Skateboarding Accidents In Philadelphia

Skaters are generally pretty tough. It takes practice to learn new tricks, ride handrails, and master the halfpipe. This usually means a lot of falling and scraped hands, knees, and elbows. It may also mean a few broken bones, bruised ribs, or even a concussion. While much of this may be due to the nature of the sport, some injuries may be caused by another person’s negligence. When someone else causes an injury, they should be responsible for the damages. Your attorney can fight to get you the compensation you deserve after an injury accident.

Skateboarding has been around for decades and is still popular with young people across the country. Skaters are not welcomed in many parts of the city, especially around private buildings, schools, and parking lots. Many signs warn against skating, and all too many police officers and security guards are waiting to clear skaters away or give them citations.

Causes of Skateboarding Accidents

However, many skaters take advantage of the urban landscape and a number of public skateparks in Philadelphia. The FDR Skate Park is a legendary skate park underneath I-95. Paine’s Park has another skate park along the Schuylkill near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At these, and other skate parks across the city, skaters can hone their skills.

Skateboarding accidents can be caused by a number of factors. When a pedestrian, runner, or cyclist is not watching where they are going and step right into the path of a skater, they may cause a collision between the two. This could even result in a serious injury. The other person will almost always blame the skater, even if they are on a public sidewalk. However, if the other person was responsible, they should be responsible for the damages.

Cars may also cause accidents with skaters. Many drivers are not watching out for skateboarders or other pedestrians crossing the street, even if they are in a crosswalk. The driver may be texting, looking the other way, speeding, or fail to stop at the signal, hitting the skater. An accident with a car can lead to serious injuries, including permanent damage from head trauma or a neck injury. The driver will likely blame the skater even though the driver recklessly caused the accident.

Other injuries are caused by hazardous conditions on the property. A crack in the sidewalk can stop the skateboard causing the rider to fall off at speed, leading to an injury. A handrail in disrepair can come loose, causing the rider to fall and lead to an accident. While some skateboarders think they have no recourse after such an injury, the property owner may be liable.

In some cases, even the skateboard itself may be a hazard. Due to a manufacturing defect or design defect, a deck or trucks can crack, causing the rider to fall. If the skateboard injury was caused by a product defect, the injured skater may be able to file a claim against the skateboard company or parts manufacturer.

Skateboarding Injuries

Most skateboard injuries are minor and may heal up within a couple of weeks. However, some injuries can be serious or even life-threatening. Some serious injuries are ignored by the skater at the time as something minor. Unfortunately, many serious injuries including head, neck or back trauma, may not be immediately apparent. It may take a few hours or even days to realize that a serious injury has occurred.

Some of the most serious skateboarding injuries include falls that result in a blow to the head. This can include hitting their head on an object or the ground. Unfortunately, many skaters do not wear helmets regularly, which can prevent or reduce the harm from head injuries. A head injury can result in a concussion, lead to internal bleeding, or cause permanent brain damage.

Other serious injuries include broken bones, back injuries, neck injuries, lacerations, bruises, broken ribs, and puncture wounds. Even a minor cut can become infected, especially if it is not properly cleaned and dressed. After any injury, the skater should seek medical attention to make sure the injury can be properly treated.

A skateboard injury can require emergency medical treatment, surgery, hospital admission, and continuing care. This can result in expensive medical bills and ongoing treatment costs. Additionally, an injury victim may not be able to work due to their injury, and even lose their job. The victim may also have to suffer permanent disability, pain and suffering. With so much at stake, those responsible for causing the injury should be held accountable.

Skateboarding Injury Legal Claims

After an accident, the injured skateboarder or their family may be left with expensive medical bills, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. Through filing a civil lawsuit, the victims can seek compensation for their damages. Talk to an experienced Philadelphia injury attorney about your case and how you can get compensation.

Skateboarders often avoid filing a legal claim because they do not know they may have a case. They may think that because another person, driver, or property owner blamed them for the accident, they have no recourse. Or they may believe that because they were in a public skate park, no one is responsible for the accident. However, if another person, driver, or property owner is negligent, they may be liable for the damages.

Philadelphia Skateboarding Accident Attorneys

If your son or daughter was injured while skateboarding, you may have a legal claim for medical bills, pain and suffering, or other damages. Talk to an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you determine if you have a claim. They will fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. You should not have to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. Do not hesitate to contact Gilman & Bedigian today for a free consultation.