is it ever ok to sue a Track ?

500guy
Posts
12468
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 9:15am
Just wondering

Seems to come up a bunch and I agree the main responsibility is the riders.

So when if ever is it ok to sue ?

What if someone left a piece of equipment on the track or someone Vandalized the track ?

What about letting Quads ride with Bikes or worse Mini bikes ?
|
wpcjs
Posts
956
Joined
1/11/2007
Location
Yorkville, IL, USA
2/15/2008 1:33pm
I would say maybe in the RR17 situation, if I am out ridding in an open practice I would like to be able to assume that no one is going to drive a traktor out on the track behind a blind jump.

The Shop

Rooster
Posts
4432
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edmonton, CA
2/15/2008 2:05pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
If there was willful negligence on the part of the track operator that caused a "serious" safety issue, like equipment on the track during practice or a race then for sure. If I wanted to ride a round in a free for all I'd ride in gravel pits. Where I've been in a couple of head on incidents BTW. You expect the other side of the jumps to be free of Dozers. Maybe not downed riders and bikes, but dozers for sure.
Moto East Mag
Posts
3462
Joined
9/4/2006
Location
Arlington, VA, USA
2/15/2008 2:17pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
[quote="flarider":3d4hyvpk]http://www.motodrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=759722#p759722[/quote:3d…]

Wow, that's ironic. The pics in that thread look like they are from Tomahawk, WV. I am going riding there tomorrow.
I also broke my femur in '03 on the jump that pack of bikes is about to hit. And no, I didn't sue!
2/15/2008 2:29pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
[quote="Rooster":q2t4ze9q]If there was willful negligence on the part of the track operator that caused a "serious" safety issue, like equipment on the track during practice or a race then for sure. [/quote:q2t4ze9q]

Pretty much this.

If it was impossible for the injured party to reasonably foresee the problem and those in charge of the facility could have reasonably prevented the problem, then a lawsuit could be justified. The issue is what is reasonable.

If you see something (a giant sinkhole, a huge tractor parked right next to the track, quads practicing with minibikes, naked Mexicans sleeping on the face of a jump, whatever) that you think is unsafe but choose to ride anyway, that factor is just another assumption of risk. You can pack up and go elsewhere, you can complain about the situation, or you can take the chance.
CamP
Posts
6826
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Colleyville, TX, USA
2/15/2008 3:14pm
Static hazards, like trees, rocks, roots, gullys, cliffs, track markers, etc. should never be grounds for a lawsuit on a track. About the only thing that I see as grounds for a lawsuit is a piece of track equipment being driven into a blind spot on a hot track.
TJ 755
Posts
1893
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
North Bend, WA, USA
2/15/2008 3:18pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
I see "ShoujoKakumei "
I read "Shouldjubukkakeme"

Just sayin'......... <img class= " title="Smile">
WhKnuckle
Posts
7327
Joined
7/17/2007
Location
USA
2/15/2008 3:24pm
I'm with CamP. With that said, the situations in which I think it's OK to sue are so outrageously irresponsible that I've never heard of a legit situation.

By the way - a guy sued a track down here in Houston in (if memory serves) 1999. It has finally come to a head and, believe me, the track owner wound up with nothing, the injured party wound up with nothing, and the local riders have one fewer track to ride on now - and the track in question was my personal favorite, a track I've been riding for over 30 years, and which is almost hallowed ground to me. It's closed now and there's a distinct possibility that it'll never reopen. The moral of the story is, if you wake up in the hospital with a lawyer telling you you're gonna get rich suing a track - throw him out of the room with whichever arm remains unbroken.

In lawsuits like that, where there's no insurance company to provide a deep pocket (and often even if there is insurance because the insurance probably won't pay off), nobody gets anything except a few lawyers.
WhKnuckle
Posts
7327
Joined
7/17/2007
Location
USA
2/15/2008 3:28pm
BTW, I'm under no illusion that there are such things as tracks that are dangerous. There are two different tracks here in the Houston area that I unloaded, rode a few laps, and loaded right back up. Both of them had sections that were so dangerous I wouldn't even ride there. Both of them had fatalities within 6 months - and both of them are closed now.
Racer92
Posts
17965
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Central, TX, USA
2/15/2008 4:45pm
Why did Mills Road close?
WhKnuckle
Posts
7327
Joined
7/17/2007
Location
USA
2/15/2008 6:13pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
[quote="Racer92":3ceabr7v]Why did Mills Road close?[/quote:3ceabr7v]
I don't know for sure, but I think that was leased property - I wasn't thiking of that one, I was thinking of Gator MX in Willis and one other that I'm sure you know about. And of course the one that closed after such a long legal battle was our beloved Rio Bravo. Nobody really knows whether it'll ever open again, and that's a crime against motocross history. And, frankly, all for nothing.
2/16/2008 12:07am
The only even remote possibility would be the tractor on a hot track deal. Even then I would be more inclined to go after the guy IN the tractor and not the track. ANYTHING else is up to you to be responsible for. Dangerous jump, you decide to hit it or not. A hole to China in turn 2, you decide to go around or chance it. A jump over an aligator pit, again your choice. No one is holding a gun to your head and making you ride it!!
bd
Posts
6046
Joined
4/6/2007
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
2/16/2008 1:12am
I think the RR situation (circa 2002) is a good example when a rider could sue.

[b:2isfe3su]Rider error, such as RC 16, is never a reason to sue.

Bike malfunction is never a reason to sue.

Obstacle is never a reason to sue[/b:2isfe3su]

I do think track owners need to use their noodle too. Some are far better than others. If you see/ hear about injuries due to a track outline (example spikes) or practice procedure (mini bikes with big bikes) change the procedure. Lead and use common sense.

98% of it is the riders responsibility.
Rim Lock
Posts
713
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Nikiski, USA
2/16/2008 3:08am
Jay,

It is a great question that you asked but I will reply with my own as I always have.

If you didn't think it was dangerous, then why did you put a helmet on before you went out there?
Spinner
Posts
3198
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Fayettenam, AR, USA
2/16/2008 10:50am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
[quote="lostboy819":22bu7wtr]NOPE.[/quote:22bu7wtr]

Why not exactly? Explain.
Spinner
Posts
3198
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Fayettenam, AR, USA
2/16/2008 10:53am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:11pm
[quote="bd":d9thkkie]I think the RR situation (circa 2002) is a good example when a rider could sue.
[/quote:d9thkkie]
Way too many politics for that to have happened.
Maybe some day, the truth will be told 100% regarding that whole deal.
Like someone once asked, "What if it had been RC and not RR that hit a quad on the track during practice?". You bet your ass the end result would have been much different.
7/26/2008 9:03pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:47pm
WhKnuckle wrote:
[quote="Racer92":3ceabr7v]Why did Mills Road close?[/quote:3ceabr7v] I don't know for sure, but I think that was leased property - I wasn't thiking of that one, I was...
[quote="Racer92":3ceabr7v]Why did Mills Road close?[/quote:3ceabr7v]
I don't know for sure, but I think that was leased property - I wasn't thiking of that one, I was thinking of Gator MX in Willis and one other that I'm sure you know about. And of course the one that closed after such a long legal battle was our beloved Rio Bravo. Nobody really knows whether it'll ever open again, and that's a crime against motocross history. And, frankly, all for nothing.
good new WhKnuckle... Rio is going to re-open! got this from HMX....

Sorry for the late notice, but the track owner just called me and the Rio cleanup effort will begin this Sunday.

For all you Moto fans of Rio, this is the begining of Rio's resurrection. Come out Sunday startting at 8am, bring any tools, open trailers, mowers, weed-eaters, bush-hogs and muscles. There will be no riding, so don't bother bringing your bikes.

When you get there, look up Brian Darnell. He will be heading up the restoration project and is the man in charge.

You won't believe the plans these guys have for the place. The good news is, the new owner is a rider, is a very successful businessman so he has the resources to get the job done.

Now, let's show Houston we're behind the oldest track in America.


LET'S RIDE!!
`ol Ger
Posts
6269
Joined
7/15/2007
Location
Piqua, OH, USA
7/26/2008 9:04pm
NO.


Next question please...
Mod Killer
Posts
1827
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Worldwide, CA, USA
7/26/2008 9:09pm
buyer fucking beware. as in, the answer is NO.

take responsibility for the situation u put urself in or take ur chances with natural selection. end of story.
7/26/2008 9:38pm
If the track owner starts using riders as target practice, then it's OK to sue.
If the track owner decides to disk the track in the middle of a moto, get a lawyer.

Otherwise it's not ok.
gt80rider
Posts
7285
Joined
4/19/2008
Location
Boulder, CO, USA
7/26/2008 10:47pm
"If the track owner decides to disk the track in the middle of a moto, get a lawyer."

There is Never a reason to sue a track..... if they are disking in the middle of a moto, pull off, or pass the john deere.... if the owner is shooting at the riders with his 30-30, pull alongside a D rider till you are out of range....

if you wanna be 100% safe, stay at home and watch ESPN2 all day.... if you wanna race... check out the track, and either pay your money and race, or load back up, and check out a different track next time....
JYZ566
Posts
241
Joined
4/15/2008
Location
Saint Peters, MO, USA
7/26/2008 11:18pm
If you said it's never ok to sue then you are a moron.

Blind jump + tractor= lawsuit. Very nearly had it happen to me, and you bet your ass I would've sued.

Other examples are eluding me, but the hot track and tractor thing sticks out.

Other than that, ride at your own risk.
Phlapjax
Posts
1139
Joined
3/21/2008
Location
USA
7/26/2008 11:21pm
People nowadays want to sue if their nacho cheese isn't the right tempature.
Yamaha336
Posts
1219
Joined
5/2/2008
Location
Woodstock, IL, USA
7/26/2008 11:45pm
500guy wrote:
Just wondering Seems to come up a bunch and I agree the main responsibility is the riders. So when if ever is it ok to sue...
Just wondering

Seems to come up a bunch and I agree the main responsibility is the riders.

So when if ever is it ok to sue ?

What if someone left a piece of equipment on the track or someone Vandalized the track ?

What about letting Quads ride with Bikes or worse Mini bikes ?
You know, that is a tricky and very good question. Especially if it actually involves a serious injury and could have plainly been avoided. I had an accident on a track and the owner was really cool about it. I came over a table top and his son had just dropped his bike at the base of the jump. I hit the bike and it completely smashed my PC pipe on my CR250. His dad ponied up 200 bucks on the spot to replace it.

I was at a race one time and one of the guys on the track crew decoded to keep watering during a moto. This guy was completely soaking the whoops and a guy came through the section got sprayed in the face and crashed his brains out. Broke his collar bone and his left wrist. The guy was laying there in the whoops so they had to red flag the race. I could understand that guy wanting to sue.
jmar
Posts
14154
Joined
2/11/2007
Location
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
7/27/2008 12:18am
500guy wrote:
Just wondering Seems to come up a bunch and I agree the main responsibility is the riders. So when if ever is it ok to sue...
Just wondering

Seems to come up a bunch and I agree the main responsibility is the riders.

So when if ever is it ok to sue ?

What if someone left a piece of equipment on the track or someone Vandalized the track ?

What about letting Quads ride with Bikes or worse Mini bikes ?
Although I totally disagree with almost all of the frivolous lawsuits you see today, I don’t believe any of us knows how we would react if we lost a loved one at the track or had a kid suffer a life changing injury.

That’s a very tough question Jay
Racetime
Posts
867
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
7/27/2008 6:26am
It's only OK when BoobyM, EI Dave and 500guy all agree it's OK.

Smile
123
Posts
840
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Sparta, WI, USA
7/27/2008 6:30am
Phlapjax wrote:
People nowadays want to sue if their nacho cheese isn't the right tempature.
That kind of shit isn't something to joke around about.
typ2vw159
Posts
1002
Joined
10/4/2007
Location
Mototown, CA, USA
7/27/2008 7:04am
Track owners hiring tweekers and carney,s Who have never rode a bike or a tooth brush.to get people to work for them.SO remember ride at your own risk.Most of the tracks do this.IMO sue a track is all good if thay are at fault!!!Track owner,s know the risk DUH!!!!!

Post a reply to: is it ever ok to sue a Track ?

The Latest