A longboard is a form of sports equipment that is similar, though not identical, to a skateboard. Due to the design of the longboard, a skilled rider can hit far higher speeds on it than can a person on a traditional skateboard. Skateboarding has long been popular throughout California, but in recent years, the popularity of longboarding has surged.

It must be noted that skateboards and longboards have the potential to be dangerous. Proper care must always be used by riders. According to a report cited by Live Science, longboarders face a significantly higher injury risk than do skateboarders. In far too many cases, California longboarders are injured by the careless actions of other parties, including by negligent drivers, property owners, and product manufacturers.

At Fisher & Talwar, our top-rated Los Angeles skateboard accident attorneys have the skills and experience needed to help injured victims get full and fair compensation for their damages. If you were hurt in a skateboarding or longboarding accident in California, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm today for a free legal consultation.

Most Common Skateboarding & Longboarding Accident Injuries

Skateboarding accident injuries come in a wide variety of different forms. In some cases, riders can escape a fall with little more than a few bumps and bruises. In other cases, an accident that may not have appeared to be serious can result in truly devastating injuries. Notably, longboarders are at especially heightened risk of suffering head injuries. According to a study published in the United States Library of Medicine, longboarders are far more likely to sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) than are skateboarders. When riding either a longboard or skateboard, it is crucial that you wear the proper headgear. Our accident attorneys have handled personal injury cases involving a wide range of different injuries. Some common skateboarding accident injuries include:

  • Deep bruises
  • Lacerations
  • Road rash
  • Broken bones
  • Torn ligaments
  • Muscle injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Mouth injuries, including broken teeth
  • Concussions
  • Disfigurement
  • Spinal cord damages
  • Fatalities

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Skateboard Accident

To hold a defendant legally responsible for your accident injuries, you must establish that they were to blame for the wreck. More specifically, California rules require the victim to be able to prove that:

1. The defendant was negligent;
2. The victim sustained actual harm in the accident; and
3. The defendant’s negligence was a factor in causing the harm.

Of course, what actions (or inactions) constitute negligence will vary widely depending on the underlying circumstances of the skateboarding/longboarding accident case being litigated. For the most part, skateboarding/longboarding accident claims fit into one of three categories: traffic accidents, property owner negligence claims, and defective product claims. Here, our accident attorneys explain what you need to know about these three types of personal injury claims.

Motor Vehicle Accident Claims

Unlike skateboards, longboards are not frequently used in designated parks. Instead, they are most often used on public roads. Longboarders have every right to use the roads in Los Angeles. California drivers have to take proper care to look out for the safety of longboard riders. Unfortunately, not all motorists in the Los Angeles area drive safely. If you were riding a longboard, and you were injured in a Los Angeles car accident, you may be able to bring a claim against the responsible driver’s insurance company. If your longboarding accident occurred because of the reckless or careless conduct of the driver, then you are entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.

Premises Liability Claims

While less common than car accident claims, injured skateboarders may also be able to bring a premises liability claim against a negligent business or property owner. These types of accident claims can be especially complex. If you believe that your accident occurred because of the negligent actions of a property owner, you should consult with an experienced premises liability lawyer immediately. Your lawyer will be able to help you review your accident and assess your legal options. If the property owner created a dangerous situation, and that safety hazard contributed to your accident, you deserve financial compensation.

Product Liability Claims

Companies that manufacture and sell longboards and longboarding accessories have a legal duty to ensure that they are only putting safe products onto the market. If your injury occurred because your longboard or longboarding equipment was defective, you should consult with an experienced Los Angeles product liability attorney as soon as possible. You may able to hold the negligent company legally liable for your longboarding accident injuries.

Compensation Available to Skateboarding Accident Victims

If you or a family member was hurt in a California skateboarding accident, and another party was at fault, you are owed full and fair financial compensation. In order to obtain a full settlement offer, you will be required to prove the value of the losses. In California, damages are designed to be compensatory. Insurance companies often try to push victims into lowball settlement offers by undervaluing their damages. You should be prepared to work with a skilled skateboarding accident attorney who can prepare a strong legal case on your behalf. You deserve full compensation. Our California longboarding/skateboarding lawyers may be able to help you get money for:

  • Longboard/skateboard replacement
  • Ambulance fees
  • Emergency room costs
  • Ongoing medical treatment
  • Medical equipment
  • In-home medical services
  • Disability
  • Lost wages current and future wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent physical impairment
  • Loss of life enjoyment
  • Wrongful death

Contact Our Skateboarding Accident Lawyers for Help

Our legal team is ready to help. Our legal team is ready to help. At Fisher & Talwar, our dedicated accident lawyers have the skills and experience needed to handle your accident claim. To request a free, no-obligation review of your case, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm today by calling (213) 318-3081. With an office in the heart of Los Angeles, we serve injured victims throughout all of California.