Were you recently injured while riding a roller coaster at an amusement park? If so, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim and receive compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and suffering.
While speaking with a personal injury attorney is the best way to get started, you can also begin the process yourself.
The first step when filing a personal injury claim is writing a demand letter. Demand letters are official requests for compensation filed to the insurance company of whoever was at fault for your accident.
They include a detailed account of your accident, your injuries, and the reasoning behind your compensation request. They should also include any medical bills or statements that support your request. For this reason, it is important to send your demand letter after you’ve completed treatment.
Sample Roller Coaster Accident Demand Letter
Demand letters should be professional, detailed, and well-organized. To insure your letter is properly done, follow the sample letter below.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, and Zip Code]
[The Date]
[Name of the Claims Adjuster]
[Their Job Title]
Address of the Insurance Company]
[City, State, and Zip Code of the Insurance Company]
Re: Your Insured, [Name of the Defendant]
Claimant: [Your Full Legal Name]
Claim Number: (Only include this number if a claim number has already been assigned to you, and you have already been contacted about the matter.)
Date of Loss: [Date of Incident in which the Bus Accident Took Place]
Dear Mr./Mrs.[Name of Claims Adjuster],
In response to our prior discussion on November 23, 2014, please accept this letter as my formal demand for compensation following the injuries sustained at your insured, Six Flags Magic Mountain.
While my physical injuries have nearly healed, I am still recovering mentally from the trauma of the events that took place. As you are aware, I was riding the new X2 coaster when, in the middle of a 90-degree drop, the ride came to a sudden halt and left me and numerous other riders stranded for 4.5 hours. The lack of safe construction and maintenance of this ride, as well as a lack of quick assistance from Six Flags staff, places the park directly at fault for all injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and continued trauma that resulted from the incident.
The evening of September 25, 2014, I decided to ride the new X2 coaster with friends at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I have a phobia of heights, but I decided to ride the coaster after encouragement from my friends. During the coaster’s famed 90-degree straight drop, the coaster car came to a sudden halt, causing me to lurch forward against my harness and severely injuring my neck. After twenty minutes of silence, we were alerted by Six Flags staff that help was on its way. It was only after four and a half hours that help came to remove us from the coaster. During those four and a half hours, I was without food or drink and was flat on my stomach, staring directly down at the floor far below me, causing me to have multiple panic attacks and black outs from the fear.
After I was safely escorted to the ground, I was taken by ambulance to Valencia Urgent Care. There, I was seen by Dr. Jennifer Wong. After receiving an IV drip of anti-anxiety medication and fluids for dehydration, I was taken in for an X-ray and diagnosed with a neck sprain. Dr. Wong prescribed me [name the medication] for the pain, gave me a brace for my neck, and told me to stay home for two weeks to recover.
Here are attached my medical bills, which further outline the cost of my treatment.
- Ambulance: $361.00
- Valencia Urgent Care: $490.00
- Dr. Jennifer Wong: $412.00
- IV: $310.00
- X-ray: $204.00
- Neck Treatment and Brace: $120.00
- Prescription Pain Medication: $60.00
- TOTAL: $1,957.00
During my two week recovery, I was deprived $1300.00 of salary pay. Aside from the medical bills and the physical damage, I am still traumatized by the events of September 25 and experience anxiety every day that prevents me from living a normal life. It is for these reasons that I am demanding compensation in the amount of $10,000.
I hope to receive a timely response in no later than 30 days from the date of this correspondence.
[Your Signature]
[Your Name – printed]
Note: after taking into account your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering, add a bit of extra money onto your compensation request. This allows for easier negotiation later in the process.
Seeking Help from an Attorney
Filing claims can be tricky, especially without the assistance of a legal professional. Contacting a personal injury attorney can insure that every aspect of your case is handled with the utmost care, precision, and determination.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Six Flags, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
