Horseback riding is an enjoyable and peaceful pastime for many New Yorkers. However, horseback riding carries its fair share of risks. Some studies suggest that riding a horse is more dangerous than playing football, skiing, and even motorcycle racing. Falling from a horse can result in devastating injuries, such as broken bones, fractured wrists, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), neck and back injuries, complete paralysis, and even wrongful death. Even when victims do not fall off horses, they can suffer bite, crush, and kick-related injuries. Estimates revealed that head injuries occur in as many as 48 percent of all equestrian accidents. Not to mention, in severe cases, horses can trample or fall on top of victims. Fully-grown horses often weigh up to one thousand pounds.
Horse-related injuries can have catastrophic consequences for both victims and their families. Permanent disability and life-altering disfigurement are not uncommon, and victims often require long-term medical care after their horseback riding accidents. You may recall when actor Christopher Reeve, best known for playing Superman, broke his neck after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition. The tragic incident, which shattered both his 1st and 2nd vertebrae, paralyzed him from the shoulders down. For the rest of Reeve’s life, he required day-and-night medical care and had to use a ventilator and wheelchair. Suppose that you, or a loved one, have suffered a severe injury while riding a horse that resulted from another’s recklessness or gross negligence. In that case, you should consult with an elite personal injury attorney. Although nothing can erase your pain and suffering, a highly experienced horseback riding accident lawyer can seek compensation to pay for the specialized treatment and rehabilitation that you deserve.
Common Factors That Lead to Horseback Riding Accidents
Each year, approximately seven million people go horseback riding in the United States. Horseback riding accidents and other mishaps can occur for assorted reasons. According to the National Institute of Health, most horse-related injuries take place when victims are mounted on horses. Like any activity involving animals, horses may exhibit erratic behavior during rides. Preventable injuries often happen because of irresponsible trainers, negligent stable owners, careless horse owners, and a lack of professionally trained staff. Elements that our elite equestrian injury attorneys frequently encounter include:
- Horses kicking riders or spectators;
- Horses biting riders or spectators;
- Accidents caused by bad leadership during group rides;
- Riders being given horses with unsuitable temperaments;
- Trainers permitting horses to continue giving rides after they have already engaged in dangerous behaviors, such as buckling or refusal;
- Riders suffering injuries because they were given damaged or defective equipment, like broken saddles or reins;
- Equestrians getting injured due to poor or uneven riding surfaces;
- Horses bucking riders off their backs;
- Horses stepping on riders that fell to the ground; and
- Horses that begin partaking in risky activities, such as sprinting off uncontrollably or running out.
WERE YOU, OR A FAMILY MEMBER, BRUTALLY INJURED IN A HORSEBACK RIDING ACCIDENT CAUSED BY SOMEONE ELSE’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE IN NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY?
CALL THE CAKANI LAW FIRM NOW TO OBTAIN THE HELP THAT YOU DESERVE!
Unfortunately, horseback riding injury claims are not always straightforward. Just because a horse injured someone does not automatically imply that they will be eligible for compensation. Every case is unique and based on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Due to equine law, The Cakani Law Firm can only assist you if there is gross negligence. To be considered gross negligence, the defendant’s behavior must involve “failure to use even slight care or conduct that is so careless as to show complete disregard for the right and safety of others.” This higher standard of negligence focuses on the extremeness of the defendant’s lack of reasonable care that caused your injury. For instance, if a trainer gives an inexperienced rider a horse that has a reputation for engaging in dangerous propensities. Another example would be the owner of a riding school placing a young child on a horse without a helmet.
New York law recognizes that there are a variety of dangers associated with riding horses. When engaging in equestrian-related activities, riders must assume inherent risks, such as getting kicked, falling off a horse while mounting, or even being thrown off. When determining if a victim appreciates the risks associated with horseback riding, their experience and skill must be considered. The risks assumed by a novice rider would be different than those of a professional equestrian. Nevertheless, the assumption of the risk does not prohibit compensation in cases involving intentional misconduct, recklessness, or concealment.
Your horse-related injuries must be adequately proven and successfully negotiated by a seasoned lawyer. Upon retaining The Cakani Law Firm, our battle-tested lawyers will launch a thorough investigation into your accident. Our elite personal injury attorneys are highly skilled at connecting horseback riding accidents to gross negligence by horse owners, trainers, riding schools, equestrian clubs, and stable owners.
