On 22nd March a 23-year-old skateboarder was struck by a car driven by a 73-year-old in west suburban Geneva. The driver said the road had poor lighting which resulted in the crash with the skateboarder.
The skateboarder who was critically injured was struck at around 8:10 p.m. in the 1500 block of Crissey Avenue, also known as Route 25. No charges had been filed against the driver but the investigation was ongoing.
Due to the pleasant weather skateboarding is popular in Southern California all year long. Several Californians do skateboarding for both recreation and transportation purposes.
Many students go to school on skateboards, several employees also skate to work, while most have fun by skateboarding with friends and family. Unfortunately each year 30 individuals lose their lives in skateboarding accidents, and in most cases, they are skateboard car accidents.
Skateboarding California Laws
Though each city or county has its own set of laws related to skateboarding in California, it is compulsory across the state for all skateboarders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet.
Automobile drivers are required to pay special attention to pedestrian activity including skateboarders. There are laws for regulating the use of skateboards on sidewalks, especially motorized skateboards. There are regulations for use of skateboards on steep roads too.
Below mentioned are some tips to help prevent skateboarding injuries:
- Always wear a helmet even if you are above 18 years and are not required to wear it as per law. Helmets can protect the head from an injury in case of a fall or crash.
- Wear other protective gear like elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, etc. to protect the bones from breaking or fractures in case of a fall.
- Avoid skateboarding in high traffic areas. Roads or freeways having a lot of vehicles is not ideal for skateboarding.
What are the common injuries sustained in skateboarding accidents?
Whether a skateboarder is injured in a skateboard car crash vehicle or is hurt while avoiding a direct hit or crash, they can sustain injuries like abrasions, lacerations, dislocations, fractures, or broken bones in different parts of the body like head, nose, jaws, arms, legs, ankles, ribs, pelvis, etc.
They may suffer from internal bleeding, organ or nerve damage, permanent scarring, or disfigurement. In serious cases, the victims may suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and psychological trauma. In some cases, the patient can go into a coma or lose their life due to the serious injuries sustained.
The cost of treatment for skateboarding injuries can be huge. If the victim loses his job or does not get paid due to his inability to work, it becomes more difficult to manage. Experienced personal injury lawyers can help you recover damages from the liable party.
Who is Liable for Skateboarding Accidents?
In some situations, the Skateboarders themselves are liable for the injuries sustained in a skateboarding accident. However, there are several instances where skateboarding accidents are a result of the negligence of others.
The laws applicable to pedestrians when walking on sidewalks or crosswalks are applicable to skateboarders too. The laws protect skateboarders on the streets of Southern California.
The liability of a skateboard accident is determined on a case-by-case basis. Different parties can be liable due to their negligence. Some of the parties who can be held liable depending on the situation are:
- The driver of the car/automobile
- Owner of a skate park
- Government agency responsible for maintaining sidewalks
- Skateboarding making company for producing defective skateboard equipment
Determining the responsible party in a skateboarding accident is a complex process. Skateboarding is a fundamentally dangerous activity if done irresponsibly, but there are many instances where the skateboarder is not liable for their accident.
An experienced skateboarding accident lawyer can help you determine the parties liable for a skateboard accident. The lawyer will help understand the rights of the skateboarding accident victim.
If the victim of the skateboarding accident is not liable for their injuries, they may be entitled to receive monetary compensation. The amount of compensation may include:
- Medical expenses and cost of hospitalization
- Physical Pain and suffering experienced
- Mental anguish and agony
- Loss of wages or income due to the injuries
- Loss of consortium
Consulting a Skateboarding Accident Lawyer
If you or your family member has been a victim of a skateboarding accident because of the negligence of others, you are entitled to monetary compensation. Consult an experienced accident lawyer to understand your rights and what you’re entitled to.
Our team of experienced and well-qualified personal injury lawyers at Khashan Law has handled many skateboard accident cases in California. We can help investigate the accident and gather the required evidence.
We can represent you and handle communications with the insurance company and liable parties. We can help negotiate a favorable settlement for you or take the case to trial. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation today.