Skateboarding is a common pastime and inexpensive mode of transportation that's especially popular among children, teens, and young adults. Unfortunately, it's not without risks. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 98,000 people are treated for skateboarding injuries in hospital emergency rooms each year in the United States.
Most skateboarding injuries are not the result of the negligence of anyone. However, other injuries are directly due to the negligence of another. Some of these situations include a motorist striking a skateboarder while entering an intersection or crossing the street, turning into a skateboarder at a corner, or driving to too close to a skateboarder along the street. Other situations include pedestrians or bicyclists disrupting the skateboarder's pathway or significant damage to a public or private sidewalk causing an unexpected fall.
A big challenge for a skateboarder in proving damages in court is overcoming the natural bias people have against skateboarders. Disrupting the bias and securing an impartial jury is critical to get a fair shot at proving liability, causation, and damages, the three elements required to be proven to secure a financial recovery.
When a negligent person or entity causes an accident with a skateboarder, the victim may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of economic and non-economic losses. If you, or your child, were hurt in a California skateboarding accident, the skilled personal injury attorneys with the Inland Empire Law Group can help you protect your rights and recover fair compensation. Our office has successfully handled several skateboarding injury claims securing policy limit settlements for our clients.
Common Injuries Associated With Skateboarding Accidents
Whether they're struck by a vehicle or hurt while taking evasive action to avoid a direct hit, skateboarders are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of an accident, including:
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Abrasions
- Strains
- Dislocations
- Fractured or broken bones (commonly affected body parts include the nose, jaw, arms, wrists, elbows, legs, ankles, knees, shoulders, ribs, and pelvis)
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (that may result in paralysis)
- Coma
- Psychological trauma
- Death
The cost of treatment for these and other skateboarding injuries can quickly become unmanageable. Medical expenses are just one type of damages our attorneys can help you recover.
Potential Damages
Severe injuries and losses can translate to sizable settlements and financial awards. However, the greater the size of the potential recovery, the harder you can expect the at-fault party's insurance company to fight against compensating you fairly. At the Inland Empire Law Group, we shield you from unfair insurance tactics and gather the evidence necessary to build a strong case for damages. We may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Accident-related medical expenses (including ambulance transportation, emergency care, hospitalizations, visits with doctors and specialists, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, accessibility modifications, medically-necessary travel costs, and more)
- Wages lost while out of work recovering from your injuries
- Loss of earning capacity if you're no longer able to work
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Severe scarring or disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
In cases where the at-fault party's conduct was particularly egregious, such as an intentional act, a judge or jury may also award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the responsible party, rather than compensate you for a specific loss.
Protecting Your Right to Recovery
What you do in the aftermath of a skateboarding accident can affect your ability to recover compensation. Here's what you can do to protect your rights:
- Call the police to report the accident and request an ambulance, if necessary.
- Take photos of the accident scene and get contact information from witnesses. If you're too severely injured to gather evidence, ask a friend, family member, or an attorney for assistance.
- Seek immediate medical attention and dutifully follow the treatment plan your doctor prescribes.
- Avoid providing a recorded statement or medical records release to the insurance company without first consulting an attorney.
- Involve a personal injury attorney in your case as soon as possible. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner they can get to work on your behalf.
Request a Complimentary Consultation
After an injury due to a skateboarding accident in the Golden State, there's far too much at stake to go it alone. You need the representation of a skilled personal injury attorney who can investigate the accident, help gather and preserve essential evidence, handle communications between you and the insurance company, negotiate a favorable settlement offer, or take your case to trial.
At the Inland Empire Law Group, we've helped many injury victims recover compensation caused by another person or company's negligence. We may be able to do the same for you. Contact us today at (888) 694-3529, (909) 481-0100, or by submitting your case in one of the forms on our website to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation.
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