New York, New York (PRWEB) October 15, 2014 -- Halloween hayrides can be fun, but they can also cause serious injuries or even death, warned Attorney at Law David Perecman. A trailer carrying passengers on a Halloween-themed hayride overturned in Mechanic Falls, Maine, killing one teenage girl and injuring at least 20 other people, reported ABC News (10.12.14).
Cassidy Charette, 17, died from her injuries after a crash "threw everyone off the trailer and into each other and into trees,” said ABC News. Apparently, a mechanical problem prevented the 1979 Jeep pulling the wagon from stopping.
David Brown, 54, the driver of the Jeep was among those hospitalized. ABC said he was an experienced trucker with a commercial driver's license.
The accident happened during the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride, a spooky hayride through a forest. The activity took place at a rural farm that also featured Pumpkin Land.
“Any time you are in any type of moving vehicle without proper seating or safety restraints, you are taking a risk,” said Perecman, founder of The Perecman Firm.
When people suffer hayride injuries, these injuries may be significant because of the number of people involved and the size and weight of the vehicle. Hayride trailers can crush and-or eject riders causing catastrophic injuries. Serious accidents may occur when proper control mechanisms are not in place. A number of hayride accidents have been caused by poor maintenance, lack of maintenance or inadequate supervision at a place like a farm.
“With any types of amusement rides, including hayrides, If there is any failure to ensure customer safety, ride operators may be held responsible for any injuries and losses caused by carelessness or negligence,” said Perecman.
The circumstances of the hayride accident in Mechanic Falls are still unknown. However, many hayride operators fall short on safety. They may overload the ride, fail to provide safety harnesses, inadequately train the ride operator, and experience electrical or mechanical failure, among a number of other factors linked to hayride accidents. Liability for hayride accidents may include negligence or tort law, product liability law, and premises liability law.
Typically, regulation and inspection of amusement rides, including hayrides, are left up to state or local municipalities. As a result, hayrides can vary significantly.
“As the Halloween season arrives, adults need to evaluate which rides they believe are safe for them and their families,” said Perecman.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured in an accident caused by the carelessness or negligence of another, contact the personal injury lawyers at The Perecman Firm at 212-977-7033.
The ABC News story cited is “Teen Dead, More Than 20 Hurt in Hayride Crash."
About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:
For the past 30 years, the New York construction accident, medical malpractice, auto accident, personal injury, and civil rights violation lawyers at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have handled all types of personal injury cases. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, has been recognized for his achievements as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition" for the years 2007-2014. The prestigious U.S. News & World Report ranks The Perecman Firm among the top 20 personal injury firms in New York City for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict** for a construction accident (Index 112370/03) Supreme Court, New York County, a $5.35 million dollar verdict*** for an automobile accident (Index 2749/04) Supreme Court, Kings County, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice (Index 2146/03)****Supreme Court, Kings County.
The Perecman Firm serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate NY, Morris County, and Rockland County.
**later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
*** later settled for $3.5 million
**** total potential payout
Sherry Ishak, The Perecman Firm, +1 (305)864-1539, [email protected]
SOURCE The Perecman Firm
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