Bumper Cars
Bumper cars are one of those rides that have stood the test of time. You see them at amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs. They also appeal to all ages. Young kids all the way up to adults can ride bumper cars and enjoy them, until someone gets whacked from behind and gets injured. Although most places with bumper cars have warning signs saying not to bump each other, that’s kind of the point of the ride and people rarely follow this warning.
Common Injuries
Common injuries that can occur from bumper cars include:
- Broken bones, especially wrists
- Back and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries
- Stroke due to trauma to ligaments in the neck
Important Reminders
What happens with bumper cars is that, when two cars collide, the driver that is heavier will have more force, as well as the driver that is moving faster. The problem with this is that bumper cars have drivers of all different ages, sizes, and weights. When you have a young child operating a bumper car, this may cause them to get bumped and spin in all different directions, with a great amount of force.
Even with a seatbelt on, getting jerked and jolted constantly and from all different directions, can cause someone small, or big, to hit their legs, wrists, head, or face on parts of the car. The neck and its muscles are also more fragile in children, and therefore, can become victims of whiplash and concussion, due to their heads slamming back and forth.
When you or your children ride on a bumper car, you are assuming the risk of minor injuries that can result from collisions or bumps. Colliding, bumping, and sudden change in direction carries with it the potential for minor injuries. You cannot take away this risk without eliminating the “bumper” from “bumper cars.” Therefore, you and your children should follow a few safety tips before getting in bumper cars.
Safety Tips
- Follow the guidelines on restrictions to age, height, and weight
- Keep all limbs inside the car
- Always secure the seat belt and other safety belts
- If there are children on the ride that are behaving aggressively and purposefully trying to crash into people, report it to the operator and the manager
Before riding on bumper cars, make sure your child is aware of these safety rules, in order to be as safe as possible. Also be mindful that peer pressure may make younger children feel that they have to go on bumper cars and other rides, even if they do not want to. Before going on rides, make sure your child knows that they do not have to ride if they do not wish to.
Getting Help
All this being said, if you believe that you were injured on bumper cars, in a way that was not a foreseeable risk, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. This might include injury due to a problem with the ride or cars, lack of employees or safety personnel at the ride, people not following the rules, or employees not paying attention. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about a bumper car injury.
