Skateboarding Accidents In DC

The internet is full of skateboarding videos showing hard landings, broken bones, and gruesome injuries. However, a real life skateboarding accident can lead to serious injury. Injured skaters may be facing expensive medical bills, lost days off of work, scarring, and long-term injuries. While some people think skateboarding carries inherent dangers, some accidents are caused by the negligence of another. The person responsible for the accident may be liable to compensate the injured skater for their injuries.

Skateboarding has been a popular activity for young people since the 1970s. However, with a few exceptions, skateboarding is still seen as a fringe activity. Many skateboarders face harassment from security guards and police officers. Banned from schools, public buildings, shopping areas, and even parking lots, skaters may have nowhere to skate except for public skateparks.

Skateboarding injuries can be caused by any number of things. Often, a skateboard injury is caused by the skater falling off the board, landing on the ground. Other accidents involve skateboarders getting injured when trying to land a trick off a jump or down a stair rail. However, not all injuries are the fault of the skater.

Other injuries can be caused by a pedestrian, cyclist, or runner colliding with the skater. Some injuries occur between motor vehicles and skaters. After these types of accidents, the other person involved may blame the skateboarder for causing the accident even if the other person is to blame. Runners or cyclists may not be looking out for others because they are listening to headphones. Drivers may be speeding or not yielding to others in a crosswalk.

Some skateboard injuries may be caused by a dangerous property condition. Broken cement, uneven surfaces, or property in poor repair can cause a skater to fall, resulting in serious injury. These properties may have signs against skateboarding, and an injured skater may think they have no legal recourse. However, a sign preventing skateboarding may not be enough for a property owner to avoid fixing dangerous features on their property.

Injuries Caused by Skateboarding Accidents

Any experienced skater has faced injuries. Luckily, most injuries involve a simple scrape, wrist injury, or sprain. However, even a simple skateboarding accident can lead to more serious injuries. The type of injury may depend on the speed they are traveling, type of surface, how they landed, and whether they are wearing a helmet.

Most skateboarders do not wear helmets on a regular basis. The exception may be when skating at a skate park that requires the use of helmets. One reason for this is because the use of a helmet greatly reduces the risk of serious head injury. However, even a helmet may not protect a rider from broken bones, back injury, neck injury, lacerations, broken ribs, or internal injuries.

Serious skateboarding injuries can require emergency medical treatment, surgery, and ongoing care. An injured skater may be unable to work for days, lose their job, and continue to suffer pain and immobility. If the injury was caused by the negligence of another, the injured victim should not have to suffer. They deserve compensation for their injuries from those responsible.

Skateboarding Injury Claims

Many skateboarders never file an injury claim after an accident. They may blame themselves for the injury or they may not understand how to file a personal injury claim. They may also worry that they have to chance against another driver or property owner because everyone will suspect the skater was at fault. However, an injured skateboarder should not have to suffer because of someone else’s negligence.

A skateboard injury may leave the victim and their family with expensive medical bills, lost time from school or work, and permanent injuries. The driver, cyclist, pedestrian, or property owner who caused the accident should be held responsible for the damages. An experienced personal injury attorney will represent your interests and fight to get you compensation for your injuries no matter what the other people claim.

D.C. Skateboarding Accident Attorneys

If you or your child were injured while skateboarding, you may have a legal claim for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Talk to an experienced Washington D.C. personal injury attorney to help you determine if you have a claim. They will fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Your personal injury attorney will help guide you through the claims process and advise you of your options. You should not have to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. Do not hesitate to call Gilman & Bedigian today for a free consultation.