Steps to Take After a Hayride Accident This Autumn
Hayrides are a popular autumn activity for families. While usually an enjoyable and relaxing experience, accidents do sometimes happen during these events. If you or your loved ones were injured in a hayride accident, what compensation might you be entitled to?
What Are Hayrides?
A hayride is an event where people ride in the back of a farm truck or wagon that is lined with hay or straw. These rides are usually conducted by farms or orchards during the harvest season to help supplement the farm's income, or as part of festivals that take place during the fall season.
Common Causes of Hayride Accidents
Hayrides are often conducted in the evening or at night so that people can enjoy the sunset sky or the moon and the stars. While hayrides may follow paved roads, they are also often conducted on dirt paths or off the path entirely. People sit unsecured on the hay, exposing them to a risk of serious injury if the hayride vehicle gets into an accident. And some hayride operators may try to load as many people as possible onto the vehicle in order to maximize their profit or just to ensure that everyone who wants a ride gets one.
Some of the most common causes of hayride accidents include:
- Speeding
- Inadequately trained drivers
- Allowing too many passengers on the truck or wagon
- Inadequate maintenance of the vehicle and other equipment
- Paths with holes, bumps or other hazards
- Low lighting
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Hayride Accident?
Depending on who is operating the hayride, where the hayride is taking place, and the exact cause or causes of an accident, parties that may have liability for a hayride accident include:
- The hayride driver
- The owner of the hayride vehicle
- The operator of the hayride event, such as a festival organizer
- The owner of the property where the accident occured.
What Compensation Can You Recover for Injuries Suffered in a Hayride Accident?
If you or a family member was injured in a hayride accident, you may be entitled to compensation that covers:
- Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation of injuries
- Expenses for long-term care of permanent disabilities
- Loss of wages or income for missed time from work
- Loss of future earning ability due to disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
- Pain and suffering
After you have been involved in a hayride accident, steps you should take to ensure you recover maximum compensation for the harm and loss you have suffered include:
- Take photos or video of the accident scene, including the hayride vehicle, the path where the accident took place, the weather and lighting conditions, and any other relevant details
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident to have any injuries you suffered diagnosed by a doctor. Follow any treatment recommendations and instructions that you are given.
- Keep copies of all bills and invoices for expenses that you incur due to your injuries.
- Reach out to a personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of the accident and to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Contact a Edison Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Hayride Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a hayride accident in New Jersey? Don't let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. represent clients injured because of hayride accidents in Lakewood, Toms River, Jackson, Woodbridge, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 906-1500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, as well as offices in Edison, Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
