Zipline rides, zip line tours, aerial adventures, or call them whatever you want, are a great adventure for all those who love the thrill of zooming through the tree canopy. For adventure lovers, nothing can compare to a zipline ride, and these rides usually leave a lasting impression. In some cases, however, these rides can result in life-altering injuries.
“A zipline tour can take a tragic turn when the rider is exposed to safety hazards and preventable risks due to the negligence or recklessness on the part of the zipline operator,” explains our Philadelphia zipline ride accident attorney at Dan Doyle Law Group. If that’s the case, the injured rider may be entitled to sue the zipline operator to recover damages.
Statistics show that zipline facilities, which mainly consist of a pulley suspended on a cable, have become a fast-growing adventure activity in Philadelphia and all across Pennsylvania. These zipline facilities are located in different types of terrain across the state, including forests, mountains, and canyons.
As zipline facilities keep mushrooming all across the nation, there has been a rise in zipline injuries in recent years. Each year, more than 4,000 Americans get injured during zipline rides, which translates to about 11 injuries on zipline tours each day.
Do not get us wrong. We are not trying to discourage you from having fun, nor are we trying to say that all zipline tours are dangerous. We are simply trying to keep you safe and educate you on the dangers of zipline rides. Although state regulations that must be followed by commercial zipline operators are rather insufficient, most operators strive to provide a safe environment for thrill-seekers and maintain their facilities in a good condition.
“However, it is not uncommon for zipline operators to cut business costs, and, as a result, make negligent mistakes and that lead to zipline ride accidents,” warns our experienced zipline ride accident attorney in Philadelphia.
Statistically speaking, the vast majority of all zipline-related injuries occur when the rider falls or crashes into an object while riding the zipline. As you may have guessed, the rider may fall from heights when he or she is not properly harnessed, while collisions with trees, buildings, and other stationary objects can happen when the zipline operator fails to ensure that the path is free of obstructions.
Zipline riders usually ride at very high speeds, which is supposed to make the ride even more adventurous and thrilling. However, the fact that zipline riders are riding at high speeds also increases the risk of sustaining a serious injury.
Some of the most common zipline-related injuries include fractured bones, bruises, sprains, strains, back and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and many others. Fatal zipline rides are also not uncommon when a zipline operator fails to ensure a rider’s safety due to negligence.
“So, let me get it straight… If I get injured during a zipline ride, is it automatically the zipline operator who will be held liable?” you may be wondering. Not really. In order to prove that the zipline operator or any other party was negligent and that this negligence resulted in your injury, you will have to get help from a personal injury attorney in order to establish that the owner or operator:
Let our lawyers at Dan Doyle Law Group review your particular case and determine whether or not the zipline owner or operator was negligent. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation today.
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