kart vehicles, typically done by a maintenance company. Go-kart operators must have proper training and provide instruction to riders before they begin using the vehicles.
Contact a Philadelphia go-kart accident attorney.
No matter the circumstances of your case, you have the right to pursue compensation for your accident injuries. The amusement park and go-kart speedway cannot throw away their responsibility to keep park guests safe. When any party acts negligently, they must be held accountable. Kwartler Manus, LLC is here to help you through this challenging situation. Contact our Philadelphia amusement park accident attorney for a case evaluation. Call our office at (267) 457-5570 today.