Horseback Riding Accident Attorneys

Horseback Riding Accident Lawyers

Horseback riding accidents are one of the most common accidents resulting from recreational activities in the United States. Horseback riding has led to more hospitalizations than ice skating and snowboarding. This is a serious concern for the country, especially because many people ride horses recreationally and for work in competitions and contests.

Horseback riding could result in very severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. But, many people may assume that because a horse caused injuries, the victim of the accident may not be able to file a lawsuit against any party. This is not the case. An in-depth look into the circumstances of your horseback riding accident by our top-rated horseback riding accident attorneys could find negligent parties involved that may have contributed to your horseback riding accident.

Can I Sue if I Was Injured in a Horseback Riding Accident?

In California, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party who caused your horseback riding accident injuries. But, the hard part is finding the negligent party and holding them accountable. That is where our attorneys step in.

Horseback Riding Statistics

• Around 7 million Americans go horseback riding each year
• The United States horse industry is worth around 40 billion dollars a year
• Around 800,000 horses compete in track racing each year
• The average household income of a horse owner is $60,000
• The United States horse industry employs around 1.5 million people
• The horse racing industry has one of the biggest economic impacts to the United States economy

What are the Most Common Injuries from Horseback Riding?

Horseback riding can lead to a variety of injuries, from minor injuries like a minor cut to major injuries like traumatic brain injuries that could affect a person’s motor functions.

The amount of compensation you could receive is largely dependent on the injuries you have suffered, and the severity of these injuries.

• Traumatic brain injury: head injuries account for around 50% of horse related injuries.
• Broken bones (most common include broken shoulders, and broken wrist)
• Blindness
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Paralysis
• Concussions

How Do I Prove a Horseback Riding Accident Lawsuit?

Horseback riding accidents involve holding the negligent party accountable for their negligence. Negligence is a legal theory used to hold someone responsible for their actions. In order to prove negligence, you must show:

• The defendant (responsible party) had a duty to the plaintiff to act in a reasonably safe manner
• The defendant failed to act in a reasonably safe manner, and breached that duty
• Because the defendant failed to act in a reasonably safe manner, the plaintiff sustained injuries
• The plaintiff now has damages as a result of the injuries

An experienced horseback riding accident attorney will better assist you when proving each factor and making sure that you have enough evidence to prove each factor.

Examples Of Horseback Riding Lawsuits Include:

• When a horse trainer negligently trains their horse
• When a horse trainer does not provide adequate protection
• When a horse trainer does not provide adequate equipment to properly ride the horse
• When the horse trainer fails to train the horseback rider
• When the trainer assumes the horseback rider is experienced
• When the landowner fails to properly monitor the land for any potential dangers
• When a horse trainer allows their horse to continue giving rides to horseback Riders after the horse has engaged in dangerous Behavior
• When a product manufacturer creates a defective horseback riding equipment

Product Liability Claims in Horseback Riding

If you have been injured as a result of defective horseback riding equipment, you have the ability to hold the product manufacturer, along with the product retailer liable for any injuries suffered as a result of the defect. A defect means that the product was not suitable for sale and for use. The defect could be a design defect, manufacturing defect, or a warning defect.

This falls under a legal claim title products liability. Product liability is a strict liability claim, which means that all the plaintiff has to prove is that the product was defective.

What Kind of Compensation Could I Receive for a Horse Accident Lawsuit?

The different types of damages you could receive depend on the circumstances of the accident. Examples of compensation you could receive include

• Past lost wages
• Future lost wages
• Medical bills
• Hospital stays
• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Property damage

What Should I do if I Have Been Involved in a Horseback Riding Accident in California or Nevada?

If you have been involved in a horseback riding accident, there are specific steps you must take.

• Seek medical care immediately. Many injuries as a result of horseback riding accidents do not reveal themselves until several weeks later. Examples of severe injuries include traumatic brain injuries. It is also important to seek a medical care provider if you are going to file a lawsuit against the at fault party. This allows you to document as many medical records as possible to assist you in your horseback riding accident claim.
• Document your injuries as much as possible: the different types of documents that could help your claim are photos of the injury, along with any medical records.
• Gather as much evidence as possible regarding the accident, such as the landowner, the horse owner, and the horse trainer’s information. Other factors that our equestrian accident attorneys look into is the horse’s history of acting dangerously in the past.
• Contact an experienced and top-rated equestrian accident attorney immediately to seek compensation for any of the injuries suffered.

Wrongful Death Horseback Riding Accident Lawyer

If the horseback rider’s injuries led to death, then the victim’s family members could file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the decedent. You could file a wrongful death claim in both California and Nevada.

Wrongful-death laws allow the family member to stand in the shoes of the decedent and seek compensation for the injuries suffered. Examples of injuries the decedent could claim are lost wages, and medical bills. Other than what the decedent could receive, wrongful-death also allows family members to receive funeral expenses. It is very important that you hire an experienced wrongful death attorney to pursue any death claims that have resulted from the horseback riding injury.