New Jersey’s Most Dangerous Amusement Parks

A day at an amusement park is usually a fun-filled experience. Park-goers generally feel that they can rely on ride operators to properly inspect and maintain the park attractions, and most of the time they’re right. However, when they’re wrong, the day can quickly turn from fun to disastrous. If a ride is not properly inspected or well-maintained, riders can sustain serious injuries.

New Jersey is somewhat known for amusement park rides, especially around the Jersey Shore. Rides in theme parks, like Six Flags, and those on boardwalks by the beach can be fun, but they are also dangerous. Accidents occur almost every year. Historically, waterparks have seen higher rates of accidents, including drownings and waterslide mishaps. Mechanical failures on rollercoasters and similar rides are also more common than people realize.

For a free, confidential legal review of your accident, call our New Jersey amusement park injury attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.

What Are Common Causes of Amusement Ride Accidents and Injuries in New Jersey?

New Jersey has many amusement parks and rides, particularly around the Jersey Shore. When accidents occur, our New Jersey amusement park injury attorneys will help investigate to determine the cause and who is responsible so you can get fair compensation. Below are some of the most common reasons for accidents in amusement parks.

Mechanical Failures

Many amusement park ride accidents are the result of mechanical failures. While rides are designed to be thrilling for guests, they must also be designed to be safe. When safety mechanisms fail, it is often due to mechanical failure.

For example, in 2025, the Kingda Ka ride at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, was finally retired and dismantled after years of mechanical failures. Incidents over the years have included launch track failures, harness malfunctions, and rollbacks. A rollback is when a coaster fails to clear the top of an incline and rolls backward.

Falling Accidents

One of the most common causes of accidents and injuries in amusement parks is falling accidents. Many falling accidents result from harness failures, and riders might be dropped or even thrown from rides while the ride is in motion.

It is also possible that parts of a ride, props, or other objects at an amusement park may fall on unsuspecting guests. For example, in 2023, at the DreamWorks Water Park in East Rutherford, NJ, a large prop helicopter fell into a pool, causing injuries to at least 4 people.

Water Parks and Rides

Many accidents happen at water parks, where there is an added risk of drowning. Guests could become trapped inside water slide tubes. Guests might also collide with other guests in pools after going down a slide at high rates of speed if park staff do not carefully monitor how often they allow people to slide.

Many water slides are very long and steep, giving guests the thrill of almost falling. Unfortunately, some of these slides are a bit too thrilling, and guests are injured on slides while going at dangerously high speeds into the water.

Notable Parks, Rides, and Accidents in New Jersey

While certain rides and parks throughout the state have a reputation for accidents and incidents, there are other rides connected with recent, notable accidents. Some rides are so intense that they should be approached with caution even when working properly.

Boardwalk Adventures

Boardwalk Adventures is an outdoor water park located on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. The park offers several water slides for thrill-seekers. A kiddie play area is provided for young children. Boardwalk Adventures also offers a miniature golf course and beach cabanas.

Some of the main water slides and major attractions featured by the park include:

• Serpentine Body Slide – This eight-story slide winds and twists through the air. Guests often remark on both the slide’s speed and twists. Those with heart, back, or other medical conditions should observe posted warnings before riding.
• Tube Journey – Guests can slide on a tube solo or with a friend. Guests will hover in the air in a suspended pool before plunging into the activity pool below.
• Lil Buc’s Bay – This play area is designed for young children who may not be able to ride the more imposing park attractions.
• Splashdown – Splashdown is a body slide for strong swimmers. Riders plunge into a chlorinated pool at the ride’s conclusion.
• Lazy River – The lazy river allows riders to relax on single-or double-occupancy tubes. The river meanders through the park, allowing guests to orient themselves within it.

El Toro

A somewhat recent accident at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ involved the El Toro rollercoaster. This was a major accident in 2022, where at least 13 people were reportedly injured.

Initial reports stated that witnesses heard a loud bang and saw jolting occurring on the rollercoaster while it was in operation. While representatives for Six Flags claimed that all riders were able to safely exit the ride without assistance, at least 13 people required treatment at the scene, with 5 being taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Reported injuries included neck and back injuries. According to news articles about the incident, one rider explained that it felt as if the ride bucked too hard at one point and compared it to hitting a pothole.

The Joker

Another accident from the same Six Flags amusement park in Jackson, NJ involved a ride called The Joker. The incident happened in 2011 and involved a rider who was a paraplegic.

The park guest rode The Joker after being assured by amusement park staff that the ride was safe for a person with his type of spinal cord injury.

The Joker speeds through a twisting track, and riders are turned upside down along the ride. The victim’s legs were unsecured and unrestrained, causing them to violently flail while the ride was in motion. The victim suffered lower extremity fractures, including fractures to his femur.

FAQs About Suing for Amusement Park Accidents and Injuries in New Jersey

What Are Common Causes of Accidents and Injuries in Amusement Parks?

Many rollercoaster and amusement park ride accidents are related to mechanical failures. Remember, a rollercoaster is more than just a ride. It is an incredibly large piece of delicate machinery. If the ride is not properly maintained, inspected, or assembled, mechanical failures are more likely to occur, leading to accidents.

What Are Your Damages Worth in a Lawsuit for Amusement Park Injuries?

Your damages may be worth a considerable sum of money, depending on your injuries. Rollercoasters and other rides often move at high speeds, and accidents tend to lead to devastating injuries. Fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even amputated limbs have been known to occur. Many plaintiffs claim thousands of dollars in medical bills alone. Your damages may be worth even more when accounting for pain and suffering.

How Soon After an Accident in an Amusement Park Should You Sue?

If you were hurt in an amusement park accident, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. In New Jersey, personal injury lawsuits must be filed no later than 2 years after the injuries first occurred. If you do not file the case during this time, you may be barred from ever filing it.

What if Multiple Injured Park Guests File Lawsuits for the Same Accident?

Amusement park accidents often involve multiple injured victims. Other injured park guests may file their own claims. Typically, these cases are not large enough to qualify as class action lawsuits. However, some of your hearings and proceedings may be consolidated with others, making trying all the cases more efficient.

Can You Be Held Responsible for Your Own Injuries in an Amusement Park Accident Case?

Possibly. Depending on how the accident happened, the amusement park’s legal representatives may argue that you caused or at least contributed to the accident. Even if you are partially responsible, you may still sue and recover damages. However, your damages may be reduced according to your share of fault. If you are more than 50% responsible, you may be barred from recovery.

Can You Sue an Amusement Park After an Accident if You Signed a Waiver?

Possibly. Waivers are not uncommon, and they may limit the park’s liability for certain accidents and injuries. However, a waiver does not absolve the park of all possible liability. The park may be liable for accidents not covered by the waiver or for those resulting from gross negligence. If you signed a waiver, review it with your lawyer right away.

Contact an Amusement Park Injury Lawyer

For a free, confidential legal review of your accident, call our New Jersey amusement park injury attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.