California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that on Saturday night, April 20, 2024, around 9 p.m., at least 15 tourists riding the popular back lot tram ride at Universal City Studios were injured when the motorized tram vehicle they were riding on hit something and then tipped, causing many of the tram’s riders to be thrown from the ride.
The exact details and causes of this California amusement park injury incident are currently under investigation by the CHP, including possible driver negligence, vehicle brake failure and other causes. Meanwhile, reportedly at least 15 of the tram riders were taken to a local hospital emergency room, with unspecified injuries. So far Universal seems to be taking the position that the injuries ranged only from minor to moderate, yet at least 15 riders were taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile, each of these injured tram riders have the right to make a claim against Universal Studios for all their injuries and damages, and may receive an absolutely FREE consultation and case evaluation by a very experienced law firm with over 45 years of experience handling serious injury and wrongful death accident claims simply by clicking here.
The tram ride at Universal Studios, in transporting people around its park, could be considered a common carrier under California law; and, as such, have an even higher duty of care towards its riders than it might otherwise have to others, for example to non-rider pedestrians at its theme park.
This higher duty of care often makes it easier to prove liability and responsibility to hold the negligent party responsible for all injuries and damages. In fact, California law, specifically Civil Code Section 2100 states as follows: “A carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.”
Amusement park injuries such as occurred at Universal Studios on April 20th are not uncommon, and sometimes result from unsafe and defective rides as well as operator negligence, which may be the reason this tram ride hit an object causing some of its tram riders reportedly to be ejected from the tram ride and to be injured.
Typical injuries that occur in such incidents include sprains, strains and soft tissue injuries to a rider’s neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs, knees and feet.
Further, sometimes much more serious injuries may occur, including head injuries with what is referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), face injuries which may include jaw injuries commonly referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Injuries (TMJ), and various spine injuries and fractures, including fractures to a rider’s arm, wrist and or leg. It is very important to see trained specialists to properly discover, diagnose and treat such serious injuries.
And typical damages available to injured amusement park riders including all monetary damages for pain, suffering and inconvenience; all hospital and other medical charges; home nursing care and assistance; loss of earnings and other loss of income; loss of enjoyment of life activities; all provable future pain, suffering, medical charges, loss of income, and other damages our legal team can explain to injured riders based upon their own individual circumstances.
By the way, this is especially bad timing and publicity for Universal Studios in that the Universal Studio Tram ride is celebrating its 60th anniversary, having started in 1964!