A husband has filed suit against Arches National Park after his wife was tragically decapitated by an unsecured gate. Last summer, the couple was on a hiking trip to the park and attempting to leave the parking lot when an unsecured gate unexpectedly swung toward and struck their vehicle. According to the lawsuit, “the end of the lance-like gate pierced the side of their car and penetrated it like a hot knife through butter.”
Sadly, this is not the first accident of its kind at national parks. Prior gate accidents that impaled others spurred a warning letter that was sent to all national parks decades ago advising the parks of this particular danger and instructing each to ensure that all loose gates were secured or locked to prevent this sort of harm. According to the lawyer representing the husband of the victim, this accident could have been entirely prevented had an $8 padlock secured the gate from freely swinging into unsuspecting park visitors. National parks, like most other property owners, have duties to take reasonable measures to protect visitors and patrons from conditions that they know, or should know are dangerous.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, call Abraham Watkins today. It is imperative that you find a law firm to manage your claim as soon as possible following an incident of this nature. Further, it is important to find a skilled law firm with experience handling these cases to ensure that companies are held fully accountable. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is the oldest personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.