Horseback Riding Injury Broward County
Horseback riding Broward is a popular pastime. There’s just something about horseback riding that can bring people together and give them a relaxing way to spend some time. Unfortunately as great as horseback riding is, there is a chance of a riding accident that can leave you potentially seriously injured. This can lead you to become overwhelmed at the emotional and physical effects of the accident. Knowing your rights can help you through this time. By reading on, you can learn all about these types of accidents and what your rights are.
Understanding Liability
One major aspect of your claim is equestrian liability. In Florida, due to the popularity of this activity, there is an Equine Activity Liability Act, which can potentially impact any horseback riding personal injury claim. A lawyer with expertise in this area can be especially helpful to you during this time, as they understand the complexities with these laws.
There are different causes that can lead to legal action in these types of cases. These include:
- Premises Liability
If you are on a riding trail that is poorly marked, improperly maintained, has any known or potential dangers, and lacks appropriate cautionary signage, then there is a case for premises liability. The owners of the property, as well as any operators of the horseback riding facility, can potentially be liable for any injuries caused when horseback riding on their premises.
- General Negligence
There may be negligent actions performed by the employee, equine activity sponsor, and owner of the facility which could cause injury. Some examples of this include not properly training the horse, improperly instructing riders, and improperly matching novice riders with horses who require a much higher skill level to ride.
- Product Liability
There is also a bit of product liability to pay attention to with these types of cases. If essential riding equipment like girth, saddles, bridles, and riding helmets are defective, this can lead to potentially very serious injuries. This may lead to a case of product liability due to poor manufacturing or poor design, which gives you another person to put on your claim to get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
The issue is whether or not you signed a waiver of liability before your accident. If you did, you would need to carefully read this waiver to see what rights you waved upon signing this agreement.
Injuries Caused by Horseback Riding Accidents
An inexperienced rider without proper training, the right horse, or a proper instructor can be a recipe for disaster. The horse can buck or kick. There is a variety of different things that can happen that could lead to various injuries. Some of the most common injuries associated with horseback riding include:
- Sprains/strains
- Bruises
- Injured wrists
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
These are just some of the most common injuries that you may suffer from as a result of your horseback riding accident. There is also the potential for death, depending on the circumstances surrounding the horseback riding accident. If you were injured, you should be sure to seek out medical treatment as soon as possible, especially if the facility offers it. If you refuse medical treatment, this can be very problematic for you. This could tell them that you’re not as injured as you say you were. Even worse, you may be more seriously injured than you think you are. This could lead to more severe injuries if left untreated.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
If you were injured as a result of your horseback riding accident and this was the fault of someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation. This can help relieve some of the financial struggles that your horseback riding accident can cause. You can be entitled to such compensation as:
- Current/Future Lost Wages
If your injuries were so severe that you missed work or caused you to lose your job, then you may be entitled to compensation for current and future lost wages.
- Current/Future Medical Bills
Medical bills after these types of accidents can be devastating, especially if you are out of work. You are entitled to compensation to cover these medical bills.
- Pain and Suffering
If you are suffering from pain, you could be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.
Other potential types of compensation include:
- Loss of consortium (if death was caused by the accident)
- Emotional trauma
You can talk to a lawyer to see more about the type of compensation that you could be entitled to in your specific situation.
Why You Need Horse Riding Accident Lawyers
A personal injury lawyer is the best resource you have during these times. You may be tempted to try fighting these types of cases yourself in order to keep as much of your money as possible, but you should be sure to have an experienced professional by your side. They will understand the various complexities that come with these types of claims. This knowledge and expertise are quite valuable, especially when you want to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve for the injuries you have sustained.
A lawyer will take a close look at your case, examining any evidence that you have compiled. If you have a viable claim for damages, they will move forward to collect even more evidence to strengthen your case. This will help ensure the best possible outcomes for your case. The goal is to settle the case before going to trial, but a good lawyer will have enough evidence and be ready to take the case to trial if needed.
Conclusion
If you suffered from a horseback riding injury, you may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. It’s normal to feel helpless as you try to recover both financially and physically from your equestrian accident. Knowing that you can get the compensation that you deserve to recover can make this time feel a little less overwhelming. Contact a lawyer that specializes in equestrian riding accidents today to help you get the best outcome for your case.
